A resurgence in the use of biomass to produce energy is underway, in part as a way for countries to continue the transition away from fossil fuels for electricity production. Groups are working on ways to burn what otherwise might be waste products to provide power, particularly in areas where access to electricity has been lacking.
Researchers at Aston University in Birmingham, England, are involved in a project to use biomass from Indonesia’s unwanted rice straw to produce low-cost energy at a commercial scale. PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN), Indonesia’s government-owned power corporation, is implementing biomass co-firing technology at its power plants to replace retiring coal-fired power generation. The U.S. Congress recently passed two bills—the National Defense Appropriations Act of 2023 and the Omnibus Appropriations legislation—that recognize the benefits of biomass as a source of renewable electricity. Carrie Annand, executive director of the Biomass Power Association, said, “Utilizing organic materials like forest residues and agricultural waste to generate power undeniably supports our nation’s climate goals. Not only do biomass power plants generate renewable power, but they also provide forest health and air quality benefits by helping to reduce forest fire risk and preventing the need for open burning.”
Active Energy Group plc (LON:AEG) is a biomass based renewable energy business focussed on using its proprietary technology to transform low-cost or waste biomass material into renewable biomass fuels, thus creating next generation biomass products. AEG’S CoalSwitch® is a second generation biomass fuel that has been tested, and proven, to replace the traditional coal fired-power industry and existing renewable biomass industry without requiring plant modification.