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BioEnergy and BioFuel

Under the Washington State Governor’s Climate Change Challenge (Executive Order 07-02), direction was given to assess and develop renewal energy alternatives. Of the alternatives that are possible, biomass conversion into bioenergy and/or biofuel comes second only to hydro power as a source of renewal energy within the State. Biomass can be obtained from many sources including agriculture, forestry and municipal solid waste (MSW). Forest management residues, typically burned in piles after timber harvests, represent a large source of woody biomass that is currently underutilized and could be available as a carbon neutral energy feedstock as a replacement for fossil fuel.

Biomass energy is stored energy from the sun contained in organic materials such as plant matter and animal waste. Biomass is considered renewable because it is replenished more quickly when compared to the millions of years required to replenish fossil fuels. The wide variety of biomass fuel sources includes agricultural residue, pulp/paper mill residue, urban wood waste, forest residue, energy crops, landfill methane, and animal waste.

This diagram links energy in homes and industry to crops, wood, wastes, and ultimately to the sun. Using biomass energy moves us toward a sustainable cycle of production and consumption, because biomass is renewable. Biomass energy closes the carbon loop and prevents greenhouse gas emissions.

Converting biomass into energy produces carbon dioxide. As biomass regenerates, it "breathes" carbon dioxide and absorbs solar energy. So when we grow as much biomass as we use for fuel, we reduce carbon dioxide emissions to zero.

Biomass, Bioenergy, and Biofuel

Biomass - Plant material, vegetation, forestry byproducts, or agricultural waste used as a fuel or energy source.

The organic materials produced by plants, such as leaves, roots, seeds, and stalks. In some cases, microbial and animal metabolic wastes are also considered biomass. The term "biomass" is intended to refer to materials that do not directly go into foods or consumer products but may have alternative industrial uses. Common sources of biomass are (1) agricultural wastes, such as corn stalks, straw, seed hulls, sugarcane leavings, bagasse , nutshells, and manure from cattle, poultry , and hogs; (2) wood materials, such as wood or bark, sawdust , timber slash, and mill scrap; (3) municipal waste, such as waste paper and yard clippings; and (4) energy crops, such as poplars, willows, switchgrass, alfalfa , prairie bluestem, corn ( starch ), and soybean (oil). (from Answers.com)

Bioenergy - Renewable energy made from materials derived from biological sources. There are three major ways in which the energy in plants is utilized: direct burning, conversion to gas, and conversion to alcohol.

Biofuel - Defined broadlybiofuel is solid, liquid, or gas fuel consisting of, or derived from biomass.

Streaming Video Presentations

College of Forest Resources Research and Technology Showcase: "Biofuels and Bioenergy" -

November 2, 2007

Biofuel and Bioenergy are subjects that are growing as possible solutions to decrease dependence on foreign oil while also diminishing the contribution of carbon to the atmosphere. These two topics are currently being researched in earnest at the College of Forest Resources , and these presentations illustrate what we've learned so far and where more research is still needed. The Showcase includes 7 presentations and a short introduction from Dean B. Bruce Bare.

Climate Change:
Implications for Olympic Peninsula Forest Ecosystems Forum

February 23, 2007

Held at the Olympic Natural Resources Center in Forks, Washington; this forum was designed to combine science with opportunities for forest managers and regulatory agencies who work on the Olympic Peninsula to discuss how they are evaluating science as it relates to proposed changes in management. The forum includes 15 presentations.

Coastal Bio-Energy Forum :
Sharing experiences and exploring the future of bio-energy in the coastal region

April 4, 2006

The objective of the conference was to assemble regional parties interested in exploring bio-energy issues for the purpose of understanding what the status of bio-energy in the region is now, achieving a common knowledge base and creating a network for future action. There are 11 presentations viewable from this forum.

School of Environmental and Forest Sciences

USDA Forest Service State & Private Forestry

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Last Updated 10/13/2022 12:33:59 PM