Biomass Fuels and Their Place in the Alternative Power Race

With the cost of electrical power and gas prices reaching astronomical levels these days, alternative forms of power are becoming a more appealing option these days. There is solar power, hydroelectric power and even wind power. Another possibility is bio mass fuels. The great thing about biomass is that it is renewable. Biomass comes from organic materials such as yard clippings, wood chips, sawdust, branches, manure and miscellaneous paper materials as well. There are quite a bit more types of organic material that could be used as a potential biomass fuel source.

The appeal of biomass fuel is that it is a renewable source of energy and greatly reduces the level of pollution output as well as landfills. Biomass fuels could be used in rural or indigent areas with ease because of its renewable properties. This source of energy could be used to produce heat, steam, and electricity or even for transportation purposes.

Globally, biomass fuel is the low man on the totem pole when it comes to the first source of energy consumption for people. Developing countries percentage of biomass consumption tends to be higher statistically than the world’s leading economic countries. Places like India get about thirty-five percent of the fuel in biomass form. In the United States, it is less than five percent. Is it any wonder why the United States has a pollution problem?

One of the reasons why biomass fuel isn’t more popular is that it creates only a third of the energy than coal-based sources. However, the upside is that with biomass, it is renewable and you are not draining the world’s non-renewable coal sources. Back in the 1990s when the oil business was enjoying its heyday, biomass plants in the United States were reduced by half. However, due to the rising prices of oil and electricity, there has been renewed interest in biomass fuels as an alternative source of power.

Depending on the scientific research study you read, biomass does produce close to the same about of carbon dioxide as fossil fuels. However, with biomass, it is not toxic to the carbon dioxide loving plants, to that creates somewhat of a balance, unlike with polluting fossil fuels. The downside to biomass fuels is that it is more expensive to produce than using natural gas or coal for electricity. Therefore, scientists are trying to find ways to streamline the process so it is more affordable.

If biomass fuels can be created more cheaply, then the whole world would reap the benefits of fewer landfills and a reduction of the greenhouse effect. This positive effect produces a chain reaction of great things. For instance, by reducing the landfills, there is less chance of pollutants leaking into the groundwater and contaminating it. The air is cleaner too because biomass production would be in a controlled atmosphere to ensure that the residue from biomass is contained. Biomass production will also create additional jobs and boost the economy in those areas where production occurs.

The bottom line is that biomass fuels are becoming a more attractive alternative as a power source. Its greatest impact will be to those developing nations as well as those people who live in remote areas and have no resources for natural gas and coal. In addition, with bringing biomass production to these countries, you will see employment go up and the people’s way of life greatly improve because they are earning a paycheck.

Perhaps in the near future, our governments will finally take the depletion of our natural resources such as coal a little more seriously. When that happens, biomass fuels will be one of the frontrunners as a viable renewable source of power for transportation and the home.

About the Author: Josh Hayes is the websmaster of several websites. His newest is http://www.customsiliconewristbands.org/. If you would like to learn more about custom wristbands or paper wrist bands please visit this site.

 

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What is the Energy Star Program

Energy Star is a cooperative program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy which has the express objective of reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas production. The approach of the Energy Star program has been to work with manufacturers to develop standards and programs to help Americans make smarter, more energy efficient decisions regarding energy-using appliances, homes, buildings, and business equipment.

The Energy Star program began in 1992 by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and began as a labeling program. Manufacturers of more energy-efficient models of appliances and office equipment were encouraged to manufacture specific products to Energy Star standards, and then use the Energy Star labeling to identify those products.

The first products that started using the Energy Star labeling system in 1992 were computers and computer monitors. It was recognized that these products, both for business and home use, were significant energy wasters. Computer manufacturers were encouraged to develop designs that use less electricity and generate less heat when running. Software programs were also incorporated that turn off certain energy consuming functions of computers after a specific period of inactivity.

In 1995 the Energy Star labeling system was applied to other office equipment, along with home heating and cooling systems. Furnaces and air conditioners were designed to use as much as 30% less energy than comparable capacity non-Energy Star systems.

In 1996 the EPA and US Department of Energy cooperated to designate specific categories of products, and to develop standards for each of them. With the full implementation of the Energy Star program special labels can now be found on most major appliances, lighting systems, home electronics, heating and cooling systems and office equipment of all kinds.

Today Energy Star is partnered with more than 15,000 private and public sector organizations and provides technical and research information that help these organizations, businesses and manufacturers develop new products and programs. It also makes consumers aware of the savings with Energy Star products. It is estimated that Energy Star programs saved consumers about $19 billion in 2008.

A major initiative of the program has been to apply more rigorous standards to new homes, office and commercial buildings, and industrial complexes – because these all use a great deal of energy. To earn the ENERGY STAR label, a home must meet strict guidelines for energy efficiency set by the U.S. EPA.

The requirements for new homes include such things as effective insulation in floors, walls and attics, as well as high performance windows that keep heat in during the winter andout during the summer. New homes must also be tightly sealed so that cracks and holes in walls, around doors and windows, ducts and pipes don’t allow heat to escape.

Heating and cooling systems must also meet more rigorous energy-efficiency levels than in a normal non-Energy Star home. More efficient heating and cooling systems when combined with well insulated and sealed homes results in a significant reduction in a home’s energy requirements. Indoor humidity is also reduced and comfort increased by more energy-efficient heating and cooling systems.

Many Energy Star approved homes are also equipped with high efficiency lighting, ventilation fans, and Energy Star appliances such as refrigerators, dishwashers, ovens, washing machines and clothes dryers.

Energy Star homes are at least 15% more energy efficient than homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code (IRC), and include additional energy-saving features that typically make them 20-30% more efficient than standard homes.

When considering the advantages of upgrading to Energy Star heating or cooling systems in your home or business it is always best to consult with an expert. For Canton or Alpharetta Heating Repair or Cumming Air Conditioning see Comfort Zone Heating and Air in the Atlanta area.

Alternative Energy For Economic Growth

Alternative energy is still emerging as a business and it is not yet clear which companies have the best solutions for the future of energy generation. This makes the alternative energy sector ideal for ETFs, which are good at spreading risk among various companies and various technologies. Alternative energy is also known as renewable energy, and it is a broad term applied to any type of energy source that does not require the use of fossil fuels. These types of energy derive their power from constantly flowing natural energy, and some examples include hydro power, solar power and geothermal power. You can build your own electricity at home with Earth4Energy. Alternative energy is becoming more prominent now, and environmental concern is no longer for the fringes of society. People are starting to wake up and see that the planet is slowly being destroyed by pollution and a lack of responsibility.

Alternative energy is derived from natural, renewable resources such as wind, sun, and water. Popular forms of alternative energy include solar, biofuels (ethanol), geothermal, coal gasification, hydro, and wind power. Earth 4 Energy is a manual that shows you how to build your own alternative energy generators. Alternative energy is a general term for any form of energy that can be substituted for another form. Natural gas, for example, can be an alternative for coal or oil. Alternative energy is also a long term growth industry. As the American economy continues to grow, energy consumption will rise, and a solution to meet this growing demand is vital for future economic growth.

Alternative energy is a great alternative to fossil fuels but it does have a downside to it. Check out Earth for Energy to learn more about it. We need to further our research for alternative energy sources and find out how they can be utilized over a wide scale.