Environmental Commodities Glossary
US-REC Fuel Type Guide
- Biomass Liquid: A renewable fuel that is produced from biomass that has been converted into a liquid form. This can be done through a variety of processes, such as fermentation, pyrolysis, and gasification.
- Biomass Solid: A renewable fuel that is produced from biomass that has not been converted into a liquid form. This can include wood, agricultural waste, and municipal solid waste.
Solar
Energy from the sun that is converted into electricity or heat.
Wind
Energy from wind that is converted into electricity.
Hydro-electric
Energy from moving water that is converted into electricity.
Marine and Hydrokinetic (MHK)
MHK is a broad term that encompasses a variety of renewable energy technologies that use the movement of water to generate electricity. This includes technologies such as wave energy, tidal energy, and ocean thermal energy conversion.
Geothermal
Energy from the Earth’s heat that is converted into electricity or heat.
Biogas
Gas produced by the breakdown of organic matter in the absence of oxygen. Biogas can be used to produce heat, electricity, or vehicle fuel.
Biomass
Biomass is organic matter that can be burned to produce heat or electricity. Biomass can be from plants, animals, or waste products.
