Biomass goes to waste

J. Coombs

Renewable Energy, 1994, vol. 5, issue 5, 733-740

Abstract: Currently the two most suitable words to describe the biomass energy industry are waste and recycling. However, there are several ways of looking at this. The first is a literal one. This reflects the current changes which are taking place in waste treatment as a consequence of new environmental initiatives. These are predicted to intensify as and when new Community Directives come into force through national legislation within the European Union (EU). The most significant will be the packaging directive, and other measures aimed at reduction of waste and increased recycling of organic materials and packaging in particular. At the same time biomass, in the true sense, both goes to waste as crops are not used and generates waste in terms of resources as uneconomic ventures are funded for political reasons. Here, the recycling is of old concepts, such as energy balances - which one hoped had been put to rest some time ago. The net result is a depleted industry, in some sectors, and one based on false hopes in others. At the same time there is also some clarity emerging in respect of end use, with most activities focussing on decentralised electricity generation and the formation of liquid transport fuels.

Date: 1994
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:renene:v:5:y:1994:i:5:p:733-740

DOI: 10.1016/0960-1481(94)90079-5

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