The Role of Biomass in Rural Development and Energy Independence

Are you aware that biomass is abundantly available, but where is it most prevalent? The answer lies in rural areas, thanks to vast farmlands, extensive agricultural lands, and diverse crop varieties. These resources are essentially found in rural regions. However, most of these resources (biomass sources) are considered as ‘waste’ and therefore burnt or disposed of poorly in landfills. On the contrary, biomass is a valuable raw material for producing biofuels and biomass energy, and if used appropriately, it can bring energy independence to rural areas.

By understanding the advantages of biomass, rural communities can step up their development by achieving energy self-sufficiency.

In this blog, we will discover the role of biomass in rural development and energy independence.

Biomass and Rural Development

Biomass energy is a key renewable source of energy generated from organic materials. These materials are easily accessible, especially in rural regions where the cultivation of crops and forests generates huge waste.

Let’s understand the meaning of biomass energy and its role in rural areas development.

What is Biomass Energy?

Biomass can be transformed into biomass energy by burning and fermentation without oxygen. Using heat in the presence of gas (gasification) is also a technique for producing biomass energy. These transformation processes generate heat, light, and bioenergy which can be utilized in families, industries, and farming.

Compared with fossil fuels, biomass is a renewable energy source, and using biomass will contribute to the reduction of the use of fossil fuels. As per the research of IEA, Bioenergy constitutes the majority of 55% of renewable energy and 6% of total global energy. It is most beneficial to rural areas as it allows them to reach a level of energy independence, as well as introducing environmentally friendly processes and shifting towards a green future.

However, biomass energy should be integrated with new systems, advanced biomass solution machinery, and current trends (like using renewable and environment-friendly technologies) Because it can produce even greater amounts of energy around the world.

Why Rural Areas Need Bioenergy?

The need for biomass energy emerges in rural areas as access to modern energy sources is often less. Also, third-world countries are still not energy-surplus countries. Bioenergy can eliminate this deficiency by fulfilling the energy needs of a region, especially where other forms of energy are rare. Biomass energy companies like Ecostan are committed to providing biomass solutions for bringing transformation in rural areas and promoting sustainable development.

Biomass has the potential to become an important major energy source in the global energy system in the future. 

In rural areas, crop residues are considered agricultural waste. To get rid of the waste, farmers generally perform stubble burning. These residues and plant debris are essential biomass resources that help in creating biofuels and biomass energy. If treated with biomass solutions like pelletizing, briquetting, etc. the waste can be converted into biofuel.

Do you know that Biomass pellet manufacturing plants receive financial support from NABARD to transform agricultural residues into energy pellets for power plants? The cost to set up a Briquette/ Pellet Manufacturing plant stands at Rs. 9 Lakh per MTPH (metric ton/hour) based on the manufacturing capacity. Biomass (Non-bagasse) cogeneration projects cost Rs. 40 Lakhs/MW based on the Installed Capacity.

By effectively using biomass as an energy source, rural areas can be developed and become energy-independent.

How Biomass Energy Develops Rural Areas?

#1 Biomass Energy Offers Employment Opportunities and Economic Growth in Rural Areas

Employment opportunities in rural areas are highly needed because unemployment is quite common in these areas. Biomass plants need many workers for various purposes like collecting materials, transporting them, and processing raw materials.

Also, biomass is a source of direct revenue. For instance, briquetting machines let farmers make compact briquettes out of all the residues of agricultural produce. A recent study conducted by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), stated that in 2022, 2.5 million Jobs have been created by biofuels, all of which were mostly in the agricultural supply chain. This demonstrates how biomass energy plays a key role in cutting poverty levels among the people residing in rural areas.

Furthermore, one of the most important benefits of biomass energy for rural areas is that it brings growth to local economies. It minimizes the expenses on imported energy sources. Manufacturers such as brick factories, food processing industries, and rural industries gain benefits by using biomass energy.

The biomass pellet machines allow rural people to produce different quality pellets (to be used in homes as well as industries). These pellets are much cleaner alternatives as compared to coal and other fossil fuels. Therefore, biomass is essential in driving economic development by providing new business opportunities for the economy, especially in rural areas.

#2 Through Biomass, Rural Areas Get Energy Access

The availability of quality energy is an essential factor in improving the living standard of people in rural areas. Usually, rural areas experience blackouts or lack of electric power. Biomass energy is economical if compared with conventional sources of energy. Hence, the need for biomass solutions arises.

For instance, Hammer Mill is an effective biomass solution that granulates the raw biomass into smaller piece which is further turned into pellets or briquettes. Rural houses and small business units use these for heat generation and as a source of energy.

Production of energy from biomass makes the communities depend less on expensive grid power and diesel generators. This helps in saving energy costs and also enhances energy supply security. Furthermore, decentralized biomass systems have also been useful in providing electricity to village households and therefore boosting the development of such villages.

#3 Biomass Helps in Sustainable Waste Management

Management of agricultural and forestry waste is always a big problem in rural and sub-rural regions. One example is the open burning of residues of crops (stubble burning), which causes a lot of emissions to the atmosphere and greenhouse gases.

Energy obtained from biomass helps in ensuring that these waste byproducts are utilized effectively in an environmentally friendly manner.

Biomass solutions help in converting wood and agricultural residues into biomass chips which can be used for the generation of energy. This eventually reduces pollution and ensures that rural populations can effectively deal with waste. This can clean the environment; in addition, help rural people to earn from materials, which otherwise are going to be disposed of.

The Role of Biomass in Energy Independence

Biomass is a valuable instrument in achieving energy security as its utilization provides society with the opportunity to not use non-renewable resources. It is particularly beneficial in the rural extent where there is limited access to energy. Here’s why:

#1 Alternative to Fossil Fuels for Stable Energy Costs

Using biomass can eliminate the use of other conventional energy sources such as coal, oil, and natural gasses. This energy is produced from locally available resources. It uses farm wastes and wood residues, thus, eliminating the use of imported fuel. This is economical, benefits the economy of rural areas, and decentralizes the supply of energy.

Even though the prices of fossil fuels vary constantly and fluctuate constantly, biomass is a more cost-effective kind of energy. Furthermore, it uses materials that are easily available within the rural areas. These materials include crop remnants as well as organic waste. Biomass energy enables the rural population to optimally manage the cost of energy.

#2 Decentralized Energy Access

Locally managed energy systems like electricity grids require a consistent electricity supply. Hence, in rural and underdeveloped regions with fluctuating power solutions, biomass is used to develop small-scale energy options such as microgrids. This enhances the standard living conditions of the people in rural areas, supports their education and health systems, and also fosters economic development for their improvement.

#3 Eco-Friendly Energy

Biomass is considered a green source of energy because it does not release extra carbon dioxide into the environment. During the burning of carbon, it is released into the atmosphere, however, the amount of carbon is absorbed from the atmosphere by plants during plant growth. The use of biomass also eliminates harmful practices such as the burning of residues on the farm in wide open fields that pollute the air.

#4 Safety During Energy Crisis

Biomass energy systems highly depend on local resources which helps rural areas to be less impacted by the scarcity of global energy as well as spikes in related costs. Receiving proper supplies of energy through biomass benefits the rural areas in handling energy crises. This also ensures a constant supply of energy regardless of the crises happening back in the world.

In this way, biomass provides energy security, and environmental benefits and enhances the rural economy.

Wrapping Up

Biomass energy is a critical renewable energy source for developing rural areas and providing energy independence. We, at Ecostan, offer high-quality pellet mills and briquetting machines, to empower communities of rural areas for converting waste into valuable products.

Looking for solutions to develop your rural area? We, at Ecostan, make high-quality biomass solution machines that cater to different requirements.