Pros and Cons of Biomass Fuel Trivia Quiz

Answer: Pros

Biomass is a very renewable resource. Biomass ultimately comes from plants and plants ultimately get their energy from the sun. Biomass can continually produce new biomass-- a definite advantage biomass has over fossil fuels, where producing new energy is an extremely slow process.

Answer: Pros

Use of biomass definitely leads to waste reduction. It's important to remember that using biomass as an energy source means that there is less biomass in landfills. Biomass in landfills produces methane (CH4), a polluting gas.

Answer: Pros

Biomass is more reliable than many other energy sources. It doesn't vary like a sometimes shining sun or a sometimes blowing wind. You can always count on how much power is produced. Biomass does not need to be converted into energy right away either, making it easier to score.

Answer: Pros

Biomass includes staple crops such as corn and soybeans which are grown in large quantities. They are not necessarily only grown on farms but can also include plant life such as trees. They are harvested regularly and can be harvested repeatedly.

Answer: Pros

Biomass has the potential to be a carbon neutral energy source. Yes, biomass often releases carbon dioxide (CO2) when the energy is consumed. However, the carbon dioxide that is released had previously been absorbed by the biomass.

Answer: Cons

Biomass is more expensive than some other energy sources. First, one must consider the expense of the physical plant. Second, there is the cost of harvesting and using the biomass. This is more noticeable when comparing biomass to other renewable sources as opposed to non-renewable sources.

Answer: Cons

Biomass often requires a significant amount of space to store the material. In addition, the material often needs to be stored in the proximity of the plant to limit transportation costs. Finally increasing amounts of space may be needed to grow the biomass.

Answer: Cons

Biomass can have a variety of hidden costs. Biomass can lead to deforestation for the production of material. Biomass can also use up a significant amount of resources, such as water, in producing material. Depending on the specific type of biomass, other resources may be required.

Answer: Cons

Compared to a number of energy sources, biomass is less efficient, relatively speaking. Processing and using biomass uses a lot of energy. In some cases, using biomass actually consumes more energy than is produced by the biomass.

Answer: Cons

Biomass can release some harmful toxins into the air when consumed as energy. These can include carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides, and other gases. These gases can contribute to health issues such as respiratory diseases and heart diseases, among others.