Biomass Energy
Have you ever sat by a campfire or fireplace? If so, you’ve see biomass energy in action!
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Biomass means "natural material." When biomass energy is burned, it releases heat – just like the wood logs in your campfire. Biomass energy uses natural materials like trees and plants to make electricity. It can also mean waste products like trash. Biomass is the second-most common form of renewable energy we use in the United States, providing enough electricity to power more than two million homes. There are lots of examples of biomass energy right here in the Midwest. |
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In Cedar Rapids, Iowa, a company called BFC Gas & Electric recycles more than 150 tons of biomass material every day to produce electricity for about 4,000 homes. Some of the material they use includes:
Growing energy crops
In Ottumwa, Iowa, Alliant Energy is studying how to use a new crop called switchgrass. Area farmers grow the switchgrass on their land, then sell it to the power company. The switchgrass is burned along with coal to make steam for the generators.
View a photo of an Iowa farmer harvesting switchgrass
Turning garbage into energy
In Wisconsin, people are using electricity made at the local trash dump! When trash decomposes, it gives off a gas called methane. A machine called a microturbine captures the methane gas and uses it to run a small jet engine to produce electricity.
And don’t forget cow power!
Or how about electricity from cow manure? Animal waste gives off methane gas too, and dairy farms in Iowa and Wisconsin are microturbines and a machine called a “digester” to turn the methane into electricity.
View a photo of an anaerobic digester
Want to learn more?
If you need more information about biomass energy, visit this Web site:
Biomass: Energy from Wood, Garbage and Farm Waste
by the U.S. Department of Energy
Links for teachers and parents:
Biomass Basics by the National Renewable Energy Laboratories
U.S. Department of Energy Biomass Program
American Bioenergy Association
