BSME01163197

Biomass
Biomass is organic material that comes from plants and animals, and it is a renewable source
of energy. Biomass contains stored energy from the sun. Plants absorb the sun's energy in a
process called photosynthesis. When biomass is burned, the chemical energy in biomass is
released as heat.

Figure 1 Biomass Energy

Advantages
Major advantages of Biomass over other sources of energy are as:

 Biomass is always and widely available as a renewable source of energy.

 It reduces the overreliance of fossil fuels.
 Is less expensive than fossil fuels.
 Biomass production adds a revenue source for manufacturers.
 Less garbage in landfills.
 Carbon-neutrality is one of the major advantages of biomass energy. During
photosynthesis, plants absorb carbon present in the atmosphere and it is again released
back when they are burnt in a biomass energy plant.
 Biomass energy is estimated to have a huge potential due to abundant availability of
biomass sources.

Limitations
Limitations of Biomass energy are as:

 Biomass energy is not as efficient as fossil fuels.

 It is not entirely clean.
 They can lead to deforestation.
 Biomass plants require a lot of space.
 Biomass contains carbon and it releases carbon dioxide on combustion and the time to
recapture the carbon involved in biomass may vary depending on the type of biomass.
 Using fuels produced from biomass results in the release of various gases such as
carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, NO (nitrogen oxides), VOCs (volatile organic
compounds), which all contribute to air pollution.
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 The seasonality of biomass supply and a wide variability in available sources present
a potential challenges for biomass energy plants
 As water content may be high in many of the biomass sources, transportation of the
material may increase costs.
 Facilities must be able to cope with the ups and downs associated with the changing
of the seasons, which can vary greatly.

Wind Energy
Wind energy is a form of solar energy. Wind energy (or wind power) describes the process
by which wind is used to generate electricity.

Figure 2 Wind Energy

Advantages
Major advantages of wind energy are as:

 Wind energy is a renewable source of energy.

 Wind energy is a green energy source and does not cause pollution.
 The potential of wind power is enormous – 20 times more than what the entire human
population needs.
 Wind power is renewable and there is no way we can run out of it (since wind energy
originates from the sun).
 Wind turbines are incredible space-efficient.
 Prices have decreased over 80% since 1980 and are expected to keep decreasing.
 The operational costs associated with wind power are low.
 Good domestic potential: Residential wind turbines yields energy savings and protect
homeowners from power outages.
 Wind energy reduces carbon emissions when used instead of fossil fuels.

Limitations
Limitations of wind energy are as:

 Wind is unpredictable and the availability of wind energy is not constant.

 The cost-competitiveness of wind power is highly debatable.
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 Birds, bats and other flying creatures have slim chances of surviving when taking a
direct hit from a rotating wind turbine blade.
 Noise is a problem for some people that live in the proximity of wind turbines.
Building wind turbines in urban environments should be avoided.
 Wind farms can affect the visual appearance of the landscape.
 Wind farms can be expensive to construct.