Biomass
The Daily Mail City team explain what biomass is and how burning more of it could help reduce the UK's carbon dioxide emissions.
Obesity?
No, it's not a new PC way of calling someone fat. Biomass is the name for biological material derived from living or recently living organisms. Think plant-based stuff like trees, wood or crops that are ready to burn in power stations.
Why should I care?
Energy companies including Drax Group would like to burn more biomass materials instead of coal as a way of reducing their emissions of carbon dioxide - which is given off when fossil fuels are burned. Britain has signed up to reduce its emissions of CO² into the earth's atmosphere.
What's the big deal?
Britain will have to spend about £200bn over the next decade if it is to stand any chance of cutting CO² emissions in line with government targets. Burning more biomass could be one way to do it. But it's harder to handle than coal, needs dedicated storage and can create lots of unsavoury dust.
Is biomass making a difference?
It is, but only at a very low level. Drax generated around 7% of the UK's total renewable power in 2010 by burning biomass. But the company won't spend any more money without government and regulatory support to encourage a shift away from coal.
Most watched Money videos
- BMW's Vision Neue Klasse X unveils its sports activity vehicle future
- Inside the new Ferrari V12 Cilindri
- Skoda reveals Skoda Epiq as part of an all-electric car portfolio
- 2025 Aston Martin DBX707: More luxury but comes with a higher price
- Land Rover unveil newest all-electric Range Rover SUV
- MailOnline asks Lexie Limitless 5 quick fire EV road trip questions
- How to invest for income and growth: SAINTS' James Dow
- Tesla unveils new Model 3 Performance - it's the fastest ever!
- Mini celebrates the release of brand new all-electric car Mini Aceman
- Blue Whale fund manager on the best of the Magnificent 7
- Mini Cooper SE: The British icon gets an all-electric makeover
- 'Now even better': Nissan Qashqai gets a facelift for 2024 version
- MIDAS SHARE TIPS UPDATE: Wind is turning in Octopus...
- MIDAS SHARE TIPS: Why it soon won't be hip to give the...
- Cost-of-living crunch wipes shine off Thomas Sabo jewellery
- TONY HETHERINGTON: Boss behind firms fined £340k for over...
- 86-year-old Peter's woes with a faulty smart meter that...
- Virgin Money's biggest independent investor...
- CITY WHISPERS: Bill Ackman's cerulean eyes charm...
- JOHCM UK EQUITY INCOME FUND: Rate cuts... and a spending...
- North Sea projects worth £21bn put at risk by Labour: Tax...
- British businesses awash with 'accidental' bosses who...
- A good week - not before time, but let's not get carried...
- Hollywood silly money? I'd only have stuffed it under the...
- Where is Labour's 'white heat' revolution to revive...
- Helium and hydrogen company set to join stock market in...
- Britain's nascent battery industry receives shot in the...
- Shipping broker Clarksons on list of shame after...
- Ikea pushes back opening of its Oxford Street store to...
- MARKET REPORT: S4 Capital shares soar as Sir Martin...