Commercialisation options for biomass energy technologies in ESCAP countries

Biomass provides the basic energy requirements for cooking and heating in rural households and for processes in a variety of traditional industries in developing countries. In general, biomass energy uses in such cases are characterised by low efficiency. Potentially, efficiency improvements of existing energy systems could increase the energy supply from biomass substantially. Also, wide ranges of biomass energy technologies are now in different stages of development and commercialisation. This paper considers these technologies, which are expected to play a major role in meeting energy demand in the future, as well as policy options for promoting their commercialisation.

Keywords: biomass, combustion, gasification, improved cookstove, densification, biogas, environmental aspect, economics, government policy