INTRODUCTION

Referred to as bioenergy nowadays, humans have used biomass energy since they
mastered fire. Bioenergy is a rapidly developing industry and an increasingly viable alternative
to fossil fuels because it’s a renewable energy resource.
Bioenergy (a word often used
interchangeably with biofuel) is energy
derived from biomass, which are plant-
and animal-based materials taken from
renewable sources. For example, dung,
grasses, and wood products were early
biofuels that people used to produce
energy. In some societies, they are still
widely in use.
Today, most biomass feedstock
becomes the biofuels we’re most familiar with: ethanol (alcohol) and biodiesel (an oil).
Feedstocks are categorized as first, second, and third generation.
First-generation biofuels come from food crops, such as corn, sugar cane, and maize for
ethanol, and biodiesel feedstock comes from vegetable oils such as soybean oil and canola oil.
Second-generation feedstocks come from cellulosic materials (made from cellulose, aka
complex sugar molecules) such as cotton, wood, grasses, and plant fibers.
Third-generation biofuel comes from algae.
Biomass energy is becoming an increasingly popular and renewable alternative to fossil
fuels, and the technology is rapidly developing. Researchers are exploring biofuel production
technology that uses waste to create advanced biofuels. For example, garbage, animal fat, and
used cooking oil are processed to manufacture liquid biofuels.
When Was Biomass Energy First Used?
Bioenergy, or biomass energy, has been with us for millennia, from the time humans first began
burning plant or animal material to fuel their cookfires. There’s plenty of evidence to suggest
humans began using biomass energy between 230,000 and 1.5 million years ago.
For most of humanity’s existence on the planet, the use of biomass was limited to cellulosic or
woody, fibrous materials for cooking and heating. However, not long after people began
distilling alcohol in the 12th century, they used ethanol for cooking and lighting. Derived from
grain, a plentiful feedstock, ethanol was readily available.
As mining and drilling became commercially viable, coal and crude oil gained popularity over
biofuels. Then, with electrification, coal- and gas-fired plants took advantage of cheap crude and
coal, and bioenergy production took a backseat.
With the advent of gasification – a technology that converts carbon-based material to fuel gas –
ethanol took a back seat, except for the early years of the automotive industry. Until we learned
to refine crude oil, fuel scarcity meant a reliance on biofuels. Fuel shortages related to the world
wars also increased the demand for ethanol and other biofuels.
The gas shortages of the 1970s brought renewed interest in bioenergy. In addition, scientists
began to sound the alarm over climate change, global warming, and the impact of greenhouse
gas emissions. With growing public concern about carbon dioxide and methane emissions and
the sustainability of our fossil fuel energy sources, bioenergy technologies are once again
developing into a bioeconomy.
Where Does Bioenergy Come From?
Bioenergy comes from the consumption of biomass, the ultimate chemical storage battery.
Moreover, bioenergy is renewable. Most biomass comes from plant materials that have
undergone photosynthesis. As you might recall from your science classes in school,
photosynthesis is the process plants undergo to convert sunlight, carbon dioxide and water into
oxygen and glucose.
Biomass feedstock includes:
Wood pellets, wood chips, sawdust, firewood, and black
liquor (a toxic residue from pulp and paper mills)
Herbaceous plants, switchgrass, soybeans, sugar cane,
algae, corn, and the residue from crop and food
processing
Paper, cotton, and wool products, as well as food, yard,
and wood waste
Animal manures and human sewage
How Is Bioenergy Produced?
Bioenergy production includes direct combustion
(burning) and thermochemical, chemical, and biological conversion. Thermochemical conversion
makes solid, liquid, and gaseous fuels, while the other two conversion methods create liquid and
gaseous fuels.
There are a few thermochemical conversion methods:
Pyrolysis heats biomass feedstocks to 800–900℉ (400–500℃) in a near-vacuum.
Hydrothermal treatment produces bio-oil through fast pyrolysis, using a catalyst under high
pressure.
Gasification heats feedstock to 1400–1700℉ (800–900℃) and includes free oxygen or steam.
The result is synthesis gas, also called syngas – a hydrogen-rich gas.
Biodiesel producers use this synthesized gas (syngas) to make biodiesel. It’s also possible to
extract the hydrogen from syngas in fuel cells or as a fuel.
Transesterification is a chemical conversion process that converts vegetable oils, animal fats,
and greases into fatty acid methyl esters (FAME). Biodiesel production uses FAMEs.
Renewable natural gas is produced through a biological conversion process called
fermentation.

SYSTEM COMPONENTS
Most biopower plants use direct-fired combustion systems. They burn biomass directly to
produce high-pressure steam that drives a turbine generator to make electricity. In some biomass
industries, the extracted or spent steam from the power plant is also used for manufacturing
processes or to heat buildings. These combined heat and power (CHP) systems greatly increase
overall energy efficiency to approximately 80%, from the standard biomass electricity-only
systems with efficiencies of approximately 20%. Seasonal heating requirements will impact the
CHP system efficiency.
A simple biomass electric generation system is made up of several key components. For a steam
cycle, this includes some combination of the following items:
1. Fuel Storage and Handling Equipment: This component includes storage facilities
(such as silos or bunkers) for storing biomass fuel, as well as handling equipment (such
as conveyor belts or augers) for transporting the fuel from storage to the combustion
chamber.
2. Combustor / Furnace: The combustor or furnace is where biomass fuel is burned. In this
component, the biomass undergoes combustion, producing heat energy that will be used
to generate steam.
3. Boiler: The boiler is a vessel where water is heated to generate steam. The heat generated
from the combustion of biomass in the combustor or furnace is transferred to water
circulating within the boiler tubes, resulting in the production of high-pressure steam.
4. Pumps: Pumps are used to circulate water within the steam cycle. They are responsible
for moving water from the condenser back to the boiler, maintaining proper water levels,
and ensuring adequate water flow rates through the system.
5. Fans: Fans are utilized in various parts of the system to facilitate air and gas flow. For
example, combustion air fans supply air to the combustor for efficient fuel combustion,
while draft fans help create a negative pressure in the boiler to expel combustion gases.
6. Steam Turbine: The steam turbine is a rotary machine that converts the energy contained
in high-pressure steam into mechanical energy. The high-pressure steam expands through
turbine blades, causing the turbine shaft to rotate.
7. Generator: The generator is coupled to the steam turbine and converts the mechanical
energy from the turbine shaft into electrical energy. It produces alternating current (AC)
 electricity, which can be fed into the electrical grid or used for on-site power
consumption.
8. Condenser: The condenser is a heat exchanger that condenses the steam exiting the
turbine back into water. This process reduces the steam's temperature and pressure,
allowing it to be pumped back into the boiler for reheating.
9. Cooling Tower: The cooling tower is used to dissipate waste heat from the condenser. It
facilitates the transfer of heat from the condenser's cooling water to the atmosphere,
thereby cooling the water before it returns to the condenser.
10. Exhaust / Emissions Controls: This component includes equipment for controlling
emissions from the combustion process, such as particulate matter, nitrogen oxides
(NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and other pollutants. Common exhaust controls may include
scrubbers, electrostatic precipitators, and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems.
11. System Controls (Automated): System controls comprise sensors, actuators, and control
algorithms that regulate and optimize the operation of various components within the
biomass electric generation system. Automated control systems ensure safe, efficient, and
reliable operation while monitoring parameters such as temperature, pressure, and flow
rates.
These components work together to convert biomass fuel into electricity efficiently while
ensuring environmental compliance and system reliability.

Figure 1. 2. Biomass Electric Generation System

THE OPERATION OF A BIOMASS PLANT

A biomass power plant produces electricity from the steam that is released during the combustion
of plant or animal matter in a combustion chamber. This process is done in several steps:

1. Combustion: The biomass is burned in a combustion chamber.

2. Steam production: The biomass releases heat that heats water in a boiler. The water is
transformed into steam, which is sent under pressure to turbines.
3. Electricity production: The steam turns a turbine which in turn drives an alternator. Thanks
to the energy supplied by the turbine, the alternator produces an alternating electric current. A
transformer raises the voltage of the electric current produced by the alternator so that it can be
more easily transported in medium and high voltage lines.
4. Recycling: At the exit of the turbine, part of the steam is recovered to be used for heating. This
is called cogeneration.

The rest of the steam is again transformed into water thanks to a condenser in which cold water
from the sea or a river circulates. The water thus obtained is recovered and recirculated in the
boiler to start another cycle.

DIFFERENT MECHANISMS ALLOW TO CREATE ENERGY WITH BIOMASS:

 BURNING
Most electricity generated from biomass is produced by direct combustion. Biomass is
burned in a boiler to produce high-pressure steam. This steam flows over a series of
turbine blades, causing them to rotate. The rotation of the turbine drives a generator,
producing electricity. Biomass can also serve as substitute for a portion of coal in an
existing power plant furnace in a process called co-firing (combusting two different types
of materials at the same time).

 BACTERIAL DECOMPOSITION (ANAEROBIC DIGESTION)

Organic waste material, such as animal dung or human sewage, is collected in oxygen-
free tanks called digesters. Here, the material is decomposed by anaerobic bacteria that
produce methane and other byproducts to form a renewable natural gas, which can then
be purified and used to generate electricity.
 CONVERSION TO A GAS OR LIQUID FUEL
Biomass can be converted to a gaseous or liquid fuel through gasification and pyrolysis.
Gasification is a process that exposes solid biomass material to high temperatures with
very little oxygen present, to produce synthesis gas (or syngas)—a mixture that consists
mostly of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The gas can then be burned in a conventional
boiler to produce electricity. It can also be used to replace natural gas in a combined-
cycle gas turbine.
Pyrolysis uses a similar process to gasification but under different operating conditions.
In this scenario, biomass is heated at a lower temperature range but in the complete
 absence of oxygen to produce a crude bio-oil. This bio-oil is then substituted for fuel oil
or diesel in furnaces, turbines, and engines for electricity production.

ADVANTAGES OF BIOMASS ENERGY GENERATION:

Renewable: Biomass is derived from organic materials that can be replenished through
natural processes.

Carbon Neutral: The carbon emitted during biomass combustion is offset by the carbon
absorbed during the growth of the biomass feedstock, making it carbon neutral.

Waste Management: Biomass energy provides an effective solution for managing

organic waste materials, reducing landfill reliance and methane emissions.

Energy Security: Biomass resources are widely distributed, reducing dependency on

imported fossil fuels and enhancing energy security.

DISADVANTAGES OF BIOMASS ENERGY GENERATION:

Emissions: Combustion of biomass can release pollutants such as particulate matter,

nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide, albeit at lower levels compared to fossil fuels.

Land Use: Large-scale cultivation of biomass crops may compete with food production
and natural ecosystems, raising concerns about land use conflicts and biodiversity loss.

Resource Intensive: Some biomass conversion technologies require significant inputs of

water, energy, and chemicals, potentially limiting their sustainability.

Transportation Costs: Biomass feedstock often needs to be transported over long

distances, increasing logistical costs and environmental impacts.

DIFFERENCES FROM OTHER SOURCES OF ENERGY

Biomass energy differs from other renewable energy sources such as wind and solar in
several ways:

Dispatchability: Biomass energy can provide baseload power and is not subject to
intermittency like wind and solar energy.

Energy Density: Biomass energy has higher energy density compared to wind and solar,
making it suitable for applications requiring continuous and concentrated power
generation.
 Resource Availability: Biomass resources are available year-round and can be stored for
later use, providing reliable energy supply regardless of weather conditions.

LIST OF BIOMASS PLANTS IN THE PHILIPPINES

The Philippines has been actively promoting biomass energy as part of its renewable
energy development strategy. Some notable biomass plants in the Philippines include:

 San Carlos Bio-Power Inc. (Negros Occidental)

 Green Future Innovations Inc. Biomass Power Plant (Isabela)

 Negros Island Biomass Holdings Inc. (Negros Occidental)

 Oriental Renewable Power Corporation (Nueva Ecija)

These biomass plants contribute significantly to the country's renewable energy mix,
providing clean and sustainable energy while supporting rural development and reducing
greenhouse gas emissions.

In conclusion, biomass energy offers a promising pathway towards achieving energy

security, sustainability, and climate change mitigation. While it presents certain challenges,
ongoing technological advancements and policy support can enhance its viability as a key
component of the global energy transition.

References

https://powerzone.clarkpublicutilities.com/learn-about-renewable-energy/biomass-energy/

https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/biomass/waste-to-energy-in-depth.php

https://www.greenfutureinnovations.com/

https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/biomass/waste-to-energy-in-depth.php

https://www.wbdg.org/resources/biomass-electricity-generation

https://www.sigmathermal.com/blog/biomass-energy-systems/

https://www.be-atex.com/en/news/focus/biomass-power-plants-operation-advantages-and-
disadvantages
https://justenergy.com/blog/bioenergy-biofuels-biomass-what-they-are-how-we-use/
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%20years%20ago.

https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/biomass-energy/

https://www.doe.gov.ph/sites/default/files/pdf/renewable_energy/awarded_biomass_2023-08-
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