Types of Biomass Energy:
The energy from biomass can be classified into the three following types:
1. Solid Biomass: Plants use photosynthesis to store energy in the form of chemical energy. The easiest way to release this energy is by burning the dried-up plants. Solid biomass such as firewood or combustible field crops including dried manure. It is usually burnt to heat water and to drive turbines. Field crops may be grown specifically for combustion or maybe for purposes other than combustion. Most sorts of biomass including sugarcane residue, wheat chaff, corn cobs, and other plant matter can be, burnt quite successfully. Currently contributes 15% of the total energy supply worldwide.
2. Biofuel: Biofuel is any fuel that is derived from biomass of recently living organisms or their metabolic by-products, such as manure from cows. Typically biofuel is burnt to release its stored chemical energy. Biomass can be directly used as fuel or to produce liquid biofuel. Agriculturally produced biomass fuels, such as biodiesel, ethanol, and biogas. It can be burnt in internal combustion engines or boilers.
3. Biogas: Biogas can easily be produced from current waste streams, such as paper production, sugarcane production, sewage, animal waste, and so forth. The various waste streams have to be slurred together and allowed to naturally ferment. It produces 55% to 70% inflammable methane gas. Biogas production has the capacity to provide about half of our energy needs, either burned for electrical production or piped into the current gas line for use. This process has to be implemented properly at the community level.