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 direct¬combustion technology. Future efficiency improvements will include co-firing of biomass in existing  coal fired boilers and the introduction of high-efficiency gasification combined¬cycle systems, fuel cell systems, and modular systems.

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.

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

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

A variety of fuels can be made from biomass resources, including the liquid fuels ethanol, methanol, biodiesel, Fischer-Tropsch 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