BIOMASS ENERGY

Bioenergy is one of many diverse resources available to help meet our demand

for energy. It is a form of renewable energy that is derived from recently living

organic materials known as biomass, which can be used to produce

transportation fuels, heat, electricity, and products.

Benefits of Bioenergy Industry

Abundant and renewable bioenergy can contribute to a more secure, 

sustainable, and economically sound future by:

1. Supplying domestic clean energy sources

2. Reducing dependence on foreign oil sources

3. Generating green energy jobs

4. Revitalizing rural economies.

Biomass as a Renewable Energy Resource

Biomass is a renewable energy resource derived from plant- and algae-based

materials that include Crop wastes, Forest residues, Purpose-grown grasses,

Woody energy crops, Microalgae, Urban wood waste and Food waste.

Biomass is a versatile renewable energy source. It can be converted into liquid

transportation fuels that are equivalent to fossil-based fuels, such as gasoline,

jet, and diesel fuel. Bioenergy technologies enable the reuse of carbon from

biomass and waste streams into reduced-emissions fuels for cars, trucks, jets,

and ships; bioproducts; and renewable power.

Biofuels as Energy for Transportation

Biomass is one type of renewable resource that can be converted into liquid

fuels—known as biofuels—for transportation. Biofuels include cellulosic ethanol,

biodiesel, and renewable hydrocarbon "drop-in" fuels. The two most common

types of biofuels in use today are ethanol and biodiesel. Biofuels can be used in

airplanes and most vehicles that are on the road. Renewable transportation fuels

that are functionally equivalent to petroleum fuels lower the carbon intensity of

our vehicles and airplanes.

Biopower as Energy for Heat And Electricity

Biopower technologies convert renewable biomass fuels into heat and electricity

using processes like those used with fossil fuels. There are three ways to harvest

the energy stored in biomass to produce biopower: burning, bacterial decay, and

conversion to a gas or liquid fuel. Biopower can offset the need for carbon fuels

burned in power plants, thus lowering the carbon intensity of electricity

generation. Unlike some forms of intermittent renewable energy, biopower can

increase the flexibility of electricity generation and enhance the reliability of the

electric grid. 

Bioproducts as Everyday Commodities Made from Biomass

Biomass is a versatile energy resource, much like petroleum. Beyond converting

biomass to biofuels for vehicle use, it can also serve as a renewable alternative

to fossil fuels in the manufacturing of bioproducts such as plastics, lubricants,

industrial chemicals, and many other products currently derived from petroleum

or natural gas. Mimicking the existing petroleum refinery model, integrated

biorefineries can produce bioproducts alongside biofuels. This co-production

strategy offers a more efficient, cost-effective, and integrated approach to the use

of biomass resources. Revenue generated from bioproducts also offers added

value, improving the economics of biorefinery operations and creating more cost-

competitive biofuels.