A biomass power station works in a similar way to a coal fired power station. The waste is burned and used to heat water, the steam produced is used to turn turbines, the turbines turn genererators and generate electricity.

Any solid waste can be used including animal manure, woodchip, seaweed, rubbish and other waste.

Bioconversion is a process where plant/animal waste is used to produce biofuels such as methanol or natural gas. These biofuels can be burned to produce power.

Vehicles have been developed powered by biofuels

Sugar is used in some areas because it can be fermented to make alcohol which can be burned. Aternatively, the left over sugar cane pulp (called bagasse) can be burned. Often a biomass power station provides energy for a sugar mill as well as the surounding area. A biomass power station is planned for Portbury near Bristol which would produce 150 MW of power CLICK HERE to find out more Another biomass power station is planned for Longannet in Scotland CLICK HERE for more information

Biofuels could help us reduce our reliance on fossil fuels most particularly the oil used for transport. This is obviously a good thing. Some people claim that it will take a huge amount of land to grow the biofuels needed and this will affect our capacity to grow food. Biofuel powered vehicles produce similar carbon emmssions to petrol driven vehicles but scientists argue that the plants growing the biofuel will take in the extra carbon emisssions produced as they respire. Time will tell on this argument.

We should take the opportunity to burn waste materials when we can. It is a very cheap source of fuel and it reduces dependance on fossil fuels. It also destroys waste and reduces the need to recycle. We collect waste anyway and have trouble with disposal. Growing biofuel could be a problem. Some fuels may not always be available Biofuels are burned and produce greenhouse gases in the same way as fossil fuels