In 1982, electricity was first produced through sources of biomass (Alternate Energy

Source Info, unfolding the improvements of biomass history). The use of biomass is another way

to create energy using a renewable source. Biomass energy production primarily uses plants or a

byproduct of plants or animals. Biomass is used in a variety of energy producing plants, like

wood combustion, cogeneration, wood gasification, agricultural products, solid waste, biogas,

landfills, alcohol fuel, and biodiesel, which produce energy through similar processes. Biomass

energy production is used for residential, agricultural, small commercial and industrial

applications, utilities, electric cooperatives and independent power producers

In the wood combustion process, wood is burned to heat a boiler. The boiler is heated to

very high temperature to convert water into steam. The steam goes through a pipe that travels to

a turbine. The stream’s force then turns a turbine creating mechanical power. This mechanical

power then turns a generator creating electricity. The electricity goes in through a power cable

where it travels to a transformer, where the voltage levels are modified to match the power grid.

This wood combustion process can be combined in a cogeneration application to provide steam

heating as well. Another process that also uses wood is wood gasification, in which the wood is

heated to very high temperature with very little oxygen so that the wood does not burn. At these

high temperatures, the wood releases carbon monoxide and hydrogen, which are then mixed with

oxygen. The combined gas is then ignited to heat the boiler and continue the same process as

wood combustion. (The Earth Project)

Agricultural energy production is very similar to wood combustion, but instead of

burning wood, energy crops, such as corn, sugarcane, or switchgrass, are burned to produce

energy. When the energy crops are burned they create heat. This heat is used to heat the water

inside a boiler to create steam. The steam turns the turbine, which converting the steam’s force to
mechanical power. This mechanical power is used to turn the generator creating electricity. The

electricity then travels through a power cable to a transformer, and the voltage levels are

modified to match the power grid. (The Earth Project)

Like wood combustion and agricultural products energy production, solid wastes energy

production is very similar. In this process, garbage is burned to create heat to heat a boiler to

convert water to steam. This steam’s force turns a turbine, which creates mechanical power. The

turbines turns a generator to create electricity. This electricity then travels through a power cable

to a transformer, where the voltage levels are altered to match the power grid. The big difference

between solid waste and both wood combustion and agricultural products energy production is

that solid waste energy production does not create green energy. (The Earth Project)

Biogas is produced when microscopic organisms like bacteria and fungi feed on dead

plants and animals, and waste products. The biogas produced is made of difference gases, of

which the most important one is methane due to it being highly flammable. As the methane is

produced, it is burned generate heat. This heat then heats the boiler to convert water into steam.

The steam turns a turbine in order to create mechanical power. This mechanical power is used to

then turn a generator creating electricity. The electricity then travels through a power cable to a

transformer, where the voltage levels are altered to match the power grid. (The Earth Project)

As waste decomposes in landfills, its produces biogases. One of the biogases produced is

methane, which has a high flammability. Through landfill energy production, this methane is

burned to heat the boiler, where water is converted to steam. The steam produced is then used to

turn a turbine, which turns a generator. When the generator turns, it create electricity, which will

then goes into a power cable and to a transformer, where the voltage levels are modified to match

the power grid. (The Earth Project)

 When plant material is fermented, it creates ethanol. The ethanol produced is highly

flammable, which allows it to be a heat source for a boiler. When the boiler is heated by the

ignited ethanol, it converts water into steam. The steam produced turns a turbine to convert the

steam’s force into mechanical power. This mechanical power then turns a generator to create

electricity, which travels in a power cable to a transformer and the voltage levels are adjusted to

meet the power grid. (The Earth Project)

Biodiesel energy production is yet another renewable energy. Biodiesel fuel is produced

from alcohol and vegetable oil or animal oil. It is sometimes used in that form of mixture or it is

mixed with petroleum diesel. This fuel is then used to operate diesel engine to produce

electricity. (The Earth Project)

Some advantages to using biomass energy production is that it can be from a renewable

source because you cannot run out of it. Biomass power plants also produce clean energy with no

carbon emissions, and they can produce energy from waste materials. (Conserve Energy Future,

pros of biomass energy)

Even with these advantages, the use of biomass power plants can get too big and

extensive that it can lead to deforestation. Also, the installation cost of the power plant is

expensive and the transportation of the fuel can be expensive, as well. Many biofuels, such as

ethanol, burn less efficiently compared to fossil fuels, and some biofuels are produced from food

sources, which could affect food prices. (Conserve Energy Future, pros of biomass energy)