Changqing Dong & Xiaoying Hu

4.1 BIOMASS RESOURCES IN CHINA

In order to reduce the use of fossil fuel and the negative effects on climate, China has issued a Renewable Energy Law, which came into effect on 1st January 2006, to promote the development and utilization of renewable energy in China. In 2010, 76.8% of electricity generated in China was from coal (containing coal gangue): this corresponds to 3249 TWh, nearly 1100 million tonnes of coal burned and over 1800 million tonnes of CO2.

Along with the growing of social demand on energy, as the main energy source fossil fuels are decreasing rapidly. Therefore, looking for a renewable energy is being paid more and more attention by society, which becomes a focal point. Biomass is a source of renewable energy, which is considered one of the best forms of alternative energy. Biomass energy comes in many forms and the major sources of biomass are agriculture, food-processing residues, industrial wastes, municipal sewage and household garbage. Biomass accounts for 35% of primary energy con­sumption in developing countries, raising the world total to 14% of primary energy consumption. Biomass — the fourth largest energy source after coal, oil and natural gas — is the largest and most important renewable energy option at present and can be used to produce different forms of energy. It is reported that the annual yield of natural cellulosic biomass in China exceeds 0.7 billion tonnes, in which the amount of corn stalks are around 220 million tonnes. It was assumed about 50% of the agriculture waste can be used as energy, for power generation, heat supply and cooking. It is scheduled that biomass power generation capacity in China will reach 3000 MW in 2020.