ENG-3.I—Describe the effects of the use of biomass in power generation on the environment

Describe the effects of the use of biomass in power generation on the environment.

• Burning of biomass produces heat for energy at a relatively low cost, but it also produces carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, particulates, and volatile organic compounds. The overharvesting of trees for fuel also causes deforestation.
• Ethanol can be used as a substitute for gasoline. Burning ethanol does not introduce additional carbon into the atmosphere via combustion, but the energy return on energy investment for ethanol is low.
• Enduring understanding ENG-3: Humans use energy from a variety of sources, resulting in positive and negative consequences.