Wood biomass burned in power plants produces more CO2 than burning coal, according to a new report from Climate Central. Carbon emissions from the Drax Power Station, the largest power plant to switch from burning coal to wood in Europe, showed that 15% to 20% more CO2 was released when burning wood instead of coal. While wood biomass is considered a renewable energy source, as trees can be replanted, it releases more carbon emissions into the atmosphere when burned than coal does. According to the European Biomass Association, Europe burned more than $10 billion of wood pellets for bioenergy in 2013; 79% of the global consumption. The findings in this report may represent a conundrum for companies in Europe that have been converting power plants from coal to wood to meet renewable energy goals.
Wood biomass burned in power plants produces more CO2 than burning coal, according to a new report from Climate Central. Carbon emissions from the Drax Power Station, the largest power plant to switch from burning coal to wood in Europe, showed that 15% to 20% more CO2 was released when burning wood instead of coal. While wood biomass is considered a renewable energy source, as trees can be replanted, it releases more carbon emissions into the atmosphere when burned than coal does. According to the European Biomass Association, Europe burned 40 billion pounds of wood pellets for bioenergy in 2013; 79% of the global consumption. The findings in this report may represent a conundrum for companies in Europe that have been converting power plants from coal to wood to meet renewable energy goals.