Useful, renewable energy produced from organic matter. The conversion of the complex carbohydrates in organic matter to energy. Organic matter may either be used directly as a fuel or processed into liquids and gases.

Liquid, solid, or gaseous fuel produced by conversion of biomass. Examples include bioethanol from sugar cane or corn, charcoal or woodchips, and biogas from anaerobic decomposition of wastes.

The maximum power that a machine or system can produce or carry safely. The maximum instantaneous output of a resource under specified conditions. The capacity of generating equipment is generally expressed in kilowatts or megawatts.

(actual heat produced by combustion) divided by (total heat potential of the fuel consumed)

An airtight vessel or enclosure in which bacteria decomposes biomass in water to produce biogas.

A gasifier in which the product gases pass through a combustion zone at the bottom of the gasifier.

The liquid or gas discharged from a process or chemical reactor, usually containing residues from that process.

Waste substances released into the air or water. See also Effluent.

Crops grown specifically for their fuel value. These include food crops such as corn and sugarcane, and nonfood crops such as poplar trees and switchgrass. Currently, two energy crops are under development: short-rotation woody crops, which are fast-growing hardwood trees harvested in 5 to 8 years, and herbaceous energy crops, such as perennial grasses, which are harvested annually after taking 2 to 3 years to reach full productivity.

Any material which is converted to another form or product.

Conversion of carbon-containing compounds by micro-organisms for production of fuels and checmicals such as alcohols, acids or energy-rich gases.

Small ash particles carried in suspension in combustion products.

Usually broad-leaved and deciduous trees.

The amount of fuel energy required by a power plant to produce one kilowatt-hour of electrical output. A measure of generating station thermal efficiency, generally expressed in Btu per net kWh. It is computed by dividing the total Btu content of fuel burned for electric generation by the resulting net kWh generation.

useful heat output released / actual heat produced in the firebox

The maximum amount of energy that is available from burning a substance.

Common metric unit of area, equal to 2.47 acres. 100 hectares = 1 square kilometer.

(HHV) The maximum potential energy in dry fuel. For wood, the range is from 7,600 to 9,600 Btu/lb (17.7 to 22.3 GJ/t).

(electrical horsepower; hp) A unit for measuring the rate of mechanical energy output, usually used to describe the maximum output of engines or electric motors. 1 hp = 550 foot-pounds per second = 2,545 Btu per hour = 745.7 watts = 0.746 kW

Any chemical compound containing hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon.

Metric unit of energy, equivalent to the work done by a force of one Newton applied over a distance of one meter (= 1 kg m2/s2). One joule (J) = 0.239 calories (1 calorie = 4.187 J).

The size of a system between the small laboratory model size (bench scale) and a full-size system.

Fuel gas high in carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen (H2), produced by burning a solid fuel with insufficient air or by passing a mixture of air and steam through a burning bed of solid fuel.

The thermal decomposition of biomass at high temperatures (greater than 400° F, or 200° C) in the absence of air. The end product of pyrolysis is a mixture of solids (char), liquids (oxygenated oils), and gases (methane, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide) with proportions determined by operating temperature, pressure, oxygen content, and other conditions.

A lining, usually of ceramic, capable of resisting and maintaining high temperatures.

The rate at which electricity flows through a circuit, to transfer energy. Measured in Amperes, commonly called Amps. Analogy: Flow Rate in a water pipe.

A device for converting energy of high-pressure steam (produced in a boiler) into mechanical power which can then be used to generate electricity.

Steam which is hotter than boiling temperature for a given pressure.

An ecosystem condition in which biodiversity, renewability, and resource productivity are maintained over time.