Technical Note BB11: What is biomass and bioenergy

Biomass - Biomass is the storehouse for solar energy. It takes carbon dioxide from the air and both stores carbon and releases oxygen through the process of photosynthesis.

Bioenergy - Bioenergy is an important form of renewable energy. It is any form of energy released from biomass.

Biofuel - Biofuel sources can be waste materials, such as forestry, landfill waste and whey from the dairy industry, farming residues like straw, livestock slurry, chicken litter, or it can be a crop grown specifically for the purpose of producing energy.  The fuel is available in a number of forms.

A PDF of frequently asked questions about Bioenergy is also available for download here.  For more information on bioenergy check out the EECA web site.