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Biomass is plant matter such as trees,
grasses, agricultural crops or other biological material. It can be used as a
solid fuel, or converted into liquid or gaseous forms, for the production of
electric power, heat, chemicals, or fuels. By integrating a variety of biomass
conversion processes, all of these products can be made in one facility, called
a biorefinery. NREL is working to develop cost effective, environmentally friendly
biomass conversion technologies to reduce our nation's dependence on foreign oil,
improve our air quality, and support rural economies. Learn more about
biomass.
Biomass R&D efforts at NREL are focused on biomass characterization,
thermochemical and biochemical biomass conversion technologies, biobased products
development, and biomass process engineering and analysis. These research areas
directly support the NREL Biomass Program. Exploratory R&D
into opportunities for biomass in photochemical and environmental applications is also included in the laboratory's biomass R&D portfolio.
NREL is the lead national laboratory of the virtual National Bioenergy Center, which was established to support
and coordinate the nation's biomass research activities. The National Bioenergy
Center has primary responsibility for carrying out the agenda of the Office of the
Biomass Program of DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
and other related goals. Collaborating with industrial, academic, related EERE
programs, and other governmental research, development and commercialization
efforts is central to that agenda.
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