Electricity from Biomass: An Environmental Review and Strategy, National Renewable Energy Laboratory

ANTARES assessed the environmental issues surrounding biomass power, and provided an R&D strategy responding to these issues. Biomass technology was examined from the perspective of the full fuel cycle, i.e., fuel acquisition, transportation, handling, use and residue management. To determine the environmental implications of the cycle, ANTARES staff had to analyze the biomass resource at each step. Issues ranged from the many consequences of intensively cultured energy crops to the chemicals/materials generated by the energy production process. Recommendations of the R&D plan included resolution of crop production issues such as the effects of agricultural chemicals, toxic uptake of feedstocks, and impacts on habitat.