Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Biomass, Carbon Neutral, cogen, distributed generation, Green Power, opportunity fuels, Renewable Power, waste fuels
Occasionally you may read the term “carbon neutral”. This is often mentioned as a value of biomass fuels. But, what is it and what does it mean?
The simple answer it is part of a repeating cycle. It does not increase the amount of carbon released to the atmosphere. It simply cycles over and over again.
In fact, coal and natural gas could be thought of as carbon neutral. Both of these fuels are formed when plants grow, taking CO2 out of the air. Then, the plants may become trapped in a swamp or at the bottom of the sea and slowly, over millions of years, the coal and natural gas is formed. But, note the time frame, millions of years! Because the carbon being released into the air from burning coal or natural gas has not been in the atmosphere for millions of years, it is effectively “adding” to the carbon accumulation.
Biomass is different! Its “cycle” time can be months! Selected plants are grown as “energy crops”. They are grown to be used for energy. An example might we switch grass. As the crop grows, it removes CO2 from the air through normal photosynthesis. The carbon does not go away. It stays in the plant. The oxygen is given off as the plant cleans the air.
Once the plant is harvested and burned for its energy, it gives the carbon off again. But, the cycle is quickly repeated, so the amount of carbon remains fixed. It is carbon neutral. Depending on the length of growing season of the energy crop, the cycle may be less than a year in a nice warm, southern, climate!
So, we say biomass can be “carbon neutral”. It is yet another advantage of the abundant energy source that is all around us!
Rudd Asset Management specializes in energy efficient power plant designs and in the development and operation of green renewable power. Contact us at (219) 464-7054.
