Nicomen Nursery is on the cutting-edge of biomass production. What is Biomass?

Biomass refers to the energy stored in carbon-based organic materials. Like fossil fuels, biomass energy comes directly from the sun, via photosynthesis. The main difference between biomass and fossil fuel is that the former can release energy in a continuous, renewable fashion. Fossil fuels gather solar energy over thousands of years and are thus difficult to sustain.

What are some Common Sources of Biomass?

There are four principal categories of biomass:

Industrial waste from industrial or manufacturing procedures
Food waste
Virgin wood from the forestry industry
Energy crops or agricultural remains. (Example: Miscanthus)

Common sources of biomass include: Switchgrass, maize, lumber, corn, soybeans, wheat, sugar cane, hemp, beet, sorghum and Miscanthus. Biomass energy is available in solid, liquid and gaseous forms, with solid forms being most common.

Using Biomass: Deconstructing the Global Greenhouse

When we consume fossil fuels, carbon dioxide escapes into the atmosphere and is trapped there in increasing concentrations. Carbon dioxide absorbs powerful infra-red radiation from the earth and keeps it circulating in the atmosphere. This increases the temperature of the Earth by about 33˚. It creates what is known as the Greenhouse Effect: a climate that traps in heat as if through the use of panes of glass in a greenhouse.

Similar to fossil fuels, biomass also releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. But this carbon is part of a sustainable carbon cycle. The carbon that was released into the environment was—a short time before—absorbed by the organic material’s growth. In this way, the carbon cycle is closed through the use of biomass; it is a renewable energy source over a finite, relatively short period of time.

Biomass energy also has other benefits. It can be sourced and shipped to a nearby end supplier, requiring less CO2 for transportation means. The harvesting of new types of biomass employs local producers and therefore contributes to the economy. Finally, the use of biomass contributes to waste management.

Miscanthus: The New Frontier

Although many sources of biomass reduce our carbon footprint, Miscanthus is one of the most promising. Miscanthus is a tall rhizomatous grass that has been tested in Europe as a new source of biomass. Many crops are difficult to grow and sustain, with high nitrogen and water requirements. Miscanthus, a relatively new biomass option, stores nutrients in its root; it requires little maintenance and has a high yield with a low-moisture content.

Nicomen Nursery is on the cutting-edge of biomass production. We encourage the use of "coal-fired plants" for energy. We currently sell bare root plants to growers interested in harvesting a new fuel source. We ship Miscanthus throughout British Columbia, Western Canada and beyond. Learn more about Nicomen Nursery's biomass crops, click here: [Miscanthus Bioenergy Crops]

[Contact us for more information about Miscanthus biomass energy today]