Biomass energy represents a potential energy source that offers a number of obvious advantages over other forms of energy sources. However, there are growing concerns over a number of possible negative impacts associated with bioenergy. Discuss at least

Question

two specific advantages and two specific concerns relating to the use of biomass energy.

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Using bioenergy offers a number of obvious environmental advantages over other forms of energy; however, it is the possible negative impacts associated with bioenergy that are attracting so much attention. Although the use of bioenergy is theoretically carbon neutral and thus would not contribute to rising carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere, in reality the use of many biofuels is not, as greenhouse gas emissions occur at many points in the biofuel production cycle, such as the use of farm machinery to grow the corn used to make ethanol. Significant quantities of fossil fuels are also used in shipping and processing the crops. Although biomass is generally thought of as renewable (unlike traditional fossil fuels), the use of biomass such as corn and soybeans may have an impact on the world economy, increasing the cost of food and even possibly causing food shortages. When land that normally is used to grow food is then transferred into fuel production, less land is available for food production. As world population continues to grow, this change in land use could have a significant effect.