Everything you need to know about biomass

What exactly is biomass? Often overlooked by the general public, this renewable energy (RE) source is based on resources that surround us every day, such as wood, agricultural residues, and organic waste.

Based on a principle "as old as the world itself", biomass converts organic matter into heat, electricity, or fuel. This apparent simplicity is the key to its success, and today it is the leading source of renewable energy in France, ahead of wind power and photovoltaics.

So, how does it work? What are its different forms? What challenges lie ahead for the coming years? We tell you everything about biomass: its opportunities, its strengths, but also its limitations!

👀 Also worth reading:

• Everything you need to know about electric vehicle charging stations
• Everything you need to know about geothermal energy

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Biomass: the definition

📊 Key dates:

• 1975: A landmark year for Brazil, which launched the "Proalcool" programme aimed at promoting "green" fuels.
• 1990: Biomass energy consumption accounts for approximately 6.7% of total global energy consumption.
• 2004: Biomass represents 10.6% of global energy consumption.
• 2024: In France, primary consumption of solid biomass reaches 123.3 TWh (131.6 TWh in climate-adjusted data).

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INSEE defines biomass as "a set of organic materials that can become energy sources. These can be used either directly (wood energy), after methanisation of organic matter (biogas), or through further chemical transformation (biofuel). They can also be used for composting." To put it simply, biomass is living plant and animal matter whose combustion can be used to generate electricity.

What are the different types of biomass?

Biomass exists in 3 forms:

• Solid biomass: these are solid organic materials, such as straw, wood chips, or logs, used in particular to produce electricity and heat;
• Liquid biomass: this includes, for example, vegetable oils and bioalcohols intended for the transport sector;
• Gaseous biomass: this is obtained through the degradation of organic matter without oxygen, a process also known as methanisation.

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What are the advantages and disadvantages of biomass?

Advantages

• As a renewable energy source, biomass contributes to the fight against greenhouse gas emissions, since the CO₂ released during the combustion of bioenergy is offset by the CO₂ reabsorbed by plants during their growth. It is therefore a CO₂-neutral energy source.
• In addition to its favourable carbon footprint, biomass supports short supply chains and local sourcing, reducing energy dependency. If the supply of organic matter is well managed, it is virtually inexhaustible.
• The valorisation of biomass also creates an economic outlet for many sectors, such as agriculture, forestry, and catering, which can sell their wood, agricultural waste, or food waste. Biomass therefore contributes to a circular economy.
• Furthermore, biomass is both a flexible and versatile energy source. What does that mean? On one hand, it is easily storable in solid (pellets, logs), liquid (biofuels), or gaseous (biogas) form. On the other hand, it can produce heat, electricity, or fuels (bioethanol, biodiesel, biogas), at a domestic, industrial, or territorial scale.

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Disadvantages

• Critics of biomass point out that it exploits a limited resource. If forests are over-exploited, this can lead to deforestation and ecosystem degradation.
• Furthermore, the combustion of biomass emits fine particles, which can, at a local level, harm air quality. To mitigate this risk of air pollution, it is essential to properly maintain biomass installations.

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Like many technologies, biomass has both its advocates and its critics. The key is simply to find the right balance between exploiting and preserving natural resources. To minimise the negative impacts and maximise the positive ones, biomass must be managed in a responsible manner. It is a renewable energy source that complements others within the French energy mix.

On our responsible investment platform dedicated to financing projects in support of the ecological and energy transition, you can find projects dedicated to biomass. Browse our investment catalogue to discover them in greater detail.

Of course, if you need any further information, our Investor Relations team is at your disposal. Feel free to contact them by email ([email protected]) or by phone at 04 11 93 41 11. You can also book an appointment online.