These terms refer to three generally different end uses of biomass based products. “Biofuel” is short for “biomass fuel,” a term used for liquid fuels produced from biomass (generally transportation fuels), such as ethanol, bio-oil, and biodiesel. “Biopower” refers to …
Why is there such an emphasis on power production from biomass?
Woody biomass is an abundant and readily available resource that historically has not been used much except by forest products manufacturers as an internal energy source at their facilities, although many such manufacturers have also been able to produce excess …
How can the use of woody biomass serve as a climate change solution?
The principal greenhouse gas thought to be responsible for climate change is carbon dioxide. Carbon is found in all organic matter (fossilized or not) and when this matter is combusted or broken down naturally, carbon dioxide is released into the …
Are there risks to the environment associated with harvesting woody biomass?
There are always some risks associated with forest harvesting. Collection of woody biomass from the forest, especially clearcuts, represents high rates of utilization. Questions have been raised regarding maintenance of long-term site productivity due to the removal of nutrients found …
Will harvesting woody biomass improve or reduce forest health?
It depends. Harvesting woody biomass provides opportunities to improve forest health by removing diseased, damaged, off-site species and otherwise cull trees that utilize space and resources. Removal of these trees results in better access to site resources for the healthier, …
What is the difference between ethanol labeled E10 and E85?
Ethanol can be blended with gasoline in varying quantities to reduce the consumption of petroleum fuels, as well as to reduce air pollution. Most of today’s commercially available vehicles can run on blends of E10, a blend of 10 percent …