Biomass

Biomass is a generic term used to describe fuel generated from plant or animal matter and is a renewable resource. Over 3.5% of our energy comes from biomass- the largest amount of any renewable source. Much of this energy source comes from recycling garbage or waste material.  Some of it is used for electricity generation; some for heating; and some for biofuel production.

Biofuel is a generic term that includes ethanol, methanol, biodiesel, or other fuels derived from plant or animal matter. Biofuels can be generated from any organic source, but in the U.S. virtually all biofuels come from corn grown for ethanol, and to a lesser extent soybeans. Research and development is currently being conducted to improve the conversion of non-food crops (such as switchgrass and a variety of woody crops) to biofuels.

Facts

• Most biomass used to generate electricity comes from agriculture and forest residue-leftover organic matter from farming or paper-based products.
  Read more at the Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Biomass Program.
• Wood-derived sources make up over 2% of biomass energy produced, biofuels 1%, and Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) 0.4%.
  Read more at the Energy Information Administration.
• The decomposition of garbage at landfills produces carbon dioxide and methane, two greenhouse gases. In order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as well as utilize a readily available energy source, landfills can be outfitted to capture the methane. This type of energy is known as  landfill gas (LFG).
  Read more at the Energy Information Administration.
• Ethanol is the most common biofuel in the US and can be added to petroleum-based gasoline in the place of synthetic additives to reduce air pollution and petroleum consumption.
  Read more at the Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Biomass Program.
• Most cars and trucks on the road can safely use E90 gasoline, which is 10% ethanol, but only flexfuel vehicles should use E85 as they are built to withstand the more corrosive fuel.
  Read more at the Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Biomass Program.
• Biodiesel is produced from vegetable oils or animal fats and can be combined with any amount of petroleum-based diesel, often sold as a 20% blend labeled B20, or used as the sole fuel source for diesel engines, labeled as B100. Unlike traditional diesel it is non-toxic and burns more completely, reducing air pollution.
  Read more at the Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Biomass Program.