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 Biomass is organic matter which is derived from renewable resources. It includes agricultural crops, residues, wood and wood waste, animal wastes, fast-growing trees, municipal waste, and food processing waste. The burning of the waste and crops creates biomass energy. This biomass energy can be used to produce electricity, but it achieves its' greatest efficiency when combined with the heat produced during the process, known as combined heat and power (CHP). The use of biomass helps promote energy independence and reduces reliance on foreign energy sources by converting domestic waste products into fuel. Biomass absorbs carbon dioxide (CO2), but upon combustion the carbon goes back into the atmosphere as CO2, making the entire process carbon neutral. The biomass absorbs CO2 to photosynthesize organic compounds using solar energy. That energy is stored chemically and released when the biomass is burned.
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