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Biomass technologies use renewable biomass
resources to produce an array of energy related products including
electricity, liquid, solid, and gaseous fuels, heat, chemicals, and
other materials. Bioenergy ranks second (to hydropower) in renewable
U.S. primary energy production and accounts for three percent of the
primary energy production in the United States.
Technologies
Biomass Resources
The term "biomass" means any plant derived organic matter available on
a renewable basis, including dedicated energy crops and trees,
agricultural food and feed crops, agricultural crop wastes and
residues, wood wastes and residues, aquatic plants, animal wastes,
municipal wastes, and other waste materials. Handling technologies,
collection logistics and infrastructure are important aspects of the
biomass resource supply chain.
Biopower
Biopower technologies are proven electricity generation options in the
United States, with 10 gigawatts of installed capacity. All of today's
capacity is based on mature direct-combustion technology. Future
efficiency improvements will include co-firing of biomass in existing
coal fired boilers and the introduction of high-efficiency gasification
combined-cycle systems, fuel cell systems, and modular systems.
Biofuels
A variety of fuels can be made from biomass resources, including the
liquid fuels ethanol, methanol, biodiesel, Fischer-Tropsch diesel, and
gaseous fuels such as hydrogen and methane. Biofuels research and
development is composed of three main areas: producing the fuels,
finding applications and uses of the fuels, and creating a distribution
infrastructure.
Biobased Chemicals and
Materials
Biobased chemicals and materials are commercial or industrial products,
other than food and feed, derived from biomass feedstocks. Biobased
products include green chemicals, renewable plastics, natural fibers,
and natural structural materials. Many of these products can replace
products and materials traditionally derived from petrochemicals, but
new and improved processing technologies will be required.
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