7.2 TECHNICAL OUTLINE

7.2.1 Basic Concepts

Bioenergy is solar energy stored in biomass, which may be released by combustion or converted into biofuels. Biopower means electricity generated from either of these.

Biomass means living organic matter derived from plants, formed through photosynthesis. Biomass mainly comprises wood, energy crops, agricultural products (both animal and vegetable), forestry waste (forest residues) and also aquatic plants.

Biomass covers a very wide range of headings, including the following: phytomass, dendromass, zoomass, waste (domestic waste and industrial waste), biodegradable materials, residue-sourced materials, recycled materials, food production residues, agricultural residues, animal residues, vegetable residues, biomass materials, innovative waste materials (poultry litter, coffee residues, mustard husks, spice waste), etc.

Municipal solid waste (MSW) is not considered as biomass (even though most MSW is derived from plant matter) because it also contains a variety of potentially toxic materials, such as creosote-treated wood, batteries that contain mercury, and other hazardous products. "Biopower" plants use only uncontaminated feedstocks, or "pure" biomass.