A review of biomass energy-shortcomings and concerns

Biomass has been, historically, the main source of global energy, primarily for cooking, heating, and small cottage industries. It is witnessing a strong revival and is currently used in a multitude of applications. It provides between 10 and 14% of world energy, with the potential to provide 30-40+% and is an integral component of all energy scenarios. Biomass energy is providing multiple energy, environmental, and socio-economic benefits, both modern and traditional, ranging from electricity, heat, to transportation fuels. This review provides a critical assessment of biomass energy literature. It is not an analysis of biomass energy production and conversion methods. The main themes covered are: (i) biomass energy potential and its uses; (ii) liquid biofuels for transportation; (iii) land use changes implications; (iv) the food versus fuel debate; (v) environmental and sustainability, subsidies and energy balance issues; and (vi) international biomass energy trade. An additional key concern of this review has been to identify the main shortcomings and concerns affecting biomass energy of themes stated above, e.g. problems posed by poor scientific data, land use change, food versus biofuel debate; environmental and sustainability implications, or potential impacts of international biomass energy trade. Given the broad nature of biomass energy, and the need to embraces all major issues, this review paper is in many ways an overview. (c) 2016 Society of Chemical Industry