Biomass Evaluation Has To Include Market Forces

Duke University Research Blog
By Ashley Mooney

As researchers look for alternative fuel sources, researcher Christopher Galik of the Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions finds that any discussion of biomass has to include market forces.

Galik and fellow scientist Robert Abt wanted to eliminate the differences between studies on the feasibility of biomass to compare them evenly. Theyidentified which variables caused both positive and negative conclusions in earlier studies and found that accounting for market forces changes the estimated greenhouse gas emissions of biomass.

“One of the things that is often mentioned with regard to biomass—specifically when you’re talking about greenhouse gas emissions—is whether or not it’s better or worse than a fossil fuel alternative,” Galik said. “Does using biomass help bring down greenhouse gas emissions or bring it up? There have been a number of studies that said both.”

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