Most bioenergy ideas and businesses use combinations of different conversion processes and then come up with a cool name for it that get attention (marketable). When someone tells you about a bioenergy conversion process you need to be able to identify the basic parts. There are generally only 4 basic possibilities; Thermal Conversions, Chemical Conversions, Biological Conversions, and Mechanical Conversions. Almost every known bioenergy process will fall into one or more of these categories. In studying bioenergy it is important to develop a basic understanding that allows you evaluate bioenergy news and developments.