Energy potential, biomass availability

Waste Biomass Resource Abundance, Energy Potential, and Availability... 

TABLE 5.6 Energy Potentials and Availabilities from Waste Biomass in United States... 

Several studies estimate the potential of available virgin and waste biomass as energy resources (Table 4) (10). In Table 4, the projected potential of the recoverable materials is about 25% of the theoretical maximum woody biomass is about 70% of the total recoverable potential. These estimates of biomass energy potential are based on existing, sustainable biomass production and do not iaclude new, dedicated biomass energy plantations that might be developed. 

Top Value Added Chemicals From Biomass—Results of Screening for Potential Candidates from Sugars and Synthesis Gas, eds. T. Werpy and G. Petersen, US Department of Energy, Oak Ridge, TN, August 2004, vol. 1 available at WWW.eere.energy.gov/biomass/pdfs/3 5 523. pdf. 

TABLE 2.7 Potential Biomass Energy Available in United States in 2000 ... 

In any case, the information and data discussed here show that although the amounts of certain animal wastes are substantial and represent a large energy potential, careful assessment of availabilities is necessary to develop strategies for commercial development of animal excreta as waste biomass feedstocks. 

Generally speaking, about 75% of the total biomass produced belongs to the class of carbohydrates. However, only 3.5% of these compounds are actually used by mankind (Tschan et al. 2012). Clearly, the theoretical availability of biomass does not mean that it is economically feasible or environmentally viable to collect it for industrial use. Parikka (2004) estimated the sustainable worldwide biomass energy potential to be about 100 EJ/year. Only 40% of this biomass is currently used according to Parikka (2004). 

Werpy T, Petersen G. (2004). Top value added chemicals from biomass, volume 1 results of screening for potential candidates from sugars and synthesis gas. US Department of Energy. Available at http //wwwl.eere.energy.gov/biomass/pdfs/35523.pdf. Last accessed date Jan 8, 2014. 

Gross heating value of biomass or methane. Conversion of biomass or methane to another biofuel requires that the process conversion efficiency be used to reduce the potential energy available. These figures do not include additional biomass from dedicated energy plantations. 

Another factor is the potential economic benefit that may be realized due to possible future environmental regulations from utilizing both waste and virgin biomass as energy resources. Carbon taxes imposed on the use of fossil fuels in the United States to help reduce undesirable automobile and power plant emissions to the atmosphere would provide additional economic incentives to stimulate development of new biomass energy systems. Certain tax credits and subsidies are already available for commercial use of specific types of biomass energy systems (93). 

In the United States, where clean and convenient natural gas, propane, and electricity are widely available and affordable, biomass use has limited potential. Nevenheless, U.S. biomass energy production has been increasing because of technological advances for new and improved biomass applications for electricity generation, gasification, and liquid fuels. 

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