Energy potential, biomass United States

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

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. 

Table IV. Energy Potential From Biomass and Wastes in the United States ...

Developing biomass energy can provide economic, political, social and environmental advantages. The energy potential of biomass has been estimated at almost 42 quadrillion Btus which is about 1/2 of the total energy consumption in the United States. Biomass provides the U.S. with about the same amount of energy as the nuclear industry. 

Approximately 89 million metric t of organic chemicals and lubricants, the majority of which are fossil based, are produced annually in the United States. The development of new industrial bioproducts, for production in standalone facilities or biorefineries, has the potential to reduce our dependence on imported oil and improve energy security. Advances in biotechnology are enabling the optimization of feedstock composition and agronomic characteristics and the development of new and improved fermentation organisms for conversion of biomass to new end products or intermediates. This article reviews recent biotechnology efforts to develop new industrial bioproducts and improve renewable feedstocks and key market opportunities. 

As reported in the U.S. Department of Energy study Top Value-Added Chemicals from Biomass. Vol. II, Results of Screening for Potential Candidates from Biorefinery Lignin, the biomass production in the United States is capable of supplying all necessary raw materials for the complete chemical industry [17]. 

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

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