 Bioenergy in New Zealand
Wood biomass provides about five per cent (35PJ) of New Zealand’s main energy supply. Wood biomass is mainly used by the timber industry, which burns waste wood to provide heat energy. Residential wood burners and open fires account for about 5PJ of our biomass use.
However, there are opportunities for increasing our use of biomass as an energy source. In any given year, the energy in the earth’s total biomass is considerably more than global energy demand. |
Biomass
Biomass is a term used to describe any organic material. Biomass is effectively a store of solar energy. During plant or tree growth, energy from the sun is captured using the process of photosynthesis.
In fact, biomass in the form of wood has been used by humans as a source of energy for fires to provide heat and light, for thousands of years. While this simple use remains popular, woody biomass can also be utilised as a source of energy for larger-scale commercial and industrial applications.
More informatin about wood biomass: here...
Energy production
Bioenergy is an important form of renewable energy. Heat, electric power, light or transport fuel can all be generated from biomass.
Energy is produced from woody biomass by different users in a number of different ways. More...
Benefits of bioenergy
Economic benefits
- Cost competitive fuels - Woody biomass offers a cost-effective alternative to burning fossil fuels for some users.
- Waste minimisation – Using waste wood as fuel diverts waste from over-full landfills.
- Energy self-sufficiency – Biomass is a local resource, it is produced, processed and consumed in New Zealand.
- Energy storage – Unlike wind, wave and solar, biomass is a storable form of renewable energy.
Environmental benefits
- Carbon neutral - As a renewable energy source that can be grown and used sustainably.
- Renewable energy source – Unlike fossil fuels, biomass fuels are renewable and therefore contribute to a more sustainable future for humanity.
Sources:
www.bioenergy-gateway.org.nz
www.eeca.govt.nz
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