BIOMASS - A MODERN AND ENVIRONMENTALLY ACCEPTABLE FUEL

The energy of the sun and carbon dioxide from the atmosphere are captu red by plants during photosynthesis. Plant biomass can be used to abso rb carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels, or it can be converted into modern energy carriers such as electricity, and liquid and gaseou s fuels. Biomass supplies 13% of the world's energy consumption (55 EJ , 1990), and in some developing countries it accounts for over 90% of energy use. There is considerable potential for the modernisation of b iomass fuels through improved utilisation of existing resources, highe r plant productivities and efficient conversion processes using advanc ed technologies. The interest in bioenergy is increasing rapidly, and it is widely considered as one of the main renewable energy resources of the future due to its large potential, economic viability, and vari ous social and environmental benefits. In particular, biomass energy i s among the most favourable options for reducing carbon dioxide emissi ons. Most of the perceived problems such as land availability, environ mental impact, economic viability, and efficiency can be overcome with good management. The constraints to achieving environmentally-accepta ble biomass production are not insurmountable, but should rather be se en as scientific and entrepreneurial opportunities which will yield nu merous advantages at local, national and international levers in the l ong term.