Biomass Energy

Anna Schuplinsky Hanah Antoo Matt Ferrer Leah Harris

Timeline1900Vegetable oil is used as

a diesel fuel when Rudolf Diesel shows

that a diesel engine can run on peanut oil. 1930-1940

Kerosene and fuel oil begin to replace wood as primary energy source.

After World War II, the ethanol fuel industry closes down in the United

States, with the arrival of low-priced, abundant petroleum fuels.

Electricity and natural gas displace wood heat in most homes and commercial buildings.

Governments begin to fund research into converting biomass into useful energy and

fuels. Companies such as Chevron, Texaco and Amoco Oil Company begin to market ethanol-

blended fuels to U.S. consumers.

1950

Governments begin to fund research into converting biomass into useful energy and fuels.

Companies such as Chevron, Texaco and Amoco Oil Company begin to market ethanol-blended fuels to

U.S. consumers.

Biomass power plants are built in North America.

1970-1980

A survey of 133 countries by the International Energy Agency

shows that the biomass share of total energy consumption is 10.5

per cent.

2000

What is Biomass?Biomass is the process of converting organic matter and waste into energy,

such as firewood, coal, stored solar energy, etc.

How is biomass converted?

Biomass, such as corn, is converted into carbon

dioxide and alcohol using a type a bacteria. This

produces ethanol and the ethanol is used as a

byproduct of gasoline

How is biomass beneficial?

Biomass, or biopower, can reduce our dependence on foreign oil, enhancing our economic and national security.

What are the environmental benefits?

Biomass energy would save land from being made into residential or industrial

areas. Decrease waste going into

landfills Reduce carbon dioxide in

atmosphere

How much biomass is there?

Biomass is a renewable energy source.Its supply is endless.

What is the future of biomass?

In the future the hope for biomass energy is to completely get rid of our

dependency on oil.The U.S. has enough land, resources, and

agricultural infrastructure to shift a portion of our energy requirements to

the biomass sector.

What are the economic benefits?

• $50 billion a year is spent importing oil. • Biomass will save $25 billion each year.• For every million gallons of ethanol :

17, 000 jobs are created.

How effective is biomass?

• Using waste instead of storing it in landfills• Saving land and having more open space• Saving money by using biomass energy

instead of using expensive and oil

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http://www.everythingbiomass.org/research/84-biomass-conversion>.• "Biomass Energy Facts - Interesting Energy Facts." Energy Sources, Renewable and Non-renewable Energy -

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• Biomass Energy Resource Center. Web. 31 Jan. 2012. <http://www.biomasscenter.org/>.• "Biomass." Hawaii's Energy Future. Web. 31 Jan. 2012. <

http://www.hawaiisenergyfuture.com/articles/Biomass.html>.• "Biomass." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 31 Jan. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biomass>.• "Centre for Energy : History." Centre for Energy : About Energy. Web. 31 Jan. 2012. <

http://www.centreforenergy.com/AboutEnergy/Biomass/History.asp>.• "EIA Energy Kids - Biomass." U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Web. 31 Jan. 2012. <

http://www.eia.gov/kids/energy.cfm?page=biomass_home-basics>.• "NRDC: Renewable Energy for America: Biomass." Natural Resources Defense Council – The Earth’s Best Defense

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• "Renewable Energy: Biomass Energy :: Environmental Facts :: Young People's Trust for the Environment." Young People's Trust for the Environment - Information for Kids on the Environment, Climate Change and Wildlife. Web. 31 Jan. 2012. <http://www.ypte.org.uk/environmental/renewable-energy-biomass-energy/94>.

• "Renewable Energy, Biomass Energy." Alternative Energy - Wind, Solar, Hydro and Other Alt Energy Sources for Home Power. Web. 31 Jan. 2012. <http://www.altenergy.org/renewables/biomass.html>.