Biogas is a renewable energy source and it can be produced from raw materials such as human, animal and plant waste. In order to harness biogas effectively, it is important to use advance technology to improve the efficiency of using biogas. Two American utilities have found the purification technology that turn organic waste and gas from sewage plants into natural-gas which can serve the local people. (Rosenthal, E. 2010) On the one hand, using advanced purification technology can produce more efficient biogas so that it provides an alternative of fossil fuels that help the utilities meet the local people’s energy need. On the other hand, the advanced technology that transforms the waste into biogas, it is effective in recycling waste and weakening the impact of waste on the environment. However, the technology of transform the waste into biogas still needs to be questioned. Because the high cost of the technology may result in the implement becomes more difficult. Also, it is unclear whether the purification technology is mature enough to produce efficient biogas.
Another approach to harness biogas is to get government’s support on establishing an effective mechanism that encourages people use biogas as a fuel for cars. For example, the city planners in Kristianstad, a city in Sweden, want to use biogas as a fuel for transportation system and they hope to build a city produce no emissions at all in the future. (Rosenthal, E.2010). In order to promote biogas instead of gasoline, it means government needs to take some measures that give more support on using biogas. One of the measures is that government needs to give a part of the tax exemption for the drivers who buy a biogas or dual-fuel car. In addition, more attention should be given to increasing production of the biogas effectively and government needs to give financial support for building specialized biogas factories. However, municipal vehicles and private cars run on local biogas still face some problems. Although biogas fuel costs about 20 percent less than gasoline, consumers are reluctant to spend much money on a new biogas or dual-fuel car because the expenditure for a new car could not offset the savings on conventional fuel. (Rosenthal, E. 2010) Furthermore, it is uncertain whether the biogas or dual-fuel private cars are as feasible and stable as the conventional ones. In conclusion, according to the above measures in the essay, harnessing biogas energy effectively is to need use advanced technology and get support from government. Advance technology provides basic support for the development of biogas. Government plays an important role in the harnessing biogas, it needs to establish an effective mechanism that encourages people use biogas as a fuel for cars and build specialized biogas factories to increase production of the biogas effectively. It is necessary to take action to harness alternative sources of energy now.
Bibliography:
Rosenthal,E. (2010). Using waste, Swedish city cuts its fossil fuel use. The New York Times, December 11. Retrieved May9, 2011, from www.nytimes.com/2010/12/11/science/earth/11fossil.html
Bibliography: Rosenthal,E. (2010). Using waste, Swedish city cuts its fossil fuel use. The New York Times, December 11. Retrieved May9, 2011, from www.nytimes.com/2010/12/11/science/earth/11fossil.html
You May Also Find These Documents Helpful
-
Throughout the past few decades sources of renewable energy have been widely discussed due to the harmful impacts fossil fuels have on the environment combined with fluctuating petroleum prices and our growing demand for an ever depleting resource (Fletcher et al. 2011). Over the coming decades it is predicted that there will be an increase in the use of bioenergy systems (McBride et al. 2011). Bioenergy is commonly believed by both policy makers and environmentalists to be one of the…
- 710 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
| 1. Phys.org - methane gas. (n.d.). Phys.org - Science News, Technology, Physics, Nanotechnology, Space Science, Earth Science, Medicine. Retrieved from http://phys.org/tags/methane+gas/2. Renewable Energy Generation | Synagro.com. (n.d.). Waste Recycling, Biosolids Treatment & Renewable Energy | Synagro.…
- 527 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
In recent decades, there has been an increased need to produce sufficient renewable energy to support global population growth. In response, it has become crucial to find socially responsible sustainable energy resources that offer energy security, reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and do not compromise biodiversity or sustainability of existing resources. Despite efforts to reduce the amount of waste produced, a continually growing population limits the space available in landfills. Municipal and industrial waste biomass is often rich in organic matter, allowing for the creation and use of biofuels as an energy source. This organic matter can be used to synthesize ethanol, methanol, and biodiesel through the conversion of inorganic compounds into energy-producing organic carbon compounds. Moreover, unlike fossil fuels, which take millions of years to form, these organic carbon compounds are formed relatively quickly. Biofuel production from waste is beneficial as it allows for better management of landfill sites, and energy production from materials which typically cannot be recycled or composted. Most importantly, it allows for the reduction of significant amounts of methane produced from landfill gas emissions.…
- 2489 Words
- 10 Pages
Good Essays -
Biogas or bio-methane can be used as an alternative source of energy produced through oxygen free (anaerobic) digestion of organic matter in which organic material is processed into a liquid effluent and combustible biogas rich in methane. Generally, biogas contains 55% – 80% methane and 20% - 45% carbon dioxide (CO2). Reliant on the source of organic material and the managing of a anaerobic digestion system, small amount of other gases such as hydrogen sulfide (H2S), ammonia (NH3), and water vapor (H2O) may be created. Specifically, the methane component of the biogas will be fit for producing energy. (1) The methane can be utilized to produce heat, electricity, or both. For example, the methane can be used in in a gas engine to produce electricity, heat the digester, or burned in a conventional gas boiler to produce heat for a nearby apartment complex. (3)…
- 1411 Words
- 5 Pages
Powerful Essays -
In order to compare biodiesel to other fuels, its properties were compared to that of other fuels to obtain relevant information regarding the impact of a fuel on the environment, the efficiency of a certain fuel when burned, and the amount of energy produced by the combustion reactions of the fuels. While many different biofuels are capable of being used to power vehicles, factories, and other necessary processes, their sources are being depleted while the…
- 1821 Words
- 8 Pages
Powerful Essays -
Natural gas is also one of the main components of conventional energy; however it too, is not so good for the environment but more importantly the world’s natural gas reserves are extremely limited. Like coal it also produces large amounts of carbon dioxide while also…
- 944 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
Energy demand is increasing day by day owing to our dependency upon fossil fuels, which is a limited energy source and also poses negative effect on environment due to CO2 removal. Concerns about increased global energy demand, finite natural resources and environmental issues, are thus intensifying the search for sustainable, clean, renewable and eco-friendly alternatives to fossil fuels (Venkata mohan et al., 2008). Renewable energy can be defined as energy that comes from constantly replenished resources such as sunlight, rain, wind, hydropower and fuel cells. Renewable bioenergy is considered one of the new ways to resolve the current global warming problem. Renewable energy generation and waste disposal are two key challenges…
- 303 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
Biofuels, although thought to be renewable and greenhouse efficient are actually not green to produce. Currently all around the world including Australia thousands of hectares of forests and farmland are being destroyed to produce feedstock capable of being turned into biofuels. In parts of Brazil endangered rainforests and animals are being destroyed to plant corn or sugar cane. It is thought that with the increasing need and want of more fossil fuel products, biofuels and solar energy will pave the way to a greener future. Crops such as corn, wheat and sugar cane will simply be burnt and the alcohol produced will power vehicles and machines. Whereas the use of solar panels for household electricity and also in some cases to power vehicles is thought to be a more “green-friendly” method of energy.…
- 1040 Words
- 5 Pages
Good Essays -
There are mainly three advantages once the city implements the biofuel as one of the energy sources. Firstly, the implementation of biofuels can help the public to fight against the ever rising oil prices and reduce the dependency on petrol. As the conventional energy sources such as fossil fuels, coal and natural gas will be used up in the near future, the prices of gasoline keep rising for the recent years such that it has become an extra burden for the public to stand for such high oil prices. With the introduction of biofuel in Hong Kong, the public can choose biofuels as alternatives to petrol and diesel with lower prices. Since biofuels can be produced from agricultural wastes, food wastes, and dried manure which are cheap and readily supplied, as a result, the prices of biofuels become more competitive to petrol and, with more choices, the public can reduce their reliance on petrol and diesel.…
- 488 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
Vehicles that run on biodiesel get thirty percent better fuel economy than gasoline-powered vehicles (Perritano). The many forms of biofuels make it easier to obtain and use. Biofuels are better for the environment because they reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For example, ethanol reduces greenhouse gas emissions up to sixty-five percent (Perritano). Biofuels are a source of energy from plants that can help fuel our vehicles and our lives.…
- 1122 Words
- 5 Pages
Better Essays -
As the world demands new measures for our needs, the way that these are found has changed. The term "Biomimicry" has become more familiar in the sector of science and innovation during the last few years, referring to the discipline of looking at nature as an inspirational source to emulate its mechanisms, functions or processes in order to solve human problems. The idea of this approach is to use nature as a mentor, because it has 3.8 Billion years of experience learning and solving problems to live in harmony (Benyus Janine 1998). In this way, Biomimicry can play an important role as a tool for innovation in the search for solutions in nowadays issues such as Energy sources. It is one of the biggest concerns all over the world for the need to generate cleaner, more competitive, sustainable, reliable and secure energy sources (European Commission 2008). This piece of writing will describe how Biomimicry is used as a tool for innovation, how it has been applied to improved current energy technologies, how it can be applied in new renewable energy technologies and It will discuss some advantages and disadvantages of Biomimicry’s approach.…
- 1437 Words
- 6 Pages
Good Essays -
Energy is the foundation of industrialized world; without energy, life as we know it would cease to exist. The yearly energy and fuel consumption rates have risen dramatically within the last years. This phenomenon is a direct result of globalization pressures, the international information network we call the Internet, and a population that seems to be hitting the dangerous upswing of the Malthusian curve. Although there is not yet a current shortage of conventional fuels, such as reserves of coal, oil and other fossil fuels are limited and non-renewable. In addition, the common practice of burning oil, coal, and other assorted hydrocarbons has resulted in hazardous environmental conditions such as global warming, acid rain and dangerously high air pollution levels. This and other environmental disasters have brought about a demand for alternative fuel and energy sources that are convenient, environmentally friendly, and economically viable. The U.S. Department of Energy defines alternative fuel as fuel that is essentially non-petroleum and yields energy security and environmental benefits. Following are some of the fuels the Department of Energy currently recognizes as alternative fuels methanol, hydrogen, liquid and compressed natural gas, and electric fuel. Alternative sources of energy are classified as energy provided from sources other than fossil fuels. This includes but is not limited to nuclear power, solar power, hydropower and biomass. Currently, many of these alternate sources are in use, but unfortunately they are underused or underdeveloped because of perceived shortcomings or drawbacks. While some of these fuel and energy sources may indeed lack the efficiency or cost effectiveness of the conventional fuel and energy, having a clean living planet far outweighs the cost of clean energy.…
- 3087 Words
- 13 Pages
Powerful Essays -
such as cattle dung, kitchen waste, agricultural waste etc for generation of biogas through the…
- 648 Words
- 5 Pages
Powerful Essays -
Objective: Waste is a material that no longer serves a purpose and so is thrown away. In some cases what one person discards may be re-used by somebody else. All wastes is particularly hazardous. If not carefully disposed of, it will have an impact on the environment, whether it be unsightly litter in urban streets or contaminated air, soil or water. But what is equally important about waste is that it is recyclable. For example, if all human, animal and organic wastes are recycled, we can save energy and fossil fuels and can keep the river, sea and ocean free from dumping wastes. Therefore, time has come when we have to look at the waste not merely as an environment polluter but a recyclable material of great potential and energy saver. Benefits: In cities, a majority of the people use LPG or kerosene for cooking. The immediate benefit from owning a compact biogas system is the savings in cost as compared to the use of kerosene or LPG for cooking. The up-front cost of a biogas system is higher than for LPG, since an LPG bottle plus a two burner stove costs only INR 5,000 (approx. USD 100) whereas the compact biogas plan plus a biogas stove costs about INR 10,000 (approx. USD 200). However, the operational cost for biogas is only about INR 2 per day if waste flour is used as feedstock, and can be zero if the plant uses only food wastes. This is much cheaper than LPG, which costs about INR 30 per day, even with the current subsidy of 50%. Biogas can easily replace 50% of the LPG used by a family. Methane burns with a blue flame, without producing any smoke or soot. It is therefore an environmentally friendly cooking system. Further reductions in pollution and energy use arise from not having to transport LPG cylinders to…
- 447 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
We are all aware of the current state of our environment. Mother Earth is on the brink of total destruction brought about by pollution, irresponsible use of resources, and the excessive use of conventional fuel such as fossil fuel and nuclear energy. Part of the efforts to save our planet is to shift from using conventional fuels to alternative ones such as wind energy, solar, tidal, wave, oceal, thermal, dendrothermal, biogas and biodiesel, alcohol and gasohol, and agro/industrial wastes.…
- 373 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays