Alternate energy sources
ALTERNATIVE SOURCES OF ENERGYINTRODUCTION :Biomass is a renewable energy resource derived from the carbonaceous waste of various human and natural activities. It is derived from numerous sources, including the by-products from the · timber industry, · agricultural crops, · raw material from the forest, · major parts of household waste and · wood. Renewable energy sources can be replenished in a short period of time. The five renewable sources used most often include hydropower (water), solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass.Biomass does not add carbon dioxide to the atmosphere as it absorbs the same amount of carbon in growing as it releases when consumed as a fuel. Its advantage is that it can be used to generate electricity with the same equipment or power plants that are now burning fossil fuels. Biomass is an important source of energy and the most important fuel worldwide after coal, oil and natural gas. Half a kilo of dry plant tissue can produce as much as 1890 KCal of heat which is equivalent t
u It is cheap, u widely available, u easy to transport,store andu has no environmental hazards. u In short, biomass energy systems offer an opportunity for sustainable and equitable development. For example, small-scale (5-10 kW), medium-scale (1-10 MW) and large-sale (about 50 MW) electricity generation systems or biogas plants of a few cubic metres (Indian and Chinese family plants for cooking) to several thousand cubic metres (Danish systems for heat and electricity). Biomasss exists in villages which occupy 70% of India and needs to be tapped intelligently to provide not only electricity but also water to irrigate and cultivate fields to further increase production of biomass (either as a main product or as a by-product), ensuring steady generation of electricity. Biomass gasification offers immense scope and potential for :· Water pumping · Electricity generation : 3 to 1 MW power plants · Heat generation : for cooking gas - smokeless environment Rural electrification means better healthcare, better education and improved quality of lifeADVANTAGES :u Biomass is available all round the year. Many of the biomass fuels used today come in the form of wood products, dried vegetation, crop residues, and aquatic plants. Biomass-based power generation systems, linked to plantations on wasteland, simultaneously address the vital issues of wastelands development, environmental restoration, rural employment generation, and generation of power with no distribution losses. u Unlike other renewables, biomass is a versatile source of energy, which can be converted to 'modern' forms such as liquid and gaseous fuels, electricity, and process heat. An added bonus is the availability of waste biomass from the biomass gasifier plant to be used as fertilizer. u Bioenergy is particularly attractive for decentralized applications for producing gaseous fuels or electricity. u It can be combined with production of other useful products, making it an attractive byproduct. u As a renewable fuel, biomass is used in nearly every corner of the developing world as a source of heat, particularly in the domestic sector. This intermittent feature of such renewable energy sources necessitates electricity storage facilities, especially with small and local systems. u Unlike wind, solar or micro-hydroelectric systems, modern biomass energy systems could be set up in virtually any location where plants can be grown or domestic animals reared.
Common topics in this essay:
ENERGYINTRODUCTION Biomass,
Indian Chinese,
renewable energy,
source energy,
biomass energy,
energy systems,
biomass energy systems,
renewable energy sources,
generation systems,
power generation,
electricity generation,
gaseous fuels,
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Acceptance Essays
