In general, biomass-to-energy conversions technologies have to deal with a feedstock that can be highly variable in mass & energy density, size, moisture content & intermittent supply. Therefore, modern industrial technology is often hybrid fossil-fuel/biomass technologies that use fossil fuels for drying, preheating, & maintaining fuel supply when the biomass supply is interrupted.
It can also convert into other forms that are beneficial, such as methane gas and transportation fuels such as biodiesel & ethanol. Methanes gas is an important component of biogas & is obtained from agricultural waste, garbage, and other organic waste, which is decomposed in specially designed digesters. It can also be obtained from landfills.
When crops such as sugarcane or corn are fermented, they create a fuel commonly known as ethanol that is useful for vehicles. When vegetable oils and animal fats are decomposed, biodiesel is obtained, which is commonly used as a transportation fuel. Biomass is considered the building block of biofuels.