Biomass
Biomass can be used to produce renewable electricity, thermal energy, or transportation fuels (biofuels). Biomass is defined as living or recently dead organisms and any byproducts of those organisms, plant or animal. The term is generally understood to exclude coal, oil, and other fossilized remnants of organisms, as well as soils. In this strict sense, biomass encompasses all living things. In the context of biomass energy, however, the term refers to those crops, residues, and other biological materials that can be used as a substitute for fossil fuels in the production of energy and other products.
Learn more from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute
- Biomass Energy BasicsFrom the National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Alternative Fuels
- Fuel Properties ComparisonFrom the U.S. Department of Energy. Create a custom chart comparing fuel properties and characteristics for multiple fuels. Select the fuel and properties of interest.
- Biodiesel: The official site of the National Biodiesel BoardInfo from the biodiesel trade association.
- Quiz Yourself: Biodiesel Fuels
- Quiz Yourself: Fuel Cell
- 5 Alternative Fuels that Never Made it out of the Lab
- Alternative Fuel
- How Biodiesel Works
- How Fuel Cells Work
- How E85 Ethanol Flex Fuel Works
- How Natural-gas Vehicles Work
- How Algae Biodiesel Works
- Can a car run on nuclear power?
- Could salt water fuel cars?
- Grassoline: can we fuel cars with grass?
- Is ethanol really more eco-friendly than gas?
- How Fuel Cells Work (Video)
- Better Alternative Fuel than Corn (Video)
- Vegetable-Oil Engine (Video)
Books from our collection
Bioenergy: Biomass to Biofuels by Call Number: Online BookISBN: 9780124081208Publication Date: 2014-11-10
Biodiesel by Call Number: 662.669 P141 2008 (Fort Atkinson)ISBN: 9781933392967Publication Date: 2008-09-15
Technologies for Converting Biomass to Useful Energy by Call Number: Online BookISBN: 9780203120262Publication Date: 2013-04-16
