A new report for the UK’s department of energy and climate change has argued that burning wood to produce electricity, under tightly controlled conditions, can produce lower carbon emissions than other fuels. The report represents a significant call for a stronger focus on energy related issues, raising debates over how the technology can be used in the future. Biomass that includes wood, other plants and waste products, has been used as an alternative to burning coal to produce energy for several time. However, biomass carries with it potential matters: for instance, the wood used to fuel the power plants could undermine the role of forests as a long-term store for carbon. Moreover, the use of wood from older forests that can take centuries to replace could cause other severe problems. Additionally, the consequences of these phenomena can result in the destruction of species that live in these habitats. In this way, the report outlines various scenarios in which the use of biomass can be either beneficial, in terms of carbon emissions, or problematic. In relation to these findings, the chief executive of the UK’s biggest coal-fired power station that is converting some of its boilers to biomass by using wood imported from the US, explains that biomass could be an effective instrument in order reduce emissions. Biomass can represent a good form of renewable energy, the chief executive shows. According to the Renewable Energy Association, companies need to operate in accordance with the guidelines set out by the UK government in order to cut emissions. This approach would result in significant carbon savings and lower greenhouse gas emissions for the UK. The gLAWcal Team EPSEI project Wednesday, 23 July 2014 (Source: The Guardian)