Energy School - RE - Bioenergy

Bioenergy refers to energy obtained from wood, crops, straw, food wastes, paper, animal manure, and other forms of ‘biomass’. Biomass can be used for different purposes: heating, electricity production and transport fuels (biofuels). It can be burnt directly, or converted into other forms of energy (eg. digested to produce methane gas, or processed to produce fuels like ethanol and biodiesel). This source of energy is considered to be renewable because trees, crops and vegetation can be regrown.

ADVANTAGES

Low cost
Can be stored and used on demand
Release less CO1 than fossil fuel

DISADVANTAGES

Burning municipal solid waste (garbage) can release chemicals found in the waste
The ash from the combustion of the garbage can contain heavy metals.
Bioenergy requires a lot of land (for cultivations of crops)
Effects on the agricultural landscape: risk of reduction on biological diversity and high inputs of fertilizers and pesticides.