Biomass

Bagasse is a cheap source of fuel, and emits lower levels of carbon dioxide and other harmful gases when used.
Source: National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Biomass refers to organic materials, such as wood by-products or agricultural waste, which can be burned to produce energy or converted into a gas and used as a fuel.

For example, the leftover pulp when sugar cane is processed, called bagasse, can be burnt to generate electricity. In North Queensland some power stations burn bagasse to generate the electrical power for sugar mills. Surplus electricity is sold to the local electricity suppliers.

In 1999 the ACT Government built two small renewable energy generators. Now connected to the ACT's electricity network, these generators are powered by methane gas collected from the decomposition of biomass in the landfill at Mugga Lane and Belconnen Waste Management Centres.

Other examples of biomass include aquatic plants, animal waste, fast-growing trees and plants, and city or industrial waste.