burning Power Plants Could Be Dirtier Than Coal. Why Not Use Fuel Cells?
A new state-commissioned study in Massachusetts found that some biomass, i.e. wood- and plant-burning, power plants could produce more carbon emissions than coal plants over the next several decades. This runs contrary to Massachusetts’ current classification of biomass as a clean renewable energy source. Ideally, burning wood is nearly carbon neutral because the carbon released is balanced by carbon absorbed from the air over the course of a tree’s life. However, this report states that biomass power can have a significant upfront release of carbon and a net carbon footprint bigger than coal in some scenarios. Burning wood or organic matter simultaneously releases heat, carbon dioxide, soot, and other particulate matter. The emissions must be filtered and cleaned with electrostatic precipitators, cyclones, and other traditional devices. Power is generated from the heat with an efficiency of 25-30%, on par with most large combustion power plants. Fuel cells can harness biomass energy i
