Biomass is a growing source of renewable energy, yet it is an unfamiliar term to many people. Biomass basically refers to organic materials derived from plants or animals. Most biomass energy comes from plant material that is either burned directly or converted into liquid or gas (biofuels). Biomass is estimated to make up roughly 3% of energy production nationally.
In Virginia, many facilities use biomass in the form of wood fuels. Much of this is wood waste from other industrial processes. Burning this wood waste often prevents the need for transportation and disposal. Landfill waste to energy programs are also biomass sources. Decomposing waste in landfills produces gas that can be extracted and used as a fuel source. Virginia ranks 8th in use of biomass for electrical generation.