With biomass on the increase it is a crucial time to address the market. Here at NRG Expert, we have analysed the biomass market to help key players in the industry better understand the future prospects for the biomass market.
What is Biomass?
Biomass, is a renewable energy resource, which is derived from living biological material. Energy is created from the biomass directly or by converting it into other energy products such as biofuels. Electricity can be generated from plant matter by direct combustion of the biomass or it can be converted into other industrial chemicals.
Biomass resources are plentiful and can be classified into two main categories, plants and waste.
The main biomass resources are wood and forest products, agricultural crops and residues, sugar industry wastes (used mainly to produce ethanol), forestry crops and residues, black liquor, animal waste, sewage, industrial waste, and municipal solid waste (MSW).
As the economics of biomass energy production improve, and concerns about greenhouse gas emissions grow, the biomass market is becoming an increasingly attractive option.
Biomass Market Research Analysis Highlights
After researching the market, here are the key findings from our Biomass Market Research Report:
Biomass Renewable Energy
Of all the renewable sources of energy, biomass is unique in that it is effectively stored solar energy. It is also the only renewable source of carbon and can be processed into convenient solid, liquid, and gaseous fuels. Of all the forms of renewable energy, only hydropower exceeds the amount of electricity produced by bio energy. Therefore Biomass has been identified as a promising renewable energy source.
Environmental Impact of Biomass
On the negative side, the widespread use of wood from natural forests can cause deforestation and localised fuel wood scarcity, with serious ecological and social ramifications. This is currently occurring on a serious scale in Nepal, Southeast Asia, parts of India, South America, and in Sub-Saharan Africa. On the positive side however biomass energy has a very low carbon output compared to other energy sources.
Biomass Market
The biomass market suffered during the economic downturn in the face of low coal prices, logistic barriers and supply issues. The year 2010 saw more movement in the sector as coal prices are beginning to rise once again making co-firing coal plants with biomass more attractive.
Beyond 2012 the biomass market is expected to play a key role in helping to meet the 2020 renewable targets and carbon reduction targets. The biomass market provides an attractive alternative option to the erratic energy produced by wind and solar as it can provide a more consistent energy supply.
The simplicity of the technology along with the variety of fuels it can produce has led to ongoing investment. Countries and business are turning to the biomass market in their hunt for a low carbon, multipurpose, high output, renewable energy source.
To read NRG Expert’s World Biomass Market Research Report click here.
