Biomass replaces fossil fuel generated electricityThis carbon offset project is a biomass power-only plant located in the Heilongjiang Province, China. Local biomass feedstocks, (maize straw and rice straw), and other forestry residues, are collected and transported by local farmers. The residue is processed to generate electricity with the help of a 30 MW power generator. The project is designed to supply 190,440 MWh per year to the Northeast China Power Grid.
Without the project, the biomass residues would be burnt in an uncontrolled manner or would be dumped or left to decay, which would result in higher methane emissions. The power generated in the biomass plant replaces the same amount of electricity generated by fossil fuel power plants and thereby avoids about 172,090 tonnes CO2 per year. The local community is also positively impacted by the improvement of the economy and living conditions.
How biomass projects help contribute to climate changeBiomass refers to organic residues such as tree branches, leaves, sawdust, wood chips or coconut shells. Those are of a biogenic, non-fossil nature that can be used to generate renewable energy. One way to generate renewable energy, among others, is to fire kilns using biomass. This process prevents harmful smoke and large quantities of CO2 to be released.
As an additional greenhouse gas reduction measure, biomass climate projects mostly prevent biomass from rotting in the open air, so that no methane (CH4) is released. Biomass projects in the ClimatePartner portfolio are registered with international standards.
