6. A Lesson Learned from Nature
Photosynthesis is a biological carbon fixation
process utilized by plants to obtain energy in the
form of carbohydrates
Editor's Notes
What is bioenergy?
Bioenergy is energy that comes from plant or animal material, for example:
-plant oils or sugary/starchy parts of crops
-trees, wood chippings, or straw
-waste oil such as vegetable cooking oil
-animal waste
-oils in algae
Bioenergy is one type of renewable energy, which means that if managed in a sustainable manner, the supply will not be depleted over time. What are other forms of renewable energy students can think of?
Why should bioenergy be considered as a source of energy?
The majority of the energy the developed world currently uses comes from sources known as fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas). These fuels originate from under the land or sea all across the globe. Since it took them millions of years to form, once they have been used they cannot be replaced, and therefore, their supply can run out. Fossil fuels are considered non-renewable energy sources. Biofuels are an example of renewable bioenergy that can use much of the existing infrastructure and provide a more sustainable and environmentally responsible fuel source. Two examples of biofuels currently on the market are biodiesel and ethanol.
How was bioenergy used throughout history?
Bioenergy is not a new concept. Human beings have been using different forms of bioenergy ever since…well, ever since there have been human beings! Wood has been used throughout history in either direct ways, such as heating homes and cooking food, or indirect ways, such as boiling water to make steam that could then power a locomotive. Humans moved away from bioenergy once fossil fuels were discovered.
