ABSTRACT
Bioenergy is not an energy source in transition, as it is often portrayed, but a resource that is becoming increasingly important as a modern energy carrier. This chapter provides an overview of bioenergy and its potential as the world’s largest source of renewable energy. It examines the role of biomass energy, its potential (traditional versus modern applications and linkages between the two), details the difficulties in compiling information and classifying biomass energy, looks at the barriers to the use of biomass energy and, finally, examines the possible future roles of bioenergy. It is not possible to present a detailed analysis and thus it is strongly recommended that the reader consults the reference section at the end of the chapter.
