Everything You Need to Know About Biomass Conservation

 

To begin with, you need to know the exact definition of conservation as there are different forms out there and misinformation. Conservation is the protection and preservation of something, particularly preventing wasting natural resources. Conservation involves serious planned management of natural resources to avoid destruction, neglect, and exploitation.

 

This is a type of conservation involving using resources in nature for energy. Biomass is the cellular structure of organic matter such as trees, grass, raw food. When organic waste is created, it can be converted into biomass energy via burning and power our homes and businesses (read this published article for more research on how biomass conservation can be used in the UK). 

 

Biomass conservation action can help our planet in many ways. The primary method is by using undesirable land to harvest organic material for energy. There are many types of unwanted land that are unsuitable for other kinds of harvest, such as acidic, eroded or flood-prone land and degraded soil from previous intensive agricultural operations. The freshwater resources may also be depleted. Biomass conservation can allow the removal of invasive species (to promote biodiversity) in the surrounding areas and the sustainable harvest of native plants for renewable energy. The biomass products will come from land that does not compete for other high value uses like food production. While biomass products are growing, they will, in turn, begin to restore the soil’s health long term (which automatically leads to benefits in nature such as a better habitat for species). 

 

Right now, the energy demands are ever-increasing, and we have used up most of the fossil fuels available to us. Unlike fossil fuels, biomass is an example of renewable energy. There are different types to consider when thinking of alternative energy to provide heating and electricity to homes and businesses worldwide. Here are four types of biomass that we could draw power from:

 

Now, this is our area of expertise! Many residues come with forest operations, whether from plantation thinning, extractions for timber or pulp, etc. Usually, tasks like these only require up to 50% of the volume of whatever is being harvested, and the rest is waste. We offer brash removal services to help clear up land space when these operations have taken place. The residue can also be used for biomass energy generation. So that is why wood chips and pellets are commonly used as a source of biomass. 

 

This waste comes from crop residues such as straw, leaves, husks, peels, pulp, and shells. Farmers often utilise this waste by feeding it to cattle, ploughing it back into the soil, burning it, or discarding it to decompose. Still, the waste can be easily converted into biomass energy!

 

One type of waste we know will always be renewable is the waste coming from animals. This waste is often collected to be sold as liquid fertiliser. There are strict waste management protocols on farms to keep animals’ waste in check so environmental control can be maintained and the odour of the debris and the potential for water pollution are managed. This incentive for waste management is a fantastic opportunity for animal waste to be used in biofuels for energy. 

 

There are plenty of industries where biomass fuel can be collected for energy generation. An example would be in the food industry. There are many by-products in this field consisting of scraps and peelings from fruit and vegetables, pulp and fibres from coffee grounding or sugar extraction. This type of waste very often ends up in landfills, wasting a valuable source of biomass that could be useful. There is also scratch water to consider when food is washed in the industry. That waste can be anaerobically digested to produce biofuels. 

 

Other types of waste could offer a way of being converted into biomass fuel for energy. Still, these are just some examples so you understand just how diverse biomass is and why biomass conservation can help save the planet with careful planning, such as sustainable forest management for the forest residues (like what we participate in!)

 

As previously mentioned, biomass is considered a renewable energy form; therefore, it is argued that if it is managed sustainably, it could reduce carbon emissions. There have always been critics of biomass as a sustainable energy generation source who have argued that it cannot be constituted as sustainable due to the large quantities of biomass in wood pellet form (like ours). This could have been valid years ago; however, with the new technologies developed to capture any emissions that are generated when combusted (this resource discussed it more) and sustainable forest management, biomass is now a massive contributor to meeting the UK’s long term emissions reduction goals. We are proud to say we have a helping hand in moving us towards zero net emissions in energy generation in the future. 

Conservation is a very complex subject to understand, yet it needs to be discussed more and more. By participating in conservation, such as biomass conservation, the natural world, including its wildlife, is protected. Conservation seeks to use natural resources sustainably, and the most obvious reason is to protect wildlife and ecosystems and promote biodiversity.

With climate change wreaking havoc on our planet due to our actions against it, conservation and protection are vital to reduce the harm we have on the environment and support our natural world. The goal is to live with the rest of the wildlife on the planet, not to harm them directly or indirectly through what we do to improve our lives. Conservation work is the biggest thing to battle against global warming and avoid catastrophes due to past mistakes.

We hope we have helped you understand more about biomass conservation (and conservation in general). If you ever have any more queries concerning our work with biomass fuel, we welcome you to give us a call and ask anything you want! Together, we can build a better environment for future generations while still generating energy for our homes and businesses.