Is Bagasse a Renewable Source of Energy?
Did you know that climate change will be irreversible by 2030? This implies that at the rate at which we are going, we will be on the verge of exhaustion of most of our resources. And, despite this, most of us are still reliant on non-renewable sources of energy, which has a major impact on environmental degradation.
Switching to renewable sources of energy is the need of the hour to save the planet. In fact, did you know tons of natural resources could be used as a powerhouse to generate renewable sources of power for a better future? One of such elements that hits instantly is Bagasse. And, here’s what you need to know about using bagasse as a renewable resource of energy.
What is Bagasse & How is it Manufactured?
Bagasse is a leftover agro-waste generated and abandoned mostly from the sugarcane industry. On average, around 700 tons of this leftover is generated and burnt. However, at EcoSoul, we upcycle this waste and craft it into better usable products like everyday essentials.
The process involves a lot of machinery and human involvement. However, the usability of bagasse as a renewable source is a whole different dynamic. Let's explore how bagasse is used as a source but before that, let's have clarity on what exactly is a renewable source of energy.
What is a Renewable Source of Energy?
A renewable source of energy is something that gets renewed on its own and doesn't require any external source involvement, unlike non-renewable sources of energy. Renewable sources of energy are of different types, including hydro, tidal, biobased, solar, geothermal, and so on. Each of them serves a different purpose. However, they don't impact any of the environment's existing resources but rather maintain a flow of maintained supply chain in the ecosystem.
How is Bagasse A Renewable Source of Energy?
As stated above, bagasse is the byproduct of sugarcane left behind once the juice is extracted from the stalks of sugarcane. This extracted leftover is then further processed and converted into bagasse. In most cases, this residual waste is burnt, contributing to landfills.
But did you know that most of the countries that have been engaged in the production of sugarcane use this residue as a boiler most of the time? Wait, what’s exactly a boiler? Well, it is a form of fuel that is used to produce electricity in most industries. The boiler fuel produces a form of steam that further helps in the smoother churning of electricity in which machinery can be used for the production continuously without any hindrance.
There has to be a solid reason why bagasse is mostly preferred in these places, right?
A few major factors that influence this as a first choice is because of cost efficiency, availability, and sustainability. To add, these residues are rich in most of the other components as well, like lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose, which are major factors in the production of Biomass.
All in all, bagasse is a smart and sustainable choice of renewable energy. It is the most affordable and available option of renewable energy. The best part about using this material is the promotion of an eco-friendly lifestyle. Being a part of the initiative and working towards a better tomorrow intrigues us more to be a part of the circular economy and embrace sustainable and guilt-free living.