Biomass Energy
1
, Biomass Basics
Biomass (organic matter) can be used to provide heat,
make fuels, chemicals and other products, and generate
electricity. Wood, the largest source of bioenergy, has
been used to provide heat for thousands of years. But
there are many other types of biomass—such as wood,
plants, residue from agriculture or forestry, and the
organic component of municipal and industrial wastes—
can now be used to produce fuels, chemicals and power.
In the future, biomass resources may be replenished
through the cultivation of energy crops, such as fast-
growing trees and grasses, called biomass feedstocks.
2
, Biomass Basics(2)
Biomass can be converted directly into liquid fuels for
our transportation needs. The two most common
biofuels are ethanol and biodiesel.
Ethanol, an alcohol, is made by fermenting any
biomass high in carbohydrates, like corn, through a
process similar to brewing beer. It is mostly used as a
fuel additive to cut down a vehicle's carbon monoxide
and other smog-causing emissions.
Biodiesel, an ester, is made using vegetable oils,
animal fats, algae, or even recycled cooking greases.
It can be used as a diesel additive to reduce vehicle
emissions or in its pure form to fuel a vehicle.
3
, Biomass Basics(3)
Heat can be used to chemically convert biomass into a
fuel oil, which can be burned like petroleum to generate
electricity. Biomass can also be burned directly to
produce steam for electricity production or manufacturing
processes. In a power plant, a turbine usually captures
the steam, and a generator then converts it into
electricity. In the paper industries, wood scraps are
sometimes directly fed into boilers to produce steam for
their manufacturing processes or to heat their buildings.
Some coal-fired power plants use biomass as a
supplementary energy source in high-efficiency boilers to
significantly reduce emissions.
4
1
, Biomass Basics
Biomass (organic matter) can be used to provide heat,
make fuels, chemicals and other products, and generate
electricity. Wood, the largest source of bioenergy, has
been used to provide heat for thousands of years. But
there are many other types of biomass—such as wood,
plants, residue from agriculture or forestry, and the
organic component of municipal and industrial wastes—
can now be used to produce fuels, chemicals and power.
In the future, biomass resources may be replenished
through the cultivation of energy crops, such as fast-
growing trees and grasses, called biomass feedstocks.
2
, Biomass Basics(2)
Biomass can be converted directly into liquid fuels for
our transportation needs. The two most common
biofuels are ethanol and biodiesel.
Ethanol, an alcohol, is made by fermenting any
biomass high in carbohydrates, like corn, through a
process similar to brewing beer. It is mostly used as a
fuel additive to cut down a vehicle's carbon monoxide
and other smog-causing emissions.
Biodiesel, an ester, is made using vegetable oils,
animal fats, algae, or even recycled cooking greases.
It can be used as a diesel additive to reduce vehicle
emissions or in its pure form to fuel a vehicle.
3
, Biomass Basics(3)
Heat can be used to chemically convert biomass into a
fuel oil, which can be burned like petroleum to generate
electricity. Biomass can also be burned directly to
produce steam for electricity production or manufacturing
processes. In a power plant, a turbine usually captures
the steam, and a generator then converts it into
electricity. In the paper industries, wood scraps are
sometimes directly fed into boilers to produce steam for
their manufacturing processes or to heat their buildings.
Some coal-fired power plants use biomass as a
supplementary energy source in high-efficiency boilers to
significantly reduce emissions.
4
