Maize is an example of a biomass that also has energetic applications. (Source: © kyrychukvitaliy / stock.adobe.com)

Matter of biological origin, whether plant or animal. In an ecological sense, it includes all living organisms. For energy purposes, biomass is defined as matter of organic origin that comes from plants or animals. Although fossil fuels also come from living organisms, they are not considered biomass. Examples of biomass are wood, grass, banana peels, horse manure or peanuts. Biomass stores the energy of the sun, which has been processed by plants during the photosynthesis, and can be released by chemical processes such as combustion.