BiomassEnergy

BiomassEnergy - the energy generated from plants

Energy from plants and vegetation

Biomass energy in history

Prior to the industrial revolution, biomass satisfied nearly all of man's energy demands. Up until the 1860s, the United States used biomass, in the form of wood, for nearly 91% of all energy consumption.

Types of biomass energyBiomass is all plant material, or vegetation, either raw or processed, wild or cultivated

Trees, grasses Agricultural crops

Methane

How does it work?Alcohol FermentationWith alcohol fermentation starches are converted to sugar and then to fuel alcohol. With yeast, materials such as wheat, barley, potatoes, and sawdust can be converted to alcohol. This alcohol is then distilled and separated. Currently, ethanol is the product from fermentation that is used in internal combustion engines as alternative fuel.

How does it work?Landfill Gas Decomposing organic waste generates gas as it is digested. Approximately 50 percent of this is methane - a major factor of natural gas. People have developed ways to harness this methane and use it for energy. Thank goodness for gaseous cows!

http://www.howstuffworks.com/fuel-efficiency/biofuels/10-biofuel-crops.htm