2^nd World Bioenergy Congress and Expo June 13-14, 2016 Rome, Italy

Biomass is the organic matter derived from plants and which is usually generated through photosynthesis. In particular it can be referred to as solar energy stored in the chemical bonds of the organic material. Therefore, in general all plant and plant derived material including animal manure, not just starch, sugar, oil crops already used for food and energy--has great potential to provide renewable energy. In addition to the many benefits common to renewable energy, biomass is particularly attractive because it is the only current renewable source of liquid transportation fuel. This, of course, makes it invaluable in reducing oil imports--one of our most pressing energy needs. A key question, however, is how large a role could biomass play in responding to the nations energy demands assuming, that economic and financial policies and advances in conversion technologies make biomass fuels and products more economically viable.

The process to convert biomass solid raw material into fuel gas or chemical feedstock gas (syngas) is called gasification or thermochemical gasification. Biomass can be converted to synthesis gas through gasification and transformed to fuels using chemical catalysts. Chemical conversion of synthesis gas components can be expensive there are microorganisms that can convert the CO, H(2), and CO(2) in synthesis gas to fuels such as ethanol, butanol, and hydrogen. The discovery of novel organisms capable of higher product yield, as well as metabolic engineering of existing microbial catalysts, makes this technology a viable option for reducing our dependency on fossil fuels. Different conversion methods are Synthesis gas production, Pyrolysis , Anaerobic digestion, Biorefineries, Bioethanol production and sugar release from lignocellulosic biomass.

Biomass plant material and animal waste can be used to create transportation fuels and generate electricity. Biomass energy is derived from plant-based material and residues whereby solar energy has been converted into organic matter. Biomass can be used in a variety of energy-conversion processes to yield power, heat, steam, and fuel. Biomass is also used by the food processing industries, animal feed industry, and the wood products industry, which includes construction and fiber products (paper and derivatives); along with chemical products made by these industries that have diverse applications including detergents, fertilizers, and erosion control products. During the past few years, there has been an increased interest in biomass resources as a feedstock for transportation fuels production.

Bio-energy is attractive and seeking more attention worldwide because of it will have almost no green-house effect as long as the carbon di oxide given out is absorbed by the next crop of biomass. At present, biomass is converted into electricity most often by direct combustion, followed by a steam cycle. Power plants are in operation mainly in countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Netherlands, Germany and Italy as well. The present state of the technology of power generation from biomass combustion shows overall efficiencies which are above 30% (LHV). The concept of carbon storage is used to produce carbon negative power. In developing such storage the main focus is on cost friendly capture and storage technology as in future it can be applied to a wide range of energy plants.

Biomass is an extremely important renewable energy source, available nearly everywhere. It can be stored for a long time and often it is economically viable. Biomass is utilized in the best way in Combined Heat and Power plants. In particular the energy obtained is maximized in small power systems (from a few hundred kW electric to one or two MW electric), built near the heat consumer. Biomass power technologies convert renewable biomass fuels to heat and electricity. At present, the primary approach for generating electricity from biomass is combustion direct-firing. Combustion systems for electricity and heat production are similar to most fossil-fuel fired power plants. The biomass fuel is burned in a boiler to produce high-pressure steam. This steam is introduced into a steam turbine, where it flows over a series of turbine blades, causing the turbine to rotate. The turbine is connected to an electric generator. The steam flows over and turns the turbine. The electric generator rotates, producing electricity. This is a widely available, commercial technology. A number of technologies are mature and fully commercial. These include industrial-scale biogas production and steam turbine CHP systems. Today, CHP systems satisfy electricity demand in several agro-industries (e.g., sugar, pulp, and paper industries) and provide excess power to the grid. Its applications are Electricity generation (Village electrification in an off-grid mode), (Biomass gasifier for captive power generation), Thermal applications.

Bio carbon liquid biofuels and gas (water or generator gas) are the products of thermal decomposition of biomass. Gasification process is conducted in closed ordinary reactors or in reactors with a fluidal field. During hydrothermal gasification process, hydrogen, carbon oxide and considerable amounts of methane and superior hydrocarbons are produced. Liquids derived from biomass resources including ethanol and bio-oils can be reformed to produce hydrogen in a process similar to natural gas reforming. Biomass derived liquids can be transported more easily than their biomass feed stocks. The liquid fuel is reacted with steam at high temperatures in the presence of a catalyst to produce a reformate gas composed mostly of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and some carbon dioxide.

Currently, the use Renewable Energy (RE) has been encouraged in many countries because of its sustainability and environmental benefits. One of RE source that is considered as the largest energy potential is biomass. Biomass is a renewable resource that can be utilized as an energy carrier as well as for the production of materials. Due to the limited availability of fossil fuels, the biomass demand is expected to rise significantly in the future. Today, 10% of global energy supply and 3.5% of road transport fuel is provided by Bio-energy and its projected growth is 27% as transportation fuel by 2050. Sustainability is an important tool to ensure bioenergy development with maximized benefits and minimized negative environmental and socio-economic impacts. The use of biomass is thus linked to considerable societal and ecological impacts that constitute major challenges with regard to a sustainable development and to the avoidance of competitions for the utilization of disposable surfaces and resources. Biomass production can be sustainable, if the method of land management is adapted to the site and its natural conditions. The biomass industry is moving from a technology-driven phase to a market-led phase. Enhanced efforts in bioenergy research and development are regarded as essential for the development of strong and sustainable bioenergy sectors.

Bioenergy is the conversion of biomass resources such as agricultural and forest residues, organic municipal waste and energy crops into useful energy carriers including heat, electricity and transport fuels. Biomass is increasingly being used for modern applications, e.g. dendro-power, co-generation and Combined Heat and Power generation (CHP). Depending on resource availability and technical, economic and environmental conditions, these can be attractive alternatives to fossil fuel based applications. Its applications are Electricity generation (Village electrification in an off-grid mode), (Biomass gasifier for captive power generation), Thermal applications.

Ethanol is a renewable, domestically produced alcohol fuel made from plant material, such as corn, sugar cane, or grasses. Using ethanol can reduce oil dependence and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Ethanol fuel use in the U.S. has increased dramatically from about 1.7 billion gallons in 2001 to about 13.4 billion in 2014

Biomass technologies break down organic matter to release stored energy from the sun. The process used depends on the type of  biomass and its intended end-use. There are a number of technological options available to make use of a wide variety of biomass types as a renewable energy source. Conversion technologies may release the energy directly, in the form of heat or electricity, or may convert it to another form, such as liquid biofuel or combustible biogas. While for some classes of biomass resource there may be a number of usage options, for others there may only one appropriate technology.

Biogas typically refers to a mixture of different gases produced by the breakdown of organic matter in the absence of oxygen. Biogas can be produced from raw materials such as agricultural waste, manure, municipal waste, plant material, sewage, green waste or food waste. It is a renewable energy source and in many cases exerts a very small carbon footprint.

Biodiesel is a renewable, clean-burning diesel replacement that is reducing U.S. dependence on foreign petroleum, creating jobs and improving the environment. Made from a diverse mix of feedstocks including recycled cooking oil, soybean oil, and animal fats, it is the first and only EPA-designated Advanced Biofuel in commercial-scale production across the country and the first to reach 1 billion gallons of annual production. Meeting strict technical fuel quality and engine performance specifications, it can be used in existing diesel engines without modification and is covered by all major engine manufacturers’ warranties, most often in blends of up to 5 percent or 20 percent biodiesel. It is produced at plants in nearly every state in the country.