ABSTRACT

Biomass, primarily from wood, was the major source of energy in the world, and even bioenergy provides around 12% of energy consumption for the world. The technology roadmap for heat and power forecasts bio-energy at 150 exajoules (EJ) in 2050, with 100 EJ of that for heat and power. The higher heating value is the amount of heat released and combustion products are returned to 25°C, which includes the latent heat of vaporization of water. Municipal solid waste, landfill gas, and biogas can be used for heat and power and for the production of biofuels. In rural areas of Afghanistan, dung is used for heating and cooking and exacerbates one of the world’s highest rates of tuberculosis for women. Rural and even urban poor spend a major share of their income on biomass for cooking and heating, from 50% to 90%.