In order for this resource to be fully capitalized upon, biomass energy must be used on a larger basis, such as powering entire cities. Another method used to generate electricity from biomass is a process known as gasification. Gasification is a new method of producing electricity in which the energy in solid biomass is converted to a combustible gas, which is then burned to create electricity. This technology is still under development and, therefore, not yet commercially available. Just as electricity can be produced from biomass, so can the gas ethanol.
Ethanol is an alcohol commonly used in automobiles as a gasoline replacement.
This production takes place by converting the starch content of organic materials like corn potatoes, sugarcane, etc., into alcohol. This fermentation process is essentially the same as the process used to turn organic grapes into wine. This is not the only process of producing ethanol with biomass. Future technologies offer the opportunity to produce ethanol from the simple sugars of the feedstocks of trees and agricultural wastes. Again, this process is not yet commercially available, but is mentioned to highlight potential future uses of biomass technologies.