Renewable Energy 101: How Does Biomass Energy Work?

The great thing about biomass energy (or simply “bioenergy”) is that its sources are plant and animal waste. So not only does biomass energy divert this organic matter from the waste stream — it turns it into something we all need, without polluting the planet. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, by 2030, the U.S. has the potential to sustainably produce 1 billion tons of bioenergy each year. As far as renewable energy sources go, biomass is not the most glamorous. But, biomass energy successfully solves two major environmental problems at once — an incredible feat if there ever was one!

Transcript:

Renewable Energy 101

Biomass … the original renewable energy. It's been part of our lives since our ancestors learned to control fire. In fact, it's made possible by the sun, whose energy is absorbed by trees and plants through photosynthesis and then released when organic matter is burned or decomposes.

First, there's plant waste. Wood scraps, sawdust and crop waste can be collected from farms or manufacturers. The waste is burned to heat water. The hot water creates steam. The pressure of the steam spins a turbine. The turbine powers a generator. The generator creates electricity. Simple, really!

Next up: animal waste … also known as “the problem of cow poop.” The solution? Waste from farm animals can be collected in a large tank, called a digester, filled with bacteria that eats the waste and converts it to methane gas. The methane is captured and burned to heat water and create steam. Sound familiar? Second verse, same as the first.

This same principle can also be used to capture methane — a potent greenhouse gas with 25 times the heat-trapping ability of carbon dioxide — from landfills. Once a section of the landfill is closed off, pipes are run from the waste to collect the gas, which can then be burned to make electricity or heat. Biomass may not be the prettiest form of renewable energy, and it needs to be used carefully and thoughtfully to protect the ecosystems that prevent greenhouse gas emissions, but it can be a smart way to make use of waste. Power to the poop!

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[martharichman]

Second verse same as the first crasks me up every time I watch this video with my classes! Thanks for such a great resource!

[rutendomthembu]

Thank you sm, I'm writing a test tomorrow

[najihah]

Simple video but it's packed with loads of information! Thanks ❤️

[emma-pwcm]

Thank you so much for this, i'm doing a presentation on biomass and didn't know much about it, this helps a lot!

[deathy]

Who's here from there teachers on quarantine

[ribendende]

While it is certainly a method to produce electricity by not letting matter go to waste, it is not as clean and innocent as people think. Simply because burning something always causes pollution to some extent. Furthermore the potency (amount of MegaWatts) that can be produced this way is much less than ordinary methods. On top of that, the mass isn't always "waste", healthy trees get chopped down to supply these biomass plants as well.

[RyanJaumally]

Hi I had a powerpoint to do on Biomass and I really didn't understand what it was. I'm really glad I found this video because it really helped me out!

[rajaummirajakobat]

this is simple yet awesome (powerful knowledge)! thanks creator of video and the people who posted it! May God bless you!

[ichikkopresents]

Thank you 🙏🏻 I can finally finish my project

[epixon]

thank you, this helps me a lot for my homework. yes no detention

[agnithefire.]

great explaination in short period of time

[catrinatarek]

Yes, POWER TO THE POOP 😂😂😂 ( I have an exam tomorrow and it is about renewable energy biomass included and I will write “ power to the poop” in the exam )

[rvzguxl]

This is a great information and now, I know what is biomass energy.

[jayaprasad]

Awesome marvelous fabulous well under stood waiting for more videos

[wreqless]

Thank you you helped me with my group project with my friends

[maheshbabum]

Wow your explanation was awesome
But please reduce the speed of your explanation

[abnormal]

thank you ma’am
this really helped me

[thematosfamily]

Thank you now I can retest and not fail my science test 🤗👏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[KatClarkTheheartbraker]

Used this for my school project and it helped me get an A :)))