What is biomass? Biomass is any fuel derived from biological matter.

Biomass
Biomass is
plant-derived material usable as a renewable energy source (Renewable Energy). This
can include wood, grain alcohol, and sugar cane bagasse. With its many forms it is not
surprising to find out that biomass is one of the top renewable energy sources in the
U.S (Renewable Energy). Biomass is used on all levels of power production from
industrial power generation to residential heating.
Biomass has many forms. The most common come from wood, corn, and
sugarcane. Wood is usually burned. Corn and sugar cane are either burned or
converted to ethanol.
Wood is the oldest fuel. From sticks to pellets, it takes many forms. The first form
of course is an open fire. A fireplace is an open area, usually made of brick or stone,
where one burns a fire for warmth. Unfortunately, depending on the weather, they
consume a huge amount of oxygen, making a draft in the room that can take more heat
than a fire can give. Because of this, most fireplaces are built for decorative purposes
only. Fireplaces are now being replaced with more efficient wood-burning alternatives.
The simplest of these is a wood stove. Modern technology has greatly improved
the efficiency of wood stoves. In his book Alternative Energy Demystified, Stan Gibilisco
states that Wood stoves have become sophisticated in recent years, with the advent of
optimized air intake systems, blowers, thermostats, and catalytic converters similar to
the emission-control devices found in cars (Gibilisco 3).
Though not the most efficient of wood-based biomass heaters, wood stoves
have a few advantages over more complicated systems. Though many wood stoves are

installed with blowers and other electric devices for the increase of airflow, they can
almost universally be used even with the lack of electric power. Also, due to their simple
design, they are cheaper. Less moving parts also means more reliability. One of the
biggest advantages to wood stoves is their versatility. In an emergency such as a
natural disaster, wood stoves can burn other materials, although it is strongly
discouraged.
The other common heating system fueled by wood is commonly known as the
pellet stove. Pellet stoves burn premade pellets made of dried and compressed wood.

Works Cited
"Renewable Energy Sources." World Almanac & Book of Facts (2009): 633. Academic
Search Premier.
Premier. EBSCO. Web. 27 May 2010.