**6.2. Barriers**

Main barriers to wide spread uses of biomass in the country for modern power generation are:

**•** Cost

Industrial waste such as bagasse (Figure 13) from sugar plants find application in co-genera‐ tion process, which generates electricity that is used by the same plant. The excess is sup‐

Biomass is renewable, potentially sustainable and relatively environmentally benign source of energy. It is free from carbon dioxide. Thus, the substitution of fossil fuels for energy gen‐ eration using biomass will result into a net reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the

Biomass fuels have negligible sulphur content and, hence, do not contribute to sulphur diox‐ ide emissions, which cause acid rain. The combustion of biomass produces less ash than coal

Biomass is a domestic resource, which is not subject to world price fluctuations or supply uncertainties. If well developed in the country, the use of biofuels, such as ethanol and bio‐

Biomass energy generation systems raise some environmental issues that must be ad‐ dressed. Issues such as air pollution, impact on forests, and impact due to crop cultivation must be addressed case by case. Produced and consumed in a sustainable fashion, and there is no net contribution of carbon dioxide to global warming when fossil fuels are burnt, car‐ bon dioxide is released that has been stored underground for millions of years, making a net contribution to atmospheric greenhouse gases. Hence, if managed carefully, biomass energy

combustion, and the ash produced can be used as a soil additive on farm target.

diesel, reduces the economic pressures of importing petroleum products.

plied to the nation grid

258 New Developments in Renewable Energy

**Figure 13.** A heap of bagasse at Sugar Factory

**6. Benefit of biomass utilization**

replacement of a non-renewable energy source.

**6.1. Environmental impact of biomass energy**


#### **6.3. Risks**

Risks associated with widespread use of biomass are:

