Biomass combustion

Although that biomass energy is a “green energy”, it is one of the most harmful renewable energy sources for the environment. Major impacts are sustainability of the resources use, air pollution and carbon emission. [48]

Annual harvests and removals of crops, residues, trees and other land resources are required to ensure continuous operation of biomass plant. If current energy production consumes too many resources it depletes amount of next year resources. Therefore it is important to control regional resources consumption and ensure sustainability. Moreover the SRC cultivation required a lot of mineral fertilizer and other plant protection products which are footprint on the environment. The energetic sector needs and demands for fuel production sources would provide to the large SRC farms development. Those farms will also need to be maintenance for many years to ensure fuel supplies for biomass plants. It is threat for forests areas and soil quality. In long term it provides to increase the GHG emission and has negative influence on biodiversity. To meet that targets farmers (source of agricultural residues) require government projects which would established the SRC cultivation schedule to prevent from mentioned negative affects. In similar situation is forestry. The forestry biomass market is less common however also requiring development of new guideline to ensure save harvesting levels. [48], [51]

Air pollution is by-product of all combustion process, even if a biomass is uses as a fuel. However amount of pollution is by far less than during coal combustion. Emitted gasses consist of particles as: SOX (about 0,08 lb/MWh), NOX (about 2,1 lb/MWh), CO (about 12,2 lb/MWh). [52]

Expect air pollution, biomass combustion emits also the GHG, about 30 kgCO2eq/MWh. However that amount is relatively low (by far lower than coal combustion – 800 kgCO2eq/MWh) thus finally biomass plants and power plants with biomass co-firing provide to reduce the CO2 emission. [52]

Biomass industry is also a chance to develop agricultural sector and creates new workplace for local society. Mainly in biomass source production (the SRC cultivate and forest wood harvesting) to supply regional power plants. It also increase energy security, an especially during season. [51]

Biogas combustion

Biogas power plant is one of the RES however also has impact on the environment. Similar with biomass, that power plants required fuel. This is not objectionable if the gas is obtained from landfill, sewage or agricultural residues however the problem is if lack of fuel are covered by gasification of forest-wood or crops. Such action may provide to consumption of all biomass on local area. Therefore it is important to control regional resources consumption. Sustainable exploitation of local bio resources ensure energy security and creates new work places, mainly for farmers.

Obviously air pollution and the GHG emission are related with gas combustion however compared with conventional power plants amounts of that wastes are relatively low and similar with emissions during biomass combustion.

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