Biomass is plant material. Yard trimmings, wheat straw, and used vegetable oils are all example of biomass. To many of us, this is considered waste. From this waste can come many benefits such as economical and environmental.

Plant material captures solar energy through the process of photosynthesis. This energy can then be converted to electricity. The idea of using biomass as energy has been used in the past. One example is to burn wood to create steam that would power turbine that created electricity. Another example is extracting oils from plants. Oils from soybeans can be extracted and used as a diesel fuel.

There are benefits to using biomass as an alternative fuel source to fossil fuel. The emissions from biomass are more environmentally friendly when compared to fossil fuel emissions. Biomass is a renewable resource. Agricultural waste can be disposed of with the benefits of receiving energy from it. Biomass is renewable to some extent. Time is one factor that can be a problem. To have a constant source of energy, the management of the use and production of the biomass must be efficient to meet the supply and demands of the economy. Another problem that biomass faces is that the combustion of biomass produces CO_2, which may increase the greenhouse effect.

The Agricultural industry would have an increase in productivity, which would mean more jobs and an increase in profits. One problem facing this industry would be to produce large amounts of products and at a low cost. The technology still needs to be researched and developed. Continuing research is the way to find the best alternative fuel source.