With approximately 80 million acres of corn planted annually, corn stover is expected to become a major biomass resource for bioenergy applications. Forestry Residues Forestry residues include biomass not harvested or removed from logging sites in commercial hardwood and softwood stands as well as material resulting from forest management operations such as pre-commercial thinnings and removal of dead and dying trees. Municipal Waste Residential, commercial, and institutional post-consumer wastes contain a significant proportion of plant derived organic material that constitute a renewable energy resource. Waste paper, cardboard, wood waste and yard wastes are examples of biomass resources in municipal wastes. All processing of biomass yields byproducts and waste streams collectively called residues, which have significant energy potential.
Residues are simple to use because they have already been collected.
Animal Wastes Farms and animal processing operations create animal wastes that constitute a complex source of organic materials with environmental consequences. These wastes can be used to make many products, including energy. Issues Biomass Production Improvements Improvements in agricultural practices will lead to increased biomass yields, reductions in cultivation costs, and improved environmental quality. Biomass Material Handling Materials handling systems for biomass constitute a significant portion of the capital investment and operating costs of a bioenergy conversion facility. Requirements depend on the type of biomass to be processed as well as the feedstock preparation requirements of the conversion technology.