Bioenergy Basics

What is Bioenergy?

Bioenergy is one of many additional resources available to help meet our demand for energy. It is a form of energy that is derived from recently living organic materials such as plants, forestry and agricultural residues, multipurpose and dedicated crops and waste, known as biomass. Biomass can be used to produce transportation fuels, heat, electricity, and products.

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BENEFITS OF A ROBUST BIOENERGY INDUSTRY

Bioenergy can contribute to a more secure and economically sound future by:

  • Expanding domestic energy sources
  • Reducing U.S. dependence on foreign oil
  • Generating U.S. jobs
  • Revitalizing rural economies.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s 2023 Billion-Ton Report: An Assessment of U.S. Renewable Carbon Resources concluded that the United States could triple its production of biomass to more than 1 billion tons per year and still meet demands for food, feed, fiber, and exports. Benefits under the mature-market medium scenario include: 

  • U.S. farmer net market returns increase by $23 billion per year from baseline.
  • At $70 per dry ton, approximately 0.7 - 1.7 billion dry tons of biomass can be produced.
  • A market for purpose-grown biomass crops would contribute to the economic stability of farming while meeting demands for conventional food, feed, and fiber products.
  • The U.S. can triple the production of biomass, producing an estimated 60 billion gallons of liquid fuels. 

Learn more about bioenergy-benefits.

How Does Bioenergy Work?

Bioenergy is a form of energy that works by converting organic materials, known as biomass, into usable energy. Biomass can be converted into energy through various methods, including combustion, gasification, and fermentation. Bioenergy technologies enable the reuse of carbon from biomass and waste streams into transportation fuels, heat, electricity, and other products.

BIOMASS: AN ADDITIONAL ENERGY RESOURCE

Two silos in the middle of a corn field.

Switchgrass fields and facilities in East Tennessee. | Photo courtesy of ORNL

 

Biomass is a supplemental 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
  • Food waste

Biomass is a versatile and abundant energy source. It can be converted into productive and affordable biofuels and bioproducts, providing a viable supplement to fossil-based fuels and liquid transportation fuels, such as gasoline, jet, and diesel fuel. Bioenergy technologies enable the reuse of carbon from biomass and waste streams into fuels for cars, trucks, jets and ships; bioproducts; and biopower.

Learn more about Biomass Resources.

Types of Bioenergy

BIOFUELS: ENERGY FOR TRANSPORTATION

Algae tubes for biofuel research with woman researcher

NREL Post Doc Brenna Black draws samples from a tubular bag photobioreactor, to inoculate new growth media, at the Algal Research Lab at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, CO. Photo by Dennis Schroeder, NREL

 

Biomass is a type of energy resource that can be converted into liquid fuels—known as biofuels—for transportation. Biofuels include cellulosic ethanol, biodiesel, and 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.

Learn more about Biofuels.

BIOPOWER: ENERGY FOR HEAT AND ELECTRICITY

Wheat field with blue sky and clouds

Biopower technologies convert 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. Unlike some forms of intermittent energy, biopower can increase the flexibility of electricity generation and enhance the reliability of the electric grid. 

Learn more about Biopower.

BIOPRODUCTS: EVERYDAY COMMODITIES MADE FROM BIOMASS

Collage of bioproducts

Biomass is a versatile energy resource, much like petroleum. Beyond converting biomass to biofuels for vehicle use, it can also be used in the manufacturing of bioproducts such as plastics, lubricants, industrial chemicals, and many other products. Mimicking the petroleum refinery model, integrated biorefineries can produce bioproducts alongside biofuels. This co-production strategy offers an efficient, cost-effective, and integrated approach to the use of U.S. biomass resources. Revenue generated from bioproducts also offers added value, improving the economics of biorefinery operations and creating additional cost-competitive fuels.

Learn more about Bioproducts.

[1] Rogers, J. N., B. Stokes, J. Dunn, H. Cai, M. Wu, Z. Haq, H. Baumes. 2016. “An Assessment of the Potential Products and Economic and Environmental Impacts Resulting from a Billion Ton Bioeconomy.”Biofuels, Bioproducts, and Biorefining, 11: 110–128. https://doi.org/10.1002/bbb.1728.

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