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Posts tagged Energy Production
Paulownia for Biomass
Dec 21st
Biomass is a biological material, derived from any organic object, typically plant material. Biomass is increasingly being used for energy production, because it is a renewable and effective fuel. Unlike fuels which have been trapped under the surface of the Earth for thousands of years, such as coal or oil, biomass is in general produced from a newly grown or waste material such as trees, grasses or rubbish, so burning it does not release ancient Carbon into today’s atmosphere. Although burning biomass does release Carbon, it only releases the Carbon that it has already absorbed from today’s atmosphere, so its sequestration and release process is CO2 neutral.
Fast growing trees such as Paulownia are particularly effective for biomass production. The energy in Paulownia biomass effectively comes from the sun as the plant photosynthesizes solar energy into biomass. The tree’s trunk and branches are processed into either pellets, chips or briquettes and can then be used to fuel electricity plants, just like coal. The best thing about Paulownia biomass is that, if made into briquettes, it can be used in existing coal fuelled plants with only small modifications to the plant.
Alternatively, a biomass fuelled electricity plant can be built and fuelled by purchased biomass or by a plantation. Paulownia is especially suitable for this, as it will regenerate from its roots after harvest and can be harvested for biomass production every 3 years. A robust species, it will grow even in degraded soil close to an electricity plant.
One of the main objections to biofuels is that growing biofuel takes up valuable food crop land. Paulwonia, however, will grow in land unsuitable for food cultivation, thereby eliminating the ethical problem.
7 Wind Energy Pros and Cons
Dec 16th
Wind energy is an inexpensive source of electricity that is being adopted by many westernized countries. Wind farms can be placed in open water and generate enough power to run an entire city. Despite the huge support for this renewable energy source, wind energy pros and cons need to be assessed before jumping into the wind.
Wind Energy Pros
Electricity is produced with let off of harmful gases or polluting agents. No fossil fuels needed.
Wind energy is self renewing. There are no crops or preparations needed to create alternative power.
Extra energy can be pushed out via the existing power grid.
Wind Energy Cons
Turbines can be easily damaged by storms or electrical strikes. At times, damage is total meaning the unit has to be replaced.
Energy production is not constant. As blades slow, less energy is produced leading to potential brown outs.
Noise is created by wind turbine blades. Slower moving blades produce more noise than faster moving blades. Average noise from moving wind turbine blades is 60 decibels.
As is the case with any form of alternate energy, wind turbines provide a renewable source of electricity that is currently being used to power entire cities, but there are drawbacks. The money it takes to build a farm is not recovered, in some cases, for 25 years or more and in that time the turbines could be damaged or outdated. But, in a world of fossil fuels and pollution, the cost in dollars may well be worth the benefit in time the earth allows humans to thrive.