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Q: Why biomass energy might not be a good alternative energy source?
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What does it mean that a form of energy might take more energy to harness than it provides?

It means that we would get less energy out of that source than we put into it, so the net result is wasted energy.


Types of renewable energy and how does each works?

HydropowerHydropower is the largest source of renewable energy.Converting flowing water into usable energy produces hydropower. Most of this water comes from rivers and is released through turbines to produce energy. Although this power source does not release pollution, it can possibly harm fish and wildlife, displace people, and alter the quality of water. Better technology is trying to reduce the loss of aquatic life, but the problem with this technology is that it is highly expensive and takes a long time to build.Biomass/BioenergyBiomass makes up about 7,000 Megawatts of renewable electricity. Biomass fuels stem from industrial processing, such as forestry and wood products, agriculture and wood products, and construction and transportation. Biomass can replace coal in power plants because it produces less sulfur dioxide than coal.Mill operations seem to be the main source of biomass energy in the U.S. Europe, on the other hand, draws its main source of bioenergy from urban wood waste. Third world countries make timber their main source of bioenergy.According from statistics from the International Energy Agency, 11% of the world derives its energy from biomass. Developing countries use about 35%, while the poorest ones use roughly 90%.One way to convert biomass into usable energy is through gasification-converting biomass to gas and burning it in a gas turbine.Geothermal EnergyGeothermal energy is capable of producing about 2,800 Megawatts of energy per year, or roughly .2% of the energy in the U.S. Geothermal energy is produced from naturally occurring steam and hot water from under the Earth's surface. The steam rotates a turbine, which in turn powers an electric generator. Also, hot water can be used to directly heat buildings. The downside to geothermal energy is that land sites are very hard to find and extremely rare. A positive fact is that geothermal energy is very cost effective and reliable.Wind EnergyThe wind rotates blades around a hub, which is connected to the main shaft. The main shaft spins a generator. The size of turbines is determined by how much energy is needed. Small wind turbines are usually used for homes, farms and ranches. Other ways to use wind energy include grinding grain and pumping water.Wind is classed in categories of 1 through 7, with 7 being the highest and 1 being the lowest. A good wind source that has a class of 3 or higher is the east coast and along the Appalachian Mountains. North Dakota is an excellent wind source.The disadvantages of wind energy are that again, the technology is very expensive, the machinery is known to be noisy, birds have been killed by running into the turbines, and the wind might not be present at certain times throughout the year.Photovoltaics (PV) CellsPV cells produce electricity from sunlight. Materials used in computer chips are similar to materials used in PV cells. These materials absorb sunlight, which frees the electrons from their atoms and allows them to generate electricity.PV cells are great because they don't require high maintenance, are very reliable, and don't produce pollutants.Although it is better to use renewable energy, we still have to use some type of fossil fuels. We can, however, make the best choices, by using natural gas for water heating and power appliance, which not only is better for the environment, but costs less as well.The downside to this power resource is that it costs more than other energy sources and tends to work effectively only when the sun is shining.


What might happen to oil rich countries if their oil was used up or if people found a new energy source to replace oil?

They would surely hit ROCK BOTTOM!


What type of chemist might study how an athlete uses energy during a competition?

A Biochemist might study how energy is used in athletes during competition since they study chemical processes, and reactions in living organisms.


Why might an online science article be a reliable source?

it could be useful by helping others with their explorations

Related questions

What are two reasons why biomass energy might not be a good alternative energy source?

Growing plants to use for energy uses land that can be used for growing food.Burning plants produces greenhouse gases.


What energy source might involve burning wood or producing gasohol?

Biomass


Is biofuel and biomass the same thing?

No, it isn't. Biomass is any organic material. A moldy piece of cheese in your fridge might be biomass, but it definitely isn't biofuel. Biomass is organic material that is made from plants and animals, which are microorganisms. They can be burned as fuel, or biofuel (if there is a fireplace, the wood that is burned is a biofuel). It is burned for the energy, such as cooking over it, or just to stay warm. It is also a renewable source. Biomass fuels provide about 4% of the energy used in the United States.


What are four alternative fuel sources and how do you think that they could save the average person money?

Wind, solar, tidal, biomass. I don't think the first three will save you money. Biomass might do if you have your own woodland and cut the wood yourself


Why might a country choose to use one energy source over another?

I'm not expert, but I might say that other, better, energy sources were not around at the time when they choose there main energy source.


Where might one go to learn more about battery technology?

To learn more about battery technology you can go to Battery Tech, Alternative Energy Source, Science Daily, Extreme Tech, Popular Mechanics and Technology Review.


What life might be without the source of energy?

your life will be less movement...


Why might wind be limited as an alternate energy source?

Because it is not constant.


What might happen to an organism if it has to compete for its source of energy?

It might get enough energy for its needs, or it might not.Note that this is the usual situation - there are usually other organisms, with which an organism has to compete.


In what ways might a drink that does not have a metabolic energy source provide the perception of increased energy after consumption?

hi


What energy resources might replace dwindling petroleum supplies one day?

Renewable energy (solar, wind, water, hydro, tidal and wave, geothermal, ocean thermal, biomass, biofuel and hydrogen).


What is an important renewable source of energy?

Water power, mostly in hydro-electric power plants attached to dams and rivers, is the most common source of renewable energy. Close to 17% of the world's electricity is generated from hydro.