Abstract
The burning of a huge amount of nonrenewable fossil fuel has unfavorable consequences on the environment, climate, and living beings. The application of renewable bioenergy resources is considered an eco-friendly and sustainable substitute for fossil fuels. Biomass as a renewable resource has gained tremendous attention due to its potential to produce bioenergy in the form of solid, liquid, and gaseous fuels for running internal combustion engines in transportation, industries, and heat and electricity generation. This review critically examines the potential of biomass resources, scope, and technological advances in converting biomass to bioenergy. It also discusses the challenges, opportunities, energy policies, and prospects of biomass conversion to bioenergy within global and Indian contexts. Currently, several novel physical, chemical, and biological routes are used to produce renewable bioenergy. In India, crop biomass availability is estimated at around 500 million metric tons per year and can produce energy equivalent to 18,000 megawatts. It shows a bright future in energy production in India if adequately used.