Biomass as a source of alternative energy is a growing option in today’s push for a sustainable energy solution, according to one UW-Platteville speaker.

Tim Baye

On Oct. 20, Tim Baye, a professor of business development at UW-Extension and bioenergy and bioeconomy specialist for Sustain Grant County, presented a lecture called “Biomass as an alternative energy fuel.” The lecture was held in 307 Engineering Hall.

Baye started conducting research on switch grass as a source of bioenergy in 1993 and has been involved in research ever since.

Baye’s presentation addressed four different aspects of Biorefining: biofuels, bioenergy, biochemicals and biomaterials.

The main topic that Baye covered was the bioenergy field.

“There is a lot of low-hanging fruit,” Baye said. “Thirty to 50 percent of stuff that goes to landfill is biowaste.”

Baye said that anaerobic digesters create a double incentive because of the power production and waste disposal that digesters provide.

Forestry is another major source of biomass for energy, Baye said.

“For electrical and thermal energy, the forestry industry is the most attractive,” Baye said. “The forestry industry has a long track record of sustainable forest management.”

He also said land with low crop production can be used for switch grass because of its low nutrient needs.

One of the problems that Baye pointed out with biomass was the energy density, or amount of British Thermal Units, in the biomass versus the Btu’s in coal.

“Most biomass when it is bone dry is in the 7200-8500 Btu per pound range. When you harvest biomass it is 66 percent moisture,” Baye said. “If you get 4,000 Btu per pound you are doing well.”

Coal can range from 6,800 Btu in the Powder River basin to 13,500 Btu from coal in southern Illinois.

About 10 people attended the hour and twenty minute lecture.