The Brilliance of Bioenergy

The time for modern biomass has come. It has long been overshadowed by other, more widely-publicized renewable energy technologies such as wind, solar and hydro, and still retains an outmoded image in comparison to its apparently more attractive cousins.

The potential for biomass to act as a store of solar energy, and yet to be converted efficiently when required into heat, power, transport fuels and even substitutes for plastics and petrochemicals, is not widely appreciated. The increasing abundance of well-designed, successful bioenergy projects around the world is creating new interest in this renewable, sustainable and low-emission-producing source of energy.

The Brilliance of Bioenergy covers all the main resources and technologies, principles, practice, social and environmental issues as well as the economics involved. The book also presents valuable, practical experiences - both 'how to' and 'how not to' - in the form of case studies of both small and large scale projects in both developed and developing countries.

The Brilliance of Bioenergy is for those wishing to learn more about biomass, the technologies and the business potential. It will be welcomed by all involved in biomass production, bioenergy utilization, planning and development, and in renewable energies in general, as well as students, academics and researchers in the subject.

Ralph Sims has had over 25 years of biomass project development and research experience, growing energy crops, testing transport biofuels, operating gasifiers, industry consulting, providing government policy advice, and supervising many post-graduate students. He was a Lead Author for the IPCC Third Assessment Report covering energy supply, renewable energy and agriculture and is director of the Center for Energy Research, Massey University, New Zealand.