Biomass Power- prospects and problems

The end of fossil fuel based economy is in sight and the Biomass based economy has begun. Biomass based systems are the only energy generating systems which have the combined benefits of renewability, decentralization and availability on demand without need for separate storage. In some case, they may mean waste recycling or captive power generation as well. In other cases, it is necessary to take note of existing site specific uses of biomass to avoid competition with manure/fodder needs.Agriculture yields enormus wastes every year, capable of partly supplementing coal. Biomass in the form of agro residue and industrial waste is available in all geographical locations of developing countries. Power plants set up in rural areas using biomass will help in the development of rural areas. Biomass based power plants will increase the commercial value of agro-residues and this will induce the farmers not only for biomass collection but also for effective utilization of the barren and uncultivable land for energy plantations.Biomass, as a fuel, has been in use for centuries all over the world. But, over the last five decades, with the conventional sources of energy playing a dominant role, biomass more or less became a fuel of the poor in the developing countries. However, of late, biomass, as a valuable renewable energy source, is attracting the attention of energy planners in both the developed as well as developing countries. Biomass fuels have several advantages as well as problems. The advantages of using biomass as compared to fossil fuels and nuclear power are numerous. More importantly, we do not have to worry about its availability as they are produced locally almost everywhere. They are generally available in sufficient quantities and have less economic value at present. Some of the benefits include CO2 neutrality, improved SOx and NOx, good water and soil quality, biodiversity, landscape, job creation, rural rehabilitation, etc.As concern for environmental protection and climate change increases, the importance of biomass as a viable fuel source for power generation is attracting greater attention. In these days of economic sustainability, technologies for biomass usage for power generation purely on commercial basis are being developed around the world.These biomass fuel could also pose problems. Their availability at the field and mill site requires elaborate coordination and management. They also cause transport problems due to their low bulk density. In spite of these problems, the prevailing economic conditions in many developing countries provide good opportunity to look into these issues seriously and solve these problems so that wide spread use of biomass fuel takes place.