Alternative Energy Sources in Thailand

INTRODUCTION
Economic development, along with an increasing population and advancement of lifestyle, leads to an increase in energy demand globally in contrast to a limited supply and source of energy. In the past few decades, fossil fuels have been the main source of energy but the drawbacks of fossil based energy are limited reserves and a high contribution towards global warming. Security of energy supply depends on the cost of fuels and long term physical availability. Like Thailand, countries without their own fossil fuel supplies are focused on renewable energy sources due to the uncertain price stability of fossil fuels and local availability. Renewable energy technologies comparatively produce little or no greenhouse gases and rely on virtually inexhaustible natural elements for their fuels. Some of these technologies are already competitive and widely available.

WIND ENERGY

-Brief DescriptionWind energy has been renowned in European countries and it is becoming popular in other parts of the world according to open literature. Wind energy is one type of a clean and easily available energy resource among various sources of renewable energy. In the past, windmills were conventionally applied for grinding grain and pumping water. However, electricity generation has become a significant application of wind energy nowadays. Wind electricity is generated on a large scale so as to supply into a national grid and it is also an important source of supply for electricity in remote isolated areas where a national electricity supply is either not available or it would be very expensive to join into the national electricity supply. Electricity generation from the wind energy may bring in a preferable low-cost alternative of the renewable energy technologies once firstly concerning about less environmental degradation. -How it WorksFrom old Holland to farms in the United States, windmills have been used for pumping water or grinding grain. Today, the windmill's modern equivalenta wind turbinecan use the wind's energy to generate electricity. Wind turbines, like windmills, are mounted on a tower to capture the most energy. At 100 feet (30 meters) or more aboveground, they can take advantage of the faster and less turbulent wind. Turbines catch the wind's energy with their propeller-like blades. Usually, two or three blades are mounted on a shaft to form a rotor.

A blade acts much like an airplane wing. A pocket of low-pressure air forms on the downwind side of the blade when the wind blows. The low-pressure air pocket then pulls the blade toward it, causing the rotor to turn. This is called lift. The force of the lift is actually much stronger than the wind's force against the front side of the blade, which is called drag. The combination of lift and drag causes the rotor to spin like a propeller, and the turning shaft spins a generator to make electricity. -Disadvantages of Wind EnergyThe main disadvantage regarding wind power is down to the winds unreliability factor. In many areas, the winds strength is too low to support a wind turbine or wind farm, and this is where the use of solar power or geothermal power could be great alternatives. Winds turbines generally produce allot less electricity than the average fossil fuelled power station, requiring multiple wind turbines to be built in order to make an impact. Wind turbine construction can be very expensive and costly to surrounding wildlife during the build process. The noise pollution from commercial wind turbines is sometimes similar to a small jet engine. This is fine if you live miles away, where you will hardly notice the noise, but what if you live within a few hundred meters of a turbine? This is a major disadvantage. Protests and/or petitions usually confront any proposed wind farm development. People feel the countryside should be left in tact for everyone to enjoy its beauty. -Advantages of Wind EnergyWind energy is friendly to the surrounding environment, as no fossil fuels are burnt to generate electricity from wind energy. Wind turbines take up less space than the average power station. Windmills only have to occupy a few square meters for the base; this allows the land around the turbine to be used for many purposes, for example agriculture. Newer technologies are making the extraction of wind energy much more efficient. The wind is free, and we are able to cash in on this free source of energy. Wind turbines are a great resource to generate energy in remote locations, such as mountain communities and remote countryside. Wind turbines can be a range of different sizes in order to support varying population levels. Another advantage of wind energy is that when combined with solar electricity, this energy source is great for developed and developing countries to provide a steady, reliable supply of electricity. -5 Smart Uses for Wind Energy1) Energy-generating wind turbines: Wind turbines are installed to capture the power of the wind and be able to convert it to energy. This can be on a broad scale, such as the wind turbines found on wind farms or can be on a smaller scale, such as individual wind turbines people use to generate power for their home. Companies even want to take advantage of the wind. For example, Sams Club was the first retailer reported to install a significant number of on-site micro wind turbines.

2) Wind-powered vehicles: Youve probably heard about this one recently. A car, powered primarily by wind (using kites), just completed a 3,100 mile journey across Australia. While it wasnt 100% powered by the wind, it was a good example of how cars can also be powered using alternative energies. It used a combination of wind, kite and batteries. In total, it reportedly used about $10-$15 of energy for the entire 3,100 mile journey. Not too shabby! 3) Wind/Kite-Powered Cargo Ships: Another great example of tapping into the power of the wind, can be found with Cargill. Cargill has stepped up and gone with the innovative idea of installing a large kite on one of its cargo ships in order to tap into the power of the wind and thus reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Now, of course wind has been used for hundreds and thousands of year to power sailing and smaller vessels, but now it is being used to help power larger cargo ships as well. 4) Wind-Powered Sports: For many, many years the wind has been used to power our love of sports, both literally and figuratively. Everything from simple kite-flying to sailing, wind-surfing, kitesurfing, hang-gliding, para-sailing, wind-skiing and more. 5) Wind-Powered Water Pumps: Using the wind to help pump water out of the ground is not something new. It is however a very helpful and sometimes much needed tool when it comes to some communities and countries. Tapping into the power of the wind makes sense, esp when it comes to the work needed to pump water.

SOLAR ENERGY

-Brief DescriptionSolar energy means using the energy of sunlight to provide electricity, to heat water, and to heat or cool homes, businesses or industry. Sunlight is a clean, renewable source of energy. It is a sustainable resource, meaning it doesn't run out, but can be maintained. Coal and gas are not sustainable or renewable: once they are gone, there is none left. More and more people wants to use clean, renewable energy such as solar, wind, geothermal steam and others. It is called 'Green Power'. -How It WorksPhotovoltaic (PV) solar cells directly convert sunlight into electricity. The simplest cells are used to operate wristwatches and calculators, and more complicated systems are used to light houses. PV cells are combined into modules called arrays, and the number of arrays used determines the amount of electricity produced. For example, a large number of arrays would be needed to generate electricity for a power plant. A power plant can also use a concentrating solar power system where sunlight is focused with mirrors to create a high-intensity heat source to produce steam or mechanical power to run a generator that creates electricity. -Disadvantages of Solar energyThere is no doubt that solar energy is abundant and free but the initial cost of installing a solar power system is the main disadvantage of solar energy. However this problem can be solved by going in for DIY solar power systems. If you have dedication and patience, with small investment you can get immediate results and can also get the relief from high installation costs when done by professionals. Geographical location and climate of a place can be a source of advantage or disadvantage of solar energy. The efficiency of the solar panels is dependent upon the amount of sunlight received. If you live in a place where you dont receive much of the Sun, you wont be able to generate enough power. Solar panels cant withstand large hail storms, so the area receiving lot of hail wont be right for solar power generation. Another disadvantage of Solar energy is that it generates electricity only during the day time or in other words there will be no generation of electricity during night, although a battery backup system and/or net metering can solve this problem.

-Advantages of Solar energyEnvironmentally friendly: Solar energy is generated from a renewable source and its production does not emit any harmful pollutants and emissions. Power plants which are catering the maximum amount

for our energy needs use fossil fuels to generate electricity and emit very harmful green house gaseswhich are disturbing the balance of the nature. The best way to save our nature from further loss is to go for the renewable sources of energy. Solar is one of the best options as the source of power generation is free of cost, renewable and good for our environment. Renewable resource: Another advantage of solar energy is that it is inexhaustible and unlike fossil fuels, source of energy for solar power is renewable. Sun is the source to generate Solar energy and Sun is freely available everywhere and is not going to exhaust in future. Saves Money: Fossil fuels reserves are rapidly depleting and with increase in population, the demand of electricity is increasingthis is driving the costs of electricity to elevated levels. If you choose to install solar power systems for your home, your electricity bills will go down. As you will be generating your own electricity, you need not to pay for outrageous prices for electricity. The initial costs are no doubt exorbitant but one should realize that these expenses are just one-time and should be considered as an investment which they really are. Best part is that you probably will never have to pay another electric bill again which is increasing day by day. This way, when the initial investment is recovered, the energy from the sun is practically FREE. -Top 10 Coolest Uses of Solar Panel10. Solar Powered Desert Structure

This amazing structure brings solar technology into a context of art, beauty and architecture. On a sunny day, the solar panels will be able to generate up to 10 MW of electrical power for the local community. In addition to generating renewable energy, the structure will also shelter visitors from the hot sun.

9. Solar Powered Stadium

Taiwan's dragon-shaped arena is the perfect example of the scalability of solar power. Designed by Toyo Ito, this 50,000 seat area generates 100% of its electricity from photovoltaic technology through its 8,844 solar panels that illuminate the track and field with 3,300 lux. 8. Flower Power

This stunning installation built on an old industrial site in Austin, TX is made up of 15 flower-like solar photovoltaic panels that soak up the sun's rays to generate a steady stream of renewable energy

and provide shade. The flowers collect energy during the day to power the installation's blue LED lights at night. 7. Solar Powered Artificial Plant

A team of Japanese scientists and engineers created an artificial houseplant with high- efficiency organic thin-film solar cells as leaves. Each flexible leaf has a complex structure protected by a thin plastic layer which means that in the future these generators could be embedded into buildings, clothes, and toys.

6. Solar Powered Plane

The sky's the limit with solar power. Literally. As wide as a jumbo jet and the weight of a mid-sized car, the Solar Impulse plane, composed of 12,000 solar panels, can fly day and night. It's currently undergoing test flights, but it's working towards a record-breaking round-the-world journey. 5. Solar Paint

Paint on your solar power. Solar paint entails a nanoscale mixture of photovoltaic components that can be painted or sprayed on to any number of surfaces to create cheap, efficient solar cells. Research on this technology is still in its infancy, but we love the huge potential for creative applications. 4. Solar Pyramids

The Lunar Cubit is an award winning design proposal which consists of a series of solar panel pyramids forming a renewal energy plant. This amazing series of pyramids will power homes in Abu Dhabi and will also serve as a stunning, illuminated public art installation by night.

3. Solar Crane at Coachella

We love this spectacular oversized origami installation at Coachella. As thousands of fans enter the festival they will pass under the welcoming wings, lit by solar-powered LED lights. The giant creature is a living art installation, a beacon, shelter, destination, as well as a universal message of peace.

2. Solar Intersections

Solar art doesn't have to be outdoor art. These site-specific installations that are designed with the sun in mind to maximize the visual impact of renewable power generation. They work by simply collecting energy though embedded solar cells to in turn power interior lighting. 1. Solar Trash Cans

These amazing solar trash cans were designed to reduce the impact of trash in cities. Powered by the sun, these compactors allow the cans to store more trash, thus lowering the operating costs, fuel consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions associated with garbage collection by up to 80%.

GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
-A Brief Description-

The earth beneath our feet contains a significant amount of energy in the form of heat. This is referred to as geothermal energy and has the potential to generate geothermal power to provide large communities with a renewable electricity supply. People have made use of geothermal energy in the form of hot springs for centuries however the first attempt to generate electricity from this energy source did not occur until the 20th century. The production of electricity from geothermal energy sources can be a highly efficient means of delivering clean and renewable electricity to many people. Location is of key importance for the development of an efficient geothermal power station and therefore, economically viable levels of electricity can only be generated in certain areas of the world. There are only a handful of locations across the world that are capable of producing viable and efficient levels of electricity from geothermal energy sources and as a result of this, in 2007, less than 1% of the world's electricity supply was produced from geothermal sources. There are a variety of different geothermal power station designs, each of which offers a unique way of extracting geothermal energy. The three main power plant designs which utilise geothermal as an energy source are as follows:

Dry Steam Flash Steam Binary-Cycle

-How it WorksMany technologies have been developed to take advantage of geothermal energythe heat from the earth. This heat can be drawn from several sources: hot water or steam reservoirs deep in the earth that are accessed by drilling; geothermal reservoirs located near the earth's surface, mostly located in the western U.S., Alaska, and Hawaii; and the shallow ground near the Earth's surface that maintains a relatively constant temperature of 50-60F. This variety of geothermal resources allows them to be used on both large and small scales. A utility can use the hot water and steam from reservoirs to drive generators and produce electricity for its customers. Other applications apply the heat produced from geothermal directly to various uses in buildings, roads, agriculture, and industrial plants. Still others use the heat directly from the ground to provide heating and cooling in homes and other buildings.

-Disadvantages of Geothermal Energy-

Here we shall discuss the different disadvantages of geothermal energy. Geothermal heat is extracted from deep within the earths surface, and this is the main disadvantage concerning finding a suitable build location, There are some other deciding factors that may convince a constructor to build a different type of renewable energy power plant in a different location, such as a wind turbine. So, we have established the main disadvantages of building a geothermal energy plant mainly lie in the exploration stage. During exploration, researchers will do a land survey (which may take several years to complete) and then post their findings to the company that contracted the survey. Many companies who order surveys are often disappointed, as quite often the land they were interested in cannot support a geothermal energy plant. To extract the heat we have to find certain hot spots within the earths crust, these are very common around volcanoes and fault lines, but who wants to build their geothermal energy plant next to a volcano? Some areas of land may have the sufficient hot rocks to supply hot water to a power station, but what if these areas are contained in harsh areas of the world (near the poles) or high up in mountains. Some very good proven spots have been found in New Zealand, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. The questions that are usually asked during a survey are; is the rock soft enough to drill through, do the rocks deep down contain sufficient heat, will this heat be sustainable for a significant amount of time, is the environment fit for a power plant. If the answer to these basic questions is yes, a more in depth survey should go ahead.

Another big disadvantage of geothermal energy extraction is that in many cases, a site that has happily been extracting steam and turning it into power for many years may suddenly stop producing steam. This can happen and last for around 10 years in some cases.

Developers of such sites must be careful and aware that in some cases, harmful gases can escape from deep within the earth, through the holes drilled by the constructors. The plant must be able to contain any leaked gases, but disposing of the gas can be very tricky to do safely. These are the disadvantages of using geothermal energy yet there are many more advantages which greatly outweigh these negatives. -Advantages of Geothermal Energy-

Here we shall discuss the advantages of geothermal energy regarding geothermal energy plants (power stations.) We can generate geothermal energy by drilling deep holes into the earths crust pumping cold water through one end and then by the time it rises back to the surface the water can be hundreds of degrees Celsius which we then use as steam to drive a turbine which drives a generator creating power. Geothermal energy is one of the best natural energies around. So the first advantage of using geothermal heat to power a power station is that, unlike most power stations, a geothermal system does not create any pollution. It may once in a while release some gases from deep down inside the earth, that may be slightly harmful, but these can be contained quite easily. The cost of the land to build a geothermal power plant on, is usually less expensive than if you were planning to construct an; oil, gas, coal, or nuclear power plant. The main reason for this is land space, as geothermal plants take up very little room, so you don't need to purchase a larger area of land. Another factor that comes into this is that because geothermal energy is very clean, you may receive tax cuts, and/or no environmental bills or quotas to comply with the countries carbon emission scheme (if they have one). No fuel is used to generate the power, which in return, means the running costs for the plants are very low as there are no costs for purchasing, transporting, or cleaning up of fuels you may consider purchasing to generate the power. The overall financial aspect of these plants is outstanding; you only need to provide power to the water pumps, which can be generated by the power plant itself anyway. So if geothermal power stations are able to provide an excellent source of clean, cheap, simple, renewable power, why isn't every power plant in the world using geothermal energy? Well to go with the advantages are some very decisive disadvantages of geothermal energy.

-10 Reasons to use Geothermal Energy10: It's Renewable Geothermal energy is collected by tapping into hot water and steam trapped beneath the Earth's surface. This water and its steam are known collectively as hydrothermal energy. Geothermal energy is considered to be limitless. Its heat comes from the core of the Earth, a 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-ayear energy source. The amount of heat extracted for use is negligible compared with the Earth's total heat content, so it's virtually impossible to make any significant impact on the inner temperature of the planet during the extraction process [source: U.S. Department of Energy]. Simply put, there is an inexhaustible supply of heat. Unless the core of the planet turns cold (which presents more pressing problems for life on Earth) it's safe to say that geothermal power is completely renewable. 9: It's Convenient Although areas around fault lines, geothermal reservoirs and volcanoes are easier to tap into, geothermal heat can literally be found everywhere. This is just one reason it's so convenient. Here's another: There's a constant supply. Geothermal energy is not dependent upon factors like sun or wind to generate power. Let's not forget that it's also local -- geothermal energy never has to be imported. If you live in the western United States, you're in luck. American harvesting of geothermal power occurs primarily out west and in Hawaii, where water is closer to the Earth's surface, which allows for easier drilling. This means your power company is more likely to be able to buy some of its electricity from a geothermal plant, which reduces dependence on nuclear power plants. That's good, because they produce toxic waste; it also reduces dependence on fossil fuels, which produce carbon emissions. 8: A Cleaner Power Plant There are three main types of geothermal plants: dry steam, flash steam and binary. All employ practices that maximize production while minimizing environmental impact. Each uses a different but related technique to power turbines, which in turn generate electricity without spewing tons of toxins into the atmosphere. Dry steam plants use underground steam, piped directly to the power plant, where it enters a turbine/generator. The only dry steam plant in the U.S. is in California. Flash steam plants are the most common type of geothermal plant, using geothermal reservoirs for power. Extremely hot water flows upward, and as it flows it is turned into steam, which powers the turbine/generator. Water is then injected back into the reservoir, making this a very sustainable power plant. Binary plants use water to boil a working fluid (usually an organic compound) that is vaporized and used to turn a turbine. Excess water is injected back into the ground, conserving water. 7: Geothermal Energy Has Many Uses You might be surprised to learn farmers and agribusinesses were two early adopters of geothermal energy. Italian farmers have used it for hundreds of years to heat water for winter crops. Geothermal energy is also used to heat and humidify greenhouses. A food dehydration plant in Empire, Nev., that's powered by geothermal energy dries 15 million pounds of onions and garlic each year [source: U.S. Department of Energy]. Dairy farmers have used it to power milk pasteurizers and fish farms gently heat their water with it.

In the U.S., geothermal energy has heated homes, backyard swimming pools and commercial buildings for more than a century. Municipalities use it to melt snow and ice on sidewalks and roads. This cuts down on the number of snowplows and sanders, saving communities money and reducing fossil fuels. Colleges and universities are getting in on the action, using the government's recent $400 million grant to convert buildings over from coal-fired plants [source: Ramde]. Perhaps the question that should be asked is: "Is there anything you can't power with geothermal energy?" 6: GHPs are Money in the Bank Rare is the person who enjoys throwing money out the window. But if your home heating and cooling systems are inefficient, that's exactly what you're doing. A geothermal heat pump can help you solve the problem and keep dollars in your wallet. A geothermal heat pump (GHP) is a heat-mover. In the winter it takes heat from a warm area and transfers it to a cool one. The reverse occurs in the summer. It's efficient, clean and cuts costs. If you live in the U.S. you're eligible for a 30 percent tax credit for installing one in your home [source: U.S. Department of Energy]. Many other countries offer similar incentives. The installation of a GHP is not a DIY project; you'll need a professional to do it. But the money spent up front comes back to you over the long haul. Every GHP has a component called a "desuperheater." In the summer the desuperheater uses the heat from your house to warm your water. What's so cool about that? It's essentially free hot water in the summertime! The U.S. Department of Energy estimates a GHP will give you an annual savings of 30 to 60 percent on utilities. When it comes to saving bucks, you can't beat the heat. 5: It's Got a Bright Future Geothermal energy production is quickly becoming a powerhouse on the alternative energy scene. Between 2005 and2010 the industry experienced an exponential growth rate of 4.25 percent per year [source: Sanyal]. Technological advances are pushing geothermal energy to new depths. Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) significantly increased the options for plant locations [source: U.S. Department of Energy]. EGS uses dry rock deep in the Earth to extract heat. In the U.S. the ability to drill deeper means production can move eastward, expanding the geothermal market. The developing world is also benefiting from geothermal energy. The Philippines produces 23 percent of its power this way and hopes to increase that production to 60 percent by 2013. In Africa, Kenya is tapping its geothermal potential in the Great Rift Valley [source: Dorn]. These advances create more than clean energy -- they create jobs. According to the National Resources Defense Council, the "near-time development of 5,600 megawatts of geothermal power" would create nearly 100,000 jobs in the United States. Engineers, architectures, construction workers (welders, plumbers, pipe fitters etc), and scientists are just some of the specialists required to research, design and build geothermal plants. 4: Hydrated but not Hydroelectric Hydroelectric (or hydropower) has been in use for more than 2,000 years. Seven percent of energy production in the United States is produced by this method. Considered clean in terms of emissions and greenhouse gases, there is a drawback: Hydroelectric plants dam rivers and streams to create

energy. Diverting water disrupts fish spawning and compromises stream-side flora and fauna. In Canada, the La Grande project has already submerged 10,000 square kilometers of land. If the rate of expansion continues, the area of land in northern Quebec submerged by the project will be larger than Switzerland [source: Baird]. Unlike hydroelectric plants, geothermal plants don't dam natural waterways to flood land to produce power. The hot water and steam lies below the Earth's surface and is processed in contained areas. In closed system geothermal plants, water is re-injected into the ground and used again at a later date. Wells are fortified to prevent water leakage, making geothermal energy production less harmful to local water sources and the people, plants and animals living close by. 3: It's Reliable Geothermal energy is considered to be incredibly reliable. While it's true that power production can vary depending upon the available hydrothermal resources, a typical geothermal plant operates at 95 percent to 99 percent "plant availability." What does that mean? If it has permission to operate it can be counted on to produce a steady stream of power with little or no interruptions [source: Krief and Goswami]. A typical coal plant operates at 75 percent of operating ability. Geothermal energy holds its ground when compared with other forms of alternative energy. A big advantage geothermal energy has over wind power is that it doesn't grapple with "dispatchability." The Earth provides a constant source of heat. Wind turbines are dependent on wind: No wind means no energy. And even when the wind blows, its speed is variable, which makes it difficult to control. The same holds true for solar power, production of which dips on cloudy days., There is also a lot less that can go wrong with a geothermal power plant, which has day-to-day operations much less complex than those of other types of plants. Every geothermal plant built in the past 100 years is still in use [source: Energy Consumers Edge]. 2: Impact on the Local Environment In the U.S., geothermal plants are required to meet strict local, state and federal environmental laws to protect wildlife and vegetation. The Geysers, a geothermal facility in California, even recycles wastewater from a nearby treatment facility. Eleven million gallons are pumped each day into one of their geothermal reservoirs. Thick casings help prevent cross-contamination with local watersheds [source: Kagel, Bates and Gawell]. Power plants often create a good deal of racket, and geothermal plants must adhere to local noise pollution regulations. The noise from the cooling fans is minimal and sound mufflers are often installed around equipment [source: Geothermal Energy Association]. It's been noted that decibel levels of a geothermal plant are equivalent to "near leaves rustling from the breeze" [source: Kagel, Bates and Gawell]. Geothermal plants are also designed to blend in to their surroundings. They cannot be built on federally protected lands. In fact, plants are often built on multiple-use land that doubles for farming and recreation. This helps to minimize sprawl and preserve open spaces [source: Kagel, Bates and Gawell].

BIOMASS ENERGY
-A Brief DescriptionTo many people, the most familiar forms of renewable energy are the wind and the sun. But biomass (plant material and animal waste) is the oldest source of renewable energy, used since our ancestors learned the secret of fire. Wood is still the largest biomass energy resource today, but other sources of biomass can also be used. These include food crops, grassy and woody plants, residues from agriculture or forestry, oil-rich algae, and the organic component of municipal and industrial wastes. Even the fumes from landfills (which are methane, the main component in natural gas) can be used as a biomass energy source. -How it Works-

From the time of Prometheus to the present, the most common way to capture the energy from biomass was to burn it to make heat. Since the industrial revolution this biomass fired heat has produced steam power, and more recently this biomass fired steam power has been used to generate electricity. Burning biomass in conventional boilers can have numerous environmental and air-quality advantages over burning fossil fuels. Advances in recent years have shown that there are even more efficient and cleaner ways to use biomass. It can be converted into liquid fuels, for example, or cooked in a process called "gasification" to produce combustible gases, which reduces various kinds of emissions from biomass combustion, especially particulates Direct combustion The oldest and most common way of converting biomass to electricity is to burn it to produce steam, which turns a turbine that produces electricity. The problems with direct combustion of biomass are that much of the energy is wasted and that it can cause some pollution if it is not carefully controlled. Direct combustion can be done in a plant using solely biomass (a dedicated plant) or in a plant made to burn another fuel, usually coal. Co-firing An approach that may increase the use of biomass energy in the short term is to mix it with coal and burn it at a power plant designed for coala process known as co-firing. Through gasification, biomass can also be co-fired at natural gas-powered plants. The benefits associated with biomass co-firing can include lower operating costs, reductions of harmful emissions like sulfur and mercury, greater energy security and, with the use of beneficial biomass, lower carbon emissions. Co-firing is also one of the more economically viable ways to increase biomass power generation today, since it can be done with modifications to existing facilities.

Repowering Coal plants can also be converted to run entirely on biomass, known as re-powering. (Similarly, natural gas plants could also be converted to run on biogas made from biomass; see below.) Combined heat and power (CHP) Direct combustion of biomass produces heat that can also be used to heat buildings or for industrial processes (for example, see textbox on Koda Energy above). Because they use heat energy that would otherwise be wasted, CHP facilities can be significantly more efficient than direct combustion systems. However, it is not always possible or economical to find customers in need of heat in close proximity to power plants. Biomass gasification By heating biomass in the presence of a carefully controlled amount of oxygen and under pressure, it can be converted into a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide called syngas. This syngas is often refined to remove contaminants. Equipment can also be added to separate and remove the carbon dioxide in a concentrated form. The syngas can then be run directly through a gas turbine or burned and run through a steam turbine to produce electricity. Biomass gasification is generally cleaner and more efficient that direct combustion of biomass. Syngas can also be further processed to make liquid biofuels or other useful chemicals. Anaerobic digestion Micro-organisms break down biomass to produce methane and carbon dioxide. This can occur in a carefully controlled way in anaerobic digesters used to process sewage or animal manure. Related processes happen in a less-controlled manner in landfills, as biomass in the garbage breaks down. A portion of this methane can be captured and burned for heat and power. In addition to generating biogas, which displaces natural gas from fossil fuel sources, such collection processes keep the methane from escaping to the atmosphere, reducing emissions of a powerful global warming gas. Energy density Another important consideration with biomass energy systems is that unprocessed biomass contains less energy per pound than fossil fuelsit has less energy density. Green woody biomass contains as much as 50% water by weight. This means that unprocessed biomass typically can't be costeffectively shipped more than about 50-100 miles by truck before it is converted into fuel or energy. It also means that biomass energy systems may be smaller scale and more distributed than their fossil fuel counterparts, because it is hard to sustainably gather and process more than a certain amount of in one place. This has the advantage that local, rural communities will be able to design energy systems that are self-sufficient, sustainable, and adapted to their own needs. However, there are ways to increase the energy density of biomass and to decrease its shipping costs. Drying, grinding and pressing biomass into pellets increases its energy density. Compared to raw logs or wood chips, biomass pellets can also be more efficiently handled with augers and conveyers used in power plants. In addition, shipping biomass by water greatly reduces transportation costs compared to hauling it by truck. Thus, hauling pelletized biomass by water has made it economical to transport biomass much greater distanceseven thousands of miles, across the Atlantic and Pacific, to markets in Japan and Europe. In the last few years, the international trade in pelletized biomass has been growing rapidly, largely serving European utilities that need to meet renewable energy requirements and carbon-reduction mandates. Several large pellet manufacturers are locating in the Southern US, with its prodigious forest plantation resource, to serve such markets.

-Advantages and Disadvantages of Biomass EnergyLike all energy sources, biomass has environmental impacts and risks. The main impacts and risks from biomass are sustainability of the resource use, air quality and carbon emissions. Sustainability Biomass energy production involves annual harvests or periodic removals of crops, residues, trees or other resources from the land. These harvests and removals need to be at levels that are sustainable, i.e., ensure that current use does not deplete the lands ability to meet future needs, and also be done in ways that dont degrade other important indicators of sustainability. Because biomass markets may involve new or additional removals of residues, crops, or trees, we should be careful to minimize impacts from whatever additional demands biomass growth or harvesting makes on the land. Markets for corn stover, wheat straw and other crop residues are common and considerable research has been done on residue management. In addition, participation in some federal crop programs requires conservation plans. As a result of established science and policy, farmers generally leave a certain percentage of crop residues on fields, depending on soil and slope, to reduce erosion and maintain fertility. Additional harvests of crop residues or the growth of energy crops might require additional research and policy to minimize impacts. In forestry, where residue or biomass markets are less common, new guidelines might need to be developed. Existing best management practices (BMPs) were developed to address forest management issues, especially water quality, related to traditional sawlog and pulpwood markets, with predictable harvest levels. But the development of new biomass markets will entail larger biomass removals from forests, especially forestry residues and small diameter trees. Current BMPs may not be sufficient under higher harvesting levels and new harvests of previously unmarketable materials. However, because woody biomass is often a low-value product, sustainability standards must be relatively inexpensive to implement and verify. Thankfully, we can improve the sustainability of biomass harvests with little added cost to forest owners through the use of existing forest management programs, including 1) biomass BMPs, 2) certification or 3) forest management plans. Working with forest owner associations, foresters, forest ecologists, wildlife conservation experts and biomass developers, UCS helped develop practical and effective sustainability provisions that can provide a measure of assurance that woody biomass harvests will be sustainable. State-based biomass Best Management Practices (BMPs) or guidelines. Missouri, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Maine and Wisconsin developed biomass harvesting guidelines to avoid negative impacts of biomass removals. Other states and regions, including Southern states, are also developing biomass guidelines. Developed through collaborative stakeholder processes, BMPs are practical enough to be used by foresters and loggers. Third-party forest certification. Certification can also be used to verify the sustainability of biomass harvests. Between them, the Forest Stewardship Council, the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, and Tree Farm have certified nearly 275 millions of acres of industrial and private forestland in the U.S. Certification programs already address, or are being updated to address, many of the concerns related to biomass harvests. Forest management plans written by professionally-accredited foresters. Foresters can help anticipate and therefore minimize impacts of additional biomass removals. Although a minority of smaller forest owners have management plans, forest owner associations have long recommended that more forest owners have them written to better achieve their financial and conservation objectives. Forest owners who have management plans stand to make more money than if they lacked such plans. To avoid outof-pocket costs, proceeds from biomass sales could cover the cost of writing management plans. Whether implemented through BMPs, certification or management plans, sustainability standards should minimize short-term impacts and avoid long-term degradation of water quality, soil productivity, wildlife habitat, and biodiversityall key indicators of sustainability. Science and local

conditions need to be used in determining the standards. For example, fire-adapted forests will likely require retention of less woody biomass than forests adapted to other disturbances such as hurricanes. Sustainability standards should ensure nutrients removed in a biomass harvest are replenished and that removals do not damage long-term productivity, especially on sensitive soils. Coarse woody material that could be removed for biomass energy also provides crucial wildlife habitat; depending on a states wildlife, standards might protect snags, den trees, and large downed woody material. Biodiversity can be fostered through sustainability standards that encourage retention of existing native ecosystems and forest restoration. Lastly, sustainability standards should provide for the regrowth of the forestsurely a requirement for woody biomass to be truly renewable. Air quality Especially with the emissions from combustion systems, biomass can impact air quality. Emissions vary depending on the biomass resource, the conversion technology (type of power plant), and the pollution controls installed at the plant. The table below from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Oak Ridge National Laboratory compares air emissions from different biomass, coal and natural gas power plants with pollution control equipment. Because most biomass resources and natural gas contain far less sulfur and mercury than coal, biomass and natural gas power plants typically emit far less of these pollutants than do coal-fired power plants. Sulfur emissions are a key cause of smog and acid rain. Mercury is a known neurotoxin. Similarly, biopower plants emit less nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions than conventional coal plants. NOx emissions create harmful particulate matter, smog and acid rain that results in billions of dollars of public health costs each year. Biopower systems that use either fluidized bed or gasification have NOx emissions that are comparable to new natural gas plants. Biopower facilities with stoker boilers do emit significant quantities of particulates (PM 10) and carbon monoxide (CO), but these emissions can also be significantly reduced with fluidized bed and gasification systems. Advanced coal gasification power plants also produce significantly lower air emissions than conventional coal plants.

SOURCES http://www.kidcyber.com.au/topics/solar.htm http://ses2010.info/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-solar-energy/ http://www.nrel.gov http://www.clean-energy-ideas.com http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/our-energy-choices/renewable-energy/how-biomass-energyworks.html http://biofriendly.com/blog/renewable-energy/5-smart-uses-for-wind-powered-energy/ http://dsc.discovery.com/tv-shows/curiosity/topics/10-reasons-use-geothermal-energy.htm http://www.buzzfeed.com/thegeshow/top-10-coolest-uses-of-solar-panels