This document discusses biomass conversion technologies for producing energy from waste. It defines biomass as living or recently living material from plants or animals not used for food or feed. There are three main methods for thermochemical conversion of biomass: combustion, gasification, and pyrolysis. Biochemical conversion methods like anaerobic digestion can produce biogas, which can be converted to power and heat. Specific technologies covered include anaerobic digestion, pyrolysis, transesterification of vegetable oils into biodiesel, and growing energy crops. The document concludes that large-scale biorefineries, improved catalysis technologies, and combined government/industry efforts can help increase the role of biomass in energy production today.