Pyrolysis and gasification
Thermo-chemical processes do not necessarily produce useful energy directly. Instead, they use controlled conditions of temperature and oxygen level to convert the original bioenergy feedstock into more convenient energy carriers such as producer gas, oil or methanol. Compared to the original biomass, these energy carriers either have higher energy densities – and lower transport costs – or more predictable and convenient combustion characteristics, allowing them to be used in internal combustion engines and gas turbines.