Biomass

Achieving the national goal of reducing oil imports requires abundant biomass resources, reliable bio-feedstock supply systems, and innovative bio-conversion technologies for producing bioenergy and biobased products. Biomass can be farm-grown trees, agricultural crops or residues, forestry residue, municipal wood residues, animal waste, fibers, or anything organic that is available on a recurring or renewable basis.

Bio-feedstocks can be stored and delivered as dry bales, bundles, chips, cubes, or pellets and as wet chopped materials. The products created from bio-feedstocks encompass liquid and gaseous fuels, chemicals, electric power, heat, building materials, plastics and many other items.

Multiple environmental and economic benefits can be gained from supporting expansion of a biobased products industry in the US if care is taken to ensure that biomass resources are selected, developed, supplied and converted in ways that are sustainable, reliable, safe and profitable for the producers.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory conducts research and development in biomass areas through support from DOE's Biomass Program, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, DOE's Office of Science, and other partners.

Bioconversion Science and Technology

Bioenergy Science Center

Bioenergy Feedstock Information Network (BFIN)

Bioenergy Brochure (pdf)