Traditional Biomass Energy: Improving its Use and Moving to Modern Energy Use

International Conference for Renewable Energies

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Abstract: Biomass energy plays a vital role in meeting local energy demand in many regions of the developing world. Biomass is a primary source of energy for close to 2.4 billion people in developing countries (IEA, 1998). It is easily available to many of the world?s poor and provides vital and affordable energy for cooking and space heating. Biomass-based industries are a significant source of enterprise development, job creation and income generation in rural areas (Karekezi et al, 2002; Goldemberg, 2003; Reddy et al, 1997). Modern biomass energy is widely used in many developing countries as well as in parts of the industrialized world. With proper management backed by adherence to appropriate ecological practices, modern biomass can be a sustainable source of electricity as well as liquid and gaseous fuels. Biomass, therefore, is not only a vital source of energy for many today but is likely to remain an important source of energy in the future subject to its sustainable exploitation (Yamamoto et al, 2001; Hall, 1998).