bioenergia

Bioenergia, or bioenergy, is energy derived from biomass—organic matter from plants, animals, and their residues. It encompasses solid fuels such as wood and pellets, liquid fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel, and gaseous fuels such as biogas. When biomass is produced and used sustainably, bioenergy is renewable, because the carbon released during use is offset by the CO2 the feedstock absorbed during growth. It provides heat, electricity, and fuels for transport.

Conversion pathways include direct combustion for heat and power; gasification or pyrolysis to produce bio-oil or syngas; anaerobic digestion to create biogas; fermentation to produce bioethanol; and transesterification to make biodiesel. Emerging routes draw on lignocellulosic feedstocks or algae to produce advanced biofuels.

Feedstocks include wood residues, agricultural by-products, dedicated energy crops, and municipal or organic waste. The environmental and social outcomes depend on feedstock choices, farming practices, land use, and the efficiency of processing and end-use technologies.

Bioenergy is used for heating, electricity, and transportation fuels. It can provide dispatchable power and help reduce dependence on fossil fuels, but its net impact hinges on the entire supply chain, including harvest, transport, processing, and efficiency of end-use.

Sustainability criteria and policies are common to bioenergy to ensure greenhouse gas reductions and to protect land, water, and biodiversity. Critics highlight risks such as deforestation, competition with food, and water use, underscoring the need for robust life cycle assessment.

Global development continues with second- and third-generation biofuels, including lignocellulosic and algal pathways, aimed at higher yields and lower footprint. Economic viability, policy support, and the competition with other renewables will shape its role in decarbonization strategies.