As a subsequent topic of my previous blog entry regarding the paradox of renewable energy. Technically, biomass, as defined by the BIOMASS Energy Centre, is the biological material derived from living, or recently living organism. However, it defers from traditional fossil fuels by the time factor, at the same time takes out carbon while it is growing and returns as it is burned, therefore creating as well as maintains a closed loop of carbon cycle.
An interesting project I stumble upon by Thomas Heatherwick Studio, where he questioned the role of a post industrial area be given a second chance to regenerate instead of a mere sculpture of the past.
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| Image Source https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/12/BEI-Teesside-power-plant-by-Heatherwick-Studio-3.jpg |
The Teesside Power Station. The main objective of the project was to be the 2nd power station in Britain to generate renewable energy that works as an interactional landmark that had a more intimate connection to the ground. To get away ffrom the idea of traditional power station that is isolated from society and instead creating a public space of civic and recreational value. (Heatherwick, n.d) Similar to the BIG's Clean Energy Plant in Copenhegan. My take of the ideology of a building in architecture is not merely a multidisciplinary process but it should also take into consideration a socio-environmental and socio-political aspects that gives back to the community or the environment. However, conceptually the idea of Teesside in mediating the boundaries seem plaussible but I would question the idea of bring the landscape vertically as the facade, in terms of functionality it seems redundant without community interaction as compared to BIG's Clean Energy Plant.
However, despite all the advantages and hype revolving biomass energy. Reports suggested otherwise, that renewable energy produced from biomass has multiple challenges and barriers thar requires further research and development is need in order to pursue the idea of additional biomass energy. As compared to other renewable energy systems, its first priority is to sustain the living organisms that will then used to power the system when cost of living is already problematic. This may be damaging the environment more than it is trying to sustain it, in fact, biowaste produces another type of GHG called Methane which is 25% more harmful than Carbon Dioxide. In fact, Greenpeace opposing voice arguing that "the bioenergy sector is damaging its future acceptance by not acknowledging the upfront 'carbon' debt' by consumping resource for energy as well as its significant environmental effects such as pollution of the Methane gas.
With the benefit of doubt the question of biomass energy is truly green remains open for debate. However, through my career reflections as well as sustainable development blog entries: "As architects, it is crucial to work together with organisation can achive better results for sustaimable development in order to have the almagamation between sustainable functionality and architectural expression.
Resource:
http://www.biomassenergycentre.org.uk/portal/page?_pageid=76,15049&_dad=portal
http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/Advantages_Disadvantages_BiomassEnergy.php
http://arena.gov.au/files/2013/08/Chapter-12-Bioenergy.pdf
http://www.greenpeace.org/australia/en/?ref=2016-tax-appeal-coal-free-future-TO
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