n release in energy production. With wood combustion there is a release of carbon to the atmosphere, which is later taken up in subsequent tree growth.
Carbon dioxide release from fossil fuel combustion – oil, natural gas and coal – represent ancient carbon deposits (millions of year old), the carbon from wood combustion differs in that it is derived from recently living plant matter. Therefore, the carbon emitted from burning wood is reabsorbed as new trees grow. As long as trees are replanted at least as fast as wood is burned, wood-to-energy power plants will not significantly increase greenhouse gas levels. Fossil fuels emissions, in contrast, cannot be compensated by the same tree growth since there is not enough land to plant in trees necessary to compensate for the worldwide burning of fossil fuels.
Since fuel and transportation costs comprise the largest operational costs associated with combustion-based steam electrical generation plants, wood’s rather low-energy content (compared to fossil fuels) puts it at a disadvantage in competitive markets. Pelletization helps reduce bulk and increase energy density. Also experimentation with torrification -a thermal process to convert biomass into a coal-like material,- yieldis better fuel characteristics than the original biomass. Admittedly, there is not enough wood supply to supply the total energy needs of society, so wood will likely be an interim solution as other renewable technologies and low-carbon energy sources become economically viable.
Adapted from: Air Emissions from Modern Wood Energy Systems Biomass Energy Research Center factsheet. 2 p.
Publication date: Jan. 1, 2019
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