What are ‘biomass’ and ‘bioenergy’?
Biomass has become an important renewable energy source in Australia and throughout the world. Biomass is any material derived from plants or from animal sources. It is a form of chemical energy, which is energy stored in the bonds of atoms and molecules. This chemical energy in biomass is converted into other forms of energy to be used by mankind.
Click here to enlarge image - Above - How the sun's energy is converted by photosynthesis into chemical energy in the form of glucose - or plant sugars.
Traditional biomass energy sources, including wood, provided about 14 per cent of the world’s primary energy supplies in 2005. Biomass sources supply about nine per cent of Australia’s stationery (non-transport) energy needs. In the United States, biomass was the second-most common form of renewable energy in 2005, providing enough electricity to power more than two million homes.
Above -Types of biomass that can be changed into energy sources.
Bioenergy comes from biomass. Bioenergy is the conversion of chemical energy – which is stored in the biomass - into an industrially useful form, such as heat or electricity. Through bioenergy, we can produce electricity from biomass materials such as trees, grass cuttings, sugars and vegetables. However, the practical development of bioenergy is still relatively costly.
 Next Section >> How can we use biomass?
^ back to top ^
|
