Why Biomass?

Biomass is the sequestered energy from the sun, or stored solar energy. When released in a controled way, this energy can be used to heat communities, commercial buildings, and large farming operations. The term biomass refers to structural and non-structural carbohydrates and other compounds produced through photosynthesis consisting of plant materials and agricultural, industrial, and municipal wastes and residues. The components of biomass include cellulose, hemicelluloses, lignin, lipids, proteins, simple sugars, starches, water, hydrocarbons, ash and other compounds.

Biomass consists of organic residues from plants and animals, which are obtained primarily from the harvesting and processing of agricultural and forestry crops. The most cost effective heating occurs when biomass wastes and byproducts destined for landfill are redefined and reformatted so that they become fuels for producing energy. Examples of biomass residues that are frequently wasted but could be utilized in as an energy source are forest slash, urban wood waste, lumber waste, as well as straw and other agricultural waste.