Generation of Bio-energy from waste for power production - Samples

Question: Discuss about the Generation of Bio-energy from waste for power production and sustainable heat Generation. Answer: Introduction Bio energy or biomass is a renewable energy resource that can be in generated from any industrial, agricultural or biogenic waste. From many years, biomass is being used due to which developing its application has been considered as an important undertaking. Many methods have been developed to convert waste into heat and electricity for household purpose and commercial use (Uslu, 2014). Bio-energy production process involves various steps from production of feed stocks to end conversion. Entire process has to face various challenges like usage of land, handling of chemicals physically, transportation and reduction of associated costs. Many thermo-chemical treatment technologies have been increasing in order to increase the bio-energy density and reduce risks related to transportation and final conversion (Den, 2016). This research paper will analyse an engineering research topic relating generation of bio-energy from waste and justify the research gap by identifying it. Project Scope In Australia, bio-energy from waste is still under development but has considerable potential. Waste technologies after introduction of Act Waste Management Strategy 2011-2025 has became focal point for all environmental engineering and IT development firms for generating and investigating new technologies to convert wastes into energy(CEFC, 2015). Many investors have also poured in as scope of high returns is also visible. This cost competitive energy resource will also benefit environment by reducing wastes from surroundings along with gaining sustainable heat energy and electricity. Literature Review In order to review the above topic, various research papers and article have been investigated to get detailed information about the conversion process. The findings from different papers demonstrate an overview challenge for the industry, society and policy(Chung, 2013). Addressing sustainability in production of bio energy has developed issues that require consideration as rise of oil and gas prices due to geological factors and growing population has impacted the nation severely. Although bio-energy has great potential, greenhouse gas emissions are also an important area that requires to be focussed upon (WORLD ENERGY COUNCIL, 2016). While observing the conversion process, it was found that in Australia, main reason behind introducing bio energy process was to reduce green house gas emissions and increase the usage of bio fuels and bio electricity in future (Rural Industries, 2013). Advanced technologies dealing in conversion of non food portion of biomass had extensively reduced green house emissions while securing present oil and gases and other non renewable energy. Depending on the feed stock supply, the energy from those wastes provides availability of base load electricity and counterbalancing alternative generation from other renewable energy resources (Mira, 2016). Applications replacing alternative waste disposal systems reduce environmental impacts and disposal costs by making limited use of landfills. Displacing fossil fuel generation by plants reduces air pollution from harmful gases like nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide etc. Theories and applications of sustainable assessment reviews the issues wh ile expanding industrial framework and developing potential options to implement most suitable process (OGL, 2013). According to a recent survey made it was found that nearly fifty million tons of urban waste is collected every year in Australia in which nearly half is recycled and twenty million tons of it fills up the landfills. One million ton is only diverted for energy or waste treatment which shows the potential for generating biomass in urban stream (OGL, 2013). Different waste policies legislates waste hierarchy designs that promotes recycling and resource recovery over energy from disposed materials. Although bio-energy and waste technology are considered as the most cost effective way for generating energy and reducing carbon emissions, it had not been deployed effectively throughout the world which suggests potential of investing in renewable energy development industries(Science Daily, 2010). Sustainable assessments have approaches depending upon methodologies, culture, language and situation. Two basic approaches that are utilised for sustainable approach are input based that assumes certain input for desired outcome and outcome based that monitors and compare system variables and trends that promotes sustaining objects and targets. When the situations seem risky, both the approaches do not ensure production of sustainable outcomes whereas if both systems are aligned to each other, systems become more predictable and well established. In all situations, system is required to be embedded in effective way allowing scope for improvement of the assessment in future and utilising available resources to its fullest (Reed, 2016). Although there are many advantages related to bio-energy but there are few disadvantages also which has been identified in the literature. Air quality after release of greenhouse gases by incineration along with unsustainable impact on water and soil resources are few of the disadvantages discussed(Bauen, n.d.). Agricultural reduction in landfill surrounding area along with extinction of improvement in degraded land is also a drawback of bio energy production process. Smaller plants fails to supply adequate amount of energy and transportation and other additional costs for fulfilling demands makes overall energy system more costly and complicated. Demand of water in higher volume for technology is another issue that cannot be overlooked (Den, 2016). Research Gap In above literature review made, research gap identified is that presently the methods used for heat and electricity production like solar system, district cooling system or heat pumps have not been mentioned in present methods of bio-energy conversion(Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, n.d.). Currently, we cannot understand why combining bio-energy with other renewable sources while producing energy is done. Utilising solar energy and other heat pumps have always been able to provide with the renewable energy without having any hazardous implications. Thus this literature review questions present system that why both these methods have not been applied in bio-energy system for making the process more efficient and fast (Williams, n.d.). Conclusion The amount of bio-energy conversions and its establishment to identify major sustainability problem depends on the process of using natural resources in different countries. Developing different strategies of eco industrial processes for installing bio-energy and biomass with the help of technologies are still required to be developed (Thrn, 2017). Therefore it can be said that sustainability of bio energy depends largely on the goals identified and what actions or ability to utilise science and technology is undertaken. Bio-energy is one of the most important innovations in engineering and science field in which environmental organisation is highly depended (Den, 2016). However its drawbacks on human and environment lead to a question whether bio-energy system is sustainable or other sectors requires more analysis. Regardless, biomass provides a spotlight for improvising and understanding more about sustainability before increasing desire for enhanced outcome. References Bauen, A., n.d. Bioenergy a Sustainable and Reliable Energy Source MAIN REPORT. [Online] Available at: https://indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/files/Bioenergy_a%20sustainable_and_reliable_energy_source.pdf [Accessed 07 April 2018]. CEFC, 2015. The Australian bioenergy and energy from waste market. [Online] Available at: https://www.cefc.com.au/media/107567/the-australian-bioenergy-and-energy-from-waste-market-cefc-market-report.pdf [Accessed 07 April 2018]. Chung, J.N., 2013. Grand challenges in bioenergy and biofuel research: engineering and technology development, environmental impact, and sustainability. [Online] Available at: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenrg.2013.00004/full [Accessed 07 April 2018]. Den, J., 2016. Bioenergy for Electricity Generation. [Online] Available at: https://cns.utexas.edu/images/CNS/Jen_Den-Bioenergy.pdf [Accessed 07 April 2018]. Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, n.d. Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering. [Online] Available at: https://www.a.u-tokyo.ac.jp/english/departments/D-BEE.html [Accessed 07 April 2018]. Mira, X.J.a.D., 2016. BIOGAS UTILISATION FOR SUSTAINABLE POWER GENERATION. [Online] Available at: https://hpc4e.eu/news/biogas-utilisation-sustainable-power-generation [Accessed 07 April 2018]. OGL, 2013. Generating energy from waste, including anaerobic digestion. [Online] Available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/generating-energy-from-waste-including-anaerobic-digestion [Accessed 07 April 2018]. Reed, V.S., 2016. Bioenergy: Renewable, Sustainable, Attainable. [Online] Available at: https://www.energy.gov/eere/articles/bioenergy-renewable-sustainable-attainable [Accessed 07 April 2018]. Rural Industries, 2013. Bioenergy industry in Australia. [Online] Available at: https://biomassproducer.com.au/about/about-the-industry/#.WsiTDtRubcs [Accessed 07 April 2018]. Science Daily, 2010. Engineers find significant environmental impacts with algae-based biofuel. [Online] Available at: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100121135856.htm [Accessed 07 April 2018]. Thrn, P.D.-I.D., 2017. Department of Bioenergy. [Online] Available at: https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=34237 [Accessed 07 April 2018]. Uslu, A., 2014. Bioenergy power and heat generation. [Online] Available at: https://setis.ec.europa.eu/energy-research/sites/default/files/library/ERKC_%20TRS_Bioenergy.pdf [Accessed 07 April 2018]. Williams, C., n.d. Winconsin Grasslands Bioenergy Network. [Online] Available at: https://www.wgbn.wisc.edu/producers/bioenergy-101 [Accessed 07 April 2018]. WORLD ENERGY COUNCIL, 2016. World Energy Resources Bioenergy-2016. [Online] Available at: https://www.worldenergy.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/WEResources_Bioenergy_2016.pdf [Accessed 07 April 2018].