Chapter 2 – Biomass Energy

Biomass provides about 14% of the world's energy, about 25 million barrels of oil equivalent per day (mboe/day) (=55EJ). It is the most important (35%) source of energy in developing countries but also plays a significant role in a number of industrial countries, eg the USA obtains 4% (1½ mboe/day) of its energy from biomass, and Sweden about 14%; both countries have plans to increase bioenergy production and use. Annual resources of biomass are eight times the world's energy-use but the problem is getting the energy to those who need it in an environmentally sustainable manner, and which is also economic when all internal and external costs are accounted for. There is considerable scope to modernize biomass energy production delivery systems to provide varied energy carriers such as electricity, liquid fuels and gases. Successful case studies for traditional and modern biofuels in a number of countries are presented. Economic, social and environmental issues are examined over the whole biomass energy spectrum.