A SURVEYOFBIOMASS AS AN ALTERNATIVE RENEWABLE ENERGY

A SURVEYOFBIOMASS AS AN ALTERNATIVE RENEWABLE ENERGY

P.O. Alao¹*, F. Onaifo², O.G.; Olasunkanmi³, & S.O Ezekiel⁴

¹²³⁴Department of Electrical/Electronic Engineering

 Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State, Nigeria

Email Address: peter.alao@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng, frank.onaifo@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng

 *Corresponding Author

 ABSTRACT

This paper presents biomass as another source of reliable renewable energy. Biomass simply means gathering large quantity of vegetation to serve as a source of energy and power. The paper investigates anaerobic method of producing biogas from agricultural and food waste, especially food crops. Biogas is produced by means of controlled anaerobic digester treatment of organic materials by bacteria. The control mechanism of this method is discussed taking cognisance of its advantages and drawbacks when compared with other renewable energy system. However, the harvest and discharge techniques of the biogas using separator, gas holder and bag gasholder were investigated. The biogas is similar to natural gas, hence, serves as a good source of energy. In addition, co-generation system (electricity and heat), is achievable with biomass (biogas) on the basis of reciprocating engine. The sustainability of biomass always generate hot debate but practices like short rotation harvesting and re-planting are already designed to make it sustainable. This report discussed the negative impact of burning biomass on the ecosystems and the atmosphere. The carbon footprint of biomass is discovered to be a great task to calculate compare to calculating the carbon footprint of other renewable energy sources e.g solar, wind, turbine etc. However, replenishment of biomass and re-absorption of carbon dioxide, co₂, by the replenished biomass is an area of concern in this study.

Keywords:biomass, biogas, anaerobic, co-generation, carbon footprint, ecosystems