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.
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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