Bioenergy

Bioenergy is renewable energy created from naturally occurring biological sources, such as grasses and trees. Types of bioenergy include biogas, bioethanol, and biodiesel which may be sourced from plants (corn, sugarcane), wood, agricultural wastes, and bagasse. Bioenergy is considered renewable because its source is inexhaustible, as plants obtain their energy from the sun through photosynthesis which can be replenished. Bioenergy, while still responsible for the release of carbon into the atmosphere, is considered less harmful than the burning of fossil fuels, as it utilizes and releases carbon currently in our modern cycle, whereas fossil fuels release carbon that has been stored away for long periods of time.

How it Works

Bioenergy is all derived from biomass of some sort, including woods, plants, plant byproducts, and other similar products. However, how the actual energy is produced varies significantly between uses; traditional biofuel usage may be as simple as lighting a fire in a stove, whereas the creation of biofuels is a complex process. The main forms of bioenergy are biofuels, biopower, and bioproducts.

Biofuels represent perhaps the most common form of bioenergy- it’s likely that the vehicles you use on a daily basis run on some percentage of biofuels. Biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel are refined from raw plant products, such as corn or switchgrass, and made into usable fuel. While this fuel generally cannot be used alone to power existing cars, its ability to substitute some percentage of fossil fuels in vehicles currently on the road today give it a unique perk among fossil fuels. Biofuels are therefore invaluable as we continue transitioning to carbon free energy.

Learn more on the US Department of Energy’s Office of Efficiency and Renewable Energy website.

Biopower uses biomass in similar processes to those currently used to produce energy to achieve similar results with more renewable sources. Biopower relies on burning, bacterial decomposition, and conversion to gas or liquid fuel. These processes allow biomass to be converted to a state in which it can be burned efficiently as a substitute for coal or natural gas. Like with biofuels, this process can be useful in our continuing transition to renewable energy, since it makes use of infrastructure already in place.

Learn more on the US Department of Energy’s Office of Efficiency and Renewable Energy website.

While not a direct source of energy like the other uses of bioenergy, bioproducts offer a unique service in mimicking petroleum in the use of products such as plastics, lubricants, and industrial chemicals. This use of biomass can alleviate our dependence on fossil fuels and provide economic benefits.

Learn more on the US Department of Energy’s Office of Efficiency and Renewable Energy website.

Bioenergy in New Jersey

The main bioenergy crops grown in New Jersey are corn and soybeans, which are grown in Hunterdon, Morris, Somerset, Sussex, Warren, Burlington, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Atlantic, Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem counties. Currently, however, relatively few of these crops are being used for bioenergy generation, and there are currently no existing bioenergy plants in the state. While the state does have potential for biomass to be used at some existing plants with some efforts in conversion, ultimately the role of bioenergy in the state is developing.

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