Environmental implications of increased biomass energy use

Technical Report · Sun Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1992

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5598924· OSTI ID:5598924

Miles, Sr, T R; Miles, Jr, T R ^[1]

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1. Miles (Thomas R.), Portland, OR (United States)

This study reviews the environmental implications of continued and increased use of biomass for energy to determine what concerns have been and need to be addressed and to establish some guidelines for developing future resources and technologies. Although renewable biomass energy is perceived as environmentally desirable compared with fossil fuels, the environmental impact of increased biomass use needs to be identified and recognized. Industries and utilities evaluating the potential to convert biomass to heat, electricity, and transportation fuels must consider whether the resource is reliable and abundant, and whether biomass production and conversion is environmentally preferred. A broad range of studies and events in the United States were reviewed to assess the inventory of forest, agricultural, and urban biomass fuels; characterize biomass fuel types, their occurrence, and their suitability; describe regulatory and environmental effects on the availability and use of biomass for energy; and identify areas for further study. The following sections address resource, environmental, and policy needs. Several specific actions are recommended for utilities, nonutility power generators, and public agencies.

• Research Organization: National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States); Miles (Thomas R.), Portland, OR (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-83CH10093
• OSTI ID: 5598924
• Report Number(s): NREL/TP-230-4633; ON: DE92001219
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
BIOMASS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
AGRICULTURAL WASTES
BIOMASS CONVERSION PLANTS
BIOMASS PLANTATIONS
CLIMATES
COST ESTIMATION
ECONOMICS
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
ENERGY DEMAND
HABITAT
INFORMATION
LAND USE
PLANTS
POLLUTION CONTROL
PROGRESS REPORT
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
RESIDUES
RESOURCE CONSERVATION
SOLID FUELS
WATER RESOURCES
WOOD
CONTROL
DEMAND
DOCUMENT TYPES
ENERGY SOURCES
FUELS
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
ORGANIC WASTES
RESOURCES
WASTES
ELECTRIC POWER PRODUCTION
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
ENVIRONMENT
095000* - Biomass Fuels- Environmental Aspects- (1990-)
093000 - Biomass Fuels- Economic
Industrial
& Business Aspects- (1990-)
090800 - Biomass Fuels- Production- (1990-)