7. Glossary

Calorific intake

Sum of all heat sources responsible for heating a building.

Positive energy building (BEPOS)

A building with a positive overall energy balance, i.e. it produces more energy (thermal or electrical) than it consumes.

Biogas

Gas produced by the fermentation of animal or plant organic matter in the absence of oxygen. This fermentation, also known as "methanization", occurs naturally (in marshes) or spontaneously in landfills containing organic waste, but can also be artificially induced in digesters (to treat sewage sludge, industrial or agricultural organic waste, etc.). Biogas contains a high proportion of methane (50-65%) and therefore has a high calorific and energy potential.

Biomass

All plant matter...