Biomass

What is Biomass?

Biomass is a renewable energy resource that takes natural resources from our earth and repurposes them into renewable, clean energy. It comes from plants and dead animals that we convert into energy. It is still a very prominent renewable energy source in Michigan today.

Pros

Cons

Biomass repurposes waste materials into energy such as deadwood, low-grade lumber, etc [5]. Biomass accounted for 15% of Michigans renewable output in 2023 [10.] Biomass offset 950 jobs in Michigan with 750 being indirect jobs and 150 being direct jobs [5]. Promotes sustainable waste management by offsetting Carbon Fossil Fuel Emissions [5]. Mainly uses natural resources to produce its energy, and Michigan has a lot of them in the Upper Peninsula that could potentially be of use if the proper procedures get used to implement them.

Biomass production can compete with food crops for the land. Processing and transportation can generate emissions thus increasing some of Michigan's carbon footprint. It isn't easy to implement new plants and requires a lot of start-up costs which is why there are very few Biomass plants in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

Energy Production

In 2023 Biomass accounted for 15% of Michigan's Renewable Energy output [10]. In 2019 the total power generated for Biomass facilities was 781,240 MWh [5]. Michigan has 35 biomass powerplants that produce a combined power generation of 490 megawatts of power [10]. The biomass plants in Michigan that rely on wood or wood waste are primarily situated in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Also Michigan uses anaerobic digesters to convert animal and food waste to biogas (methane) that they then convert to electricity.

Social Concerns

In Michigan, Biomass usage is still at an all-time high, but at what cost to society? Michigan is in a good position to keep implementing Biomass practices because we have so many resources to go off of. We are a hotspot rich in agriculture and forestry waste, making biomass an accessible and potentially sustainable energy source. By utilizing these resources locally, biomass energy can offer rural communities and farms a way to generate clean energy without relying on external sources. For economically disadvantaged or rural populations, it provides an opportunity to reduce energy costs, improve energy security, and increase self-sufficiency. When it comes to dealing with the future health and environment Biomass is an excellent way to lower our carbon footprint allowing us to reduce our reliance on coal. Which would allow us to have cleaner air and better health conditions in areas where we have coal power plants. Since Michigan is targeting a renewable energy goal of 60% in 2035 and 100% by 2040 [11], this shift will align with keeping the future environment safe and free from too many emissions. As a side note, increasing education by teaching more people about biomass energy conversion and the inclusion of green energy technology fields will give individuals from rural communities the ability to learn more about their local energy and where it comes from. However, what kind of inequality can arise from this? In Michigan, many rural communities face energy poverty, with limited access to affordable, clean energy sources. Biomass energy could help provide a local, sustainable solution, but these benefits may be unevenly distributed unless specific policies are put in place to ensure equitable access. Urban areas like Detroit might also face challenges in adopting biomass due to infrastructure and funding limitations. One other large piece to include more positive energy practices stems from who makes the decisions in the first place. Much of Michigan’s energy policy has been driven by corporate interests, particularly from the fossil fuel and utility sectors. Members of marginalized communities, such as low-income populations in rural areas, may not have a strong voice in energy policy decisions. Clean and renewable energy should be available to all regardless of income level, but in today's society, many policies are driven by communities with more wealth. Which has led to uneven distribution of clean and renewable energy in the first place.

Is Biomass Viable?

Yes, Biomass energy is a promising renewable option, but its implementation must be carefully managed. The competition for land use, emissions from processing, and setup costs are significant hurdles. However, when sourced and utilized sustainably, biomass can serve as an important part of a carbon-neutral energy strategy. The state of Michigan has a lot of available land to continue its use of Biomass energy and using it would allow us to increase our use of positive renewable energy practices. Policies promoting sustainable land use, subsidies for biomass energy systems, and public awareness campaigns can drive its adoption. While not a universal solution, Biomass can complement other renewable energy sources in a diversified energy portfolio. Biomass pulls from our natural resources and Michigan is fortunate to have a lot of them. If we continue to follow our current plan's trajectory and increase our renewable energy output to 100% by 2040 with the inclusion of Biomass. We will make our world better in the future because of it. Hurdles along the way will come such as who makes the policy and the cost of implementing new ideas, but ultimately the direction Michigan has gone will be an improvement from what we have and that is all we can ask for.