Dear Solar Guy,

        I keep hearing about 'biomass this and biomass that'  .... just what
is this stuff?  By the way, I've also hear about 'thermal mass' ...is there
an connection?  And are these things useful and if so, where can I get some?

Barney Massive, Big Spring, TX

-----------------------

Dear Barney,

        No, there is no connection between the two, except they are both
involved with renewable energy.

        Thermal mass refers to material that can store thermal energy (heat)
as its temperature increases, and release thermal energy as it cools.  The
term is common in passive building designs where materials that serve as
part of the building structure can absorb energy coming through windows
during the daylight hours and then later release energy back to the building
space as the building tends to cool off in the evening.  The presence of
'thermal mass' reduces the temperature excursions by the building interior
during the day and can partially or fully offset the need for active heating
during the night.  Such materials are slab floors, and masonry walls, or in
some cases containers filled with water.  Thermal mass functions
particularly well in buildings located in hot and dry climates where
humidity control is not a major concern.  This can be a very economical
feature of a building.

        Biomass is material produced from plant growth.  In the context of
renewable energy, this material would be harvested and used in whole or in
part to produce energy or a fuel used for energy.  Good examples are
sugarcane and cotton gin refuse, and animal manure.  These materials are
processed in various ways (i.e fermentation) to produce gaseous or liquid
fuel.  Another example is grain used to produce ethanol, and some times
mixed with gasoline and sold as gasohol. Gasohol contributes significantly
to fuels for automobiles.

        So these are much different but important factors in renewable
energy.  As to getting some, since you live in Big Spring a passive home
with thermal mass designed into it would be ideal.  As for biomass, there
are lots of cotton hulls just north of you in the Panhandle.

The Solar Guy.