Glossary of Industry Terms

Bagasse:  The fibrous byproduct of sugarcane processing, often used as a biomass fuel or raw material for biofuel production.

Bioenergy:  Energy produced from organic materials, including pellets, that can replace fossil fuels and reduce carbon emissions.

Biofuel Pellets:  Pellets made from various organic materials (including crops and residues) designed for combustion or conversion into biofuels, promoting renewable energy use.

Biomass:  Organic material from plants and animals, used as a source of energy, which can be transformed into pellets for heat and electricity generation.

Byproducts:   Secondary products generated during the production process of primary goods, which can be reused or processed for additional value, often in bioenergy contexts.

Carbon Cycle:  The natural process through which carbon is exchanged among the atmosphere, oceans, soil, and living organisms, playing a crucial role in regulating Earth’s climate.

Carbon Footprint:  The total amount of greenhouse gases emitted directly or indirectly by an individual, organization, or product.

Carbon Neutrality:  Achieving a net zero carbon footprint by balancing emissions with offsets or reductions, often via renewable energy sources like pellets.

Coal:  A fossil fuel formed from decomposed organic matter, used primarily for electricity generation and industrial processes, associated with high greenhouse gas emissions.

Cellulose:  A polysaccharide and the primary structural component of plant cell walls; it serves as an important source of biofuel when converted into glucose and subsequently fermented.

Greenhouse Gases (GHGs):  Gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4), that trap heat in the atmosphere and contribute to global warming.

Hemicellulose:  A group of polysaccharides found in plant cell walls, working alongside cellulose and lignin; it can be hydrolyzed into fermentable sugars for biofuel production.

Lifecycle Assessment (LCA):  A systematic approach to evaluating the environmental impacts of a product throughout its life, from raw material extraction to disposal.

Lignin:  A complex organic polymer found in the cell walls of plants that provides structural support; it can be used as a biofuel or chemical feedstock.

Net Zero:  Achieving a balance between the amount of greenhouse gases emitted and the amount removed from the atmosphere, often a goal for mitigating climate change.

Pellets:  Small, cylindrical fuel products made from compressed organic materials, often derived from wood, agricultural residues, or other biomass.

Renewable Energy:  Energy generated from natural resources that are replenished constantly, including solar, wind, and biomass.

Sustainability:  The ability to maintain ecological and environmental balance, ensuring resources are used responsibly for current and future generations.

Torrefaction:  A thermochemical process that heats biomass in the absence of oxygen to enhance its energy density and combustion characteristics, producing a more efficient fuel.

Wood Pellets:  Compressed particles of wood waste or small logs, commonly used as a biomass fuel for heating and electricity generation, offering a lower carbon alternative to fossil fuels.