The term "biomass" means any plant derived organic  matter available on a renewable basis, including dedicated  energy crops and trees, agricultural food and feed crops, agricultural crop wastes and residues, wood wastes and  residues, aquatic plants, animal wastes, municipal wastes, and other waste materials. Handling technologies, collection logistics and infrastructure are important  aspects of the biomass resource supply chain.

Biopower technologies are proven electricity generation options in the United States, with 10 gigawatts of  installed capacity. All of today's capacity is based on mature direct­combustion technology. Future efficiency improvements will include co­firing of biomass in existing  coal fired boilers and the introduction of high­efficiency gasification combined­cycle systems, fuel cell systems, and modular systems.

A variety of fuels can be made from biomass resources, including the liquid fuels ethanol, methanol, biodiesel, Fischer­Tropsch diesel, and gaseous fuels such as  hydrogen and methane. Biofuels research and  development is composed of three main areas: producing  the fuels, finding applications and uses of the fuels, and  creating a distribution infrastructure.

Biobased chemicals and materials are commercial orindustrial products, other than food and feed, derived  from biomass feedstocks. Biobased products include  green chemicals, renewable plastics, natural fibers, and  natural structural materials. Many of these products can  replace products and materials traditionally derived from  petrochemicals, but new and improved processing  technologies will be required.

The economic, social, environmental, and ecological  consequences in growing and using biomass are  important to understand and consider when addressing  technological, market, and policy issues associated with  bioenergy systems.

An emerging concept for the UEMOA to be aware of is biorefineries. A biorefinery involves the co-production of a spectrum of bio-based products (food, feed, materials, chemicals) and energy (fuels, power, heat) from biomass

Any bioenergy production will lead to a removal of biomass from the land. This potentially leads to soil degradation, with negative effects on soil productivity, habitats, and off-site pollution. Pyrolysis , coupled with organic matter returned through biochar, addresses this dilemma, as about half of the original carbon can be returned to the soil. Biochar is a fine-grained charcoal high in organic carbon and largely resistant to decomposition. Biochar is produced by heating biomass in the absence (or under reduction) of air, or pyrolysis.

Demand from energy consumers has mostly coalesced around these three factors reliable, affordable, and environmentally. Each goal has responsible for the energy source. These trends will likely through two mutually reinforcing virtuous circles. The deployment of new technologies will help further decrease costs and improve integration.

Biomass is one of the most natural forms of H₂-rich compounds consisting mainly of carbohydrates. Both amorphous (lignin) as well as crystalline and semi-crystalline regions (cellulose and hemicellulose) of biomass are rich in hydrogen and, thus, they serve as potential resources for the production of H₂ using various chemical and thermochemical processes.

Direct combustion is the simplest and most widely used bioenergy technology for converting biomass to heat which can then be used for space heating or cooling, to heat water, for use in industrial processes, or to produce electricity via a steam engine or turbine.