Biomass

CALS Bioenergy Feedstock Project > General Information > Biomass

Switchgrass Genesee County

Biomass is any organic material made from plants or animals. Domestic biomass resources include agricultural and forestry residues, municipal solid wastes, industrial wastes, and terrestrial and aquatic crops grown solely for energy purposes.

We have sectioned the biomass into three main groups:

Energy Crops provides information about dedicated crops for bioenergy production which include switchgrass, willow, sorghum, and corn.

Oil Crops covers oilseed plants, such as soybean, rapeseed, and castor, as well as algae production for biodiesel.

Residue & Waste Materials looks at the availability of crop residues, forestry, and other waste products for use in bioenergy production.

Additional Information

Dept. of Energy Biomass program

Currently, biomass is the only clean, renewable energy source that can help to significantly diversify transportation fuels in the U.S. The Biomass Program is helping transform the nation's renewable and abundant biomass resources into cost competitive, high performance biofuels, bioproducts, and biopower.

Bioenergy Feedstock Information

BFIN is a gateway to a wealth of biomass feedstock information resources from the U.S. Department of Energy, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Idaho National Laboratory, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and other research organizations.

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

NREL is working to develop cost effective, environmentally friendly biomass conversion technologies to reduce our nation's dependence on foreign oil, improve our air quality, and support rural economies.

Publications

Biofuels and Agriculture (PDF)

Advances in technologies for making “biofuels” like ethanol and biodiesel mean that new markets are opening up. These can provide extra farm income, help to revitalize rural communities, and improve the environment at the same time.

Biofuels for Your State DOE (PDF)

Biofuels are liquid transportation fuels made from plant matter instead of petroleum. Bioethanol and biodiesel—the primary biofuels today—can substitute for gasoline and diesel or be blended with them to reduce toxic air emissions. Using biofuels also reduces greenhouse gas buildup, dependence on imported oil, and trade deficits, while supporting local agriculture and rural economies.