The accumulation of carbon within a forest growth cycle can be considered in four stages. The initial establishment stage involves low global carbon cycle accumulation and may even experience net carbon loss (particularly from soil) as a result of site preparation and low biomass and bioenergy inputs. A rapid uptake of carbon is then experienced during the second phase, known as the full vigor stage, which subsequently levels off as the stand reaches the mature stage. Finally, the forest reaches old growth and the carbon is in steady state with accumulation associated with new growth balanced by mortality and disturbances. (more…)

I just read a very good news via Reuters. And is that the EU has decided to distance themselves from biofuels usage.

As we here at The Green Blog and often Erenovable, biofuels were a good idea that went astray. They are indeed a renewable energy, “but at the expense of what? Of deforestation, increased food prices, and possible food shortages in the future. Not to mention how undeveloped countries such as Brazil and Argentina are ruining their economies and ecologies because of the monopolization of crops for biofuels. (more…)

In Bonn met world leaders at the UN Conference on Biodiversity. As we here at The Green Blog world’s biodiversity is seriously threatened due to human action, and that is why the Alliance for the Convention on Biological Diversity called for a total ban on crops for production of biofuels. (more…)

The future development of energy crops, to the level at which they would replace residues as the major bioenergy fuel source, will be largely dependent on regional factors such as climate change and local energy requirements and emission factors, which will determine their environmental and financial viability. (more…)

Estimation of the future technical potential of biomass as an energy source is dependent on assumptions with respect to land availability and productivity as well as conversion technologies. With the emergence of energy crops as the major source of biomass fuel, land use conflicts, especially in relation to food production, may arise. However, with efficient agricultural practices, plantations and crops could supply a large proportion of energy needs, with residues playing a smaller role without compromising food production or further intensifying agricultural practices. (more…)

The most widespread and practical process for capture solar radiation as organic fuels is the growth of virgin biomass. Extremely large quantities of carbon are fixed each year in the form of terrestrial and aquatic biomass. (more…)

Over the last decade, the number of countries researching the potential of biomass and bioenergy for energy services rose rapidly. This contributed to the biomass as solid and liquid fuels, an interesting and promising option among renewable energy sources available. This includes solid waste and biomass, which comprises of charcoal, firewood, energy crops and forestry and agricultural residues to produce heat and electricity, (more…)

One of the main benefits from future use of biofuels would be the reduction of greenhouse gases compared to the use of fossil fuels. Carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming, is released into the air from combustion. Twenty-four percent of worldwide energy-related carbon emissions in 1997 were from the United States. Carbon and due to rising energy consumption, are expected to increase 1.3 percent per year through 2015. (more…)

Advances in biomass feedstock production are extremely important. These advances have the potential for reducing the final cost of biofuels, power, and products. In addition, advances will allow the production of plants, trees, and residues with characteristics increasingly well suited for feedstocks. For example, genetically engineered plants feedstocks may allow higher yields of usable biomass per acre for fuel and other uses. New methods in erosion control, fertilization, and pre-processing can result in (more…)

http://newenergyalternative.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/benefit-drawback-biodiesel.jpg” title=”How to Make Biodiesel” alt=”How to Make Biodiesel” class=”index-image” width=”120″ />
Biodiesel is diesel fuel made from renewable sources of carbon such as used vegetable oil or animal fats used in cooking. In diesel engines it can be used as a direct substitute for petrodiesel fuel made from petroleum.

Biodiesel is clear amber liquid. Its consistency is similar to that of petrodiesel. Biodiesel fuel can be used on its own in a diesel engine or mixed with petrodiesel. Some people mix small amounts of biodiesel into gasoline (gasoline additive) to decrease its air-pollution qualities. (more…)