International Journal of Advancements in Research & Technology, Volume 2, Issue 6, June-2013 271
ISSN 2278-7763
Copyright © 2013 SciResPub. IJOART
Biomass - Resource for Sustainable Development
Bhawana Pathak, Shalini Chaudhari and M. H. Fulekar
School of Environment and Sustainable Development
Central University of Gujarat
Sector 30, Gandhinagar 382030
Email: mhfulekar@yahoo.com
Abstract:
Renewable energy generation from the Biomass is and will become a primary source substituting
energy generation from fossil fuel. Biomass available in abundance can be used for energy
generation using different technology. In the present paper biomass energy sources including
biofuel generation in the first generation, second generation and third generation have been
highlighted. Biodiesel productions from algal species employing latest technology are also
discussed. Few case studies have been cited in the paper. Different technology can be developed
to generate a renewable energy using Biomass.
Introduction
The increasing industrialization and motorization of the world has led to a steep rise for the
demand of petroleum-based fuels [1, 2]. Today fossil fuels take up 80% of the primary energy
consumed in the world, of which 58% alone is consumed by the transport sector [3].Progressive
depletion of conventional fossil fuels with increasing energy consumption and GHG emissions
have led to a move towards alternative, renewable, sustainable, efficient and cost-effective
energy sources with lesser emissions [4,5,8,9]. India, with its vast population and limited natural
resources for meeting its energy requirements, needs to maintain its momentum of growth and
this can be made possible only with a clear strategy for use of best possible energy options
available. India needs to have a long term strategy for meeting its energy needs by 2050 and a
short term goal of 2020 which can be small steps towards attaining energy security by 2050. The
broad vision behind energy policy must be to meet energy demands reliably with energy which
is clean and affordable and this must be done in an environmentally sustainable manner using
different fuels and forms of energy, as well as new and emerging sources to ensure supplies at all
times[10].Renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydro, geothermal and energy from
biomass and waste have been successfully developed [Table-1]and used by different nations to
limit the use of fossil fuels.[11] Renewable energy is a promising alternative solution because it
is clean and environmentally safe. They also produce lower or negligible levels of greenhouse
gases and other pollutants when compared with the fossil energy sources they replace [12, 13].
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