On-line measurement of activation energy (Ea) is very important in supporting the thermal conversion process. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the Ea of ground bamboo using near infrared spectroscopy in real time. 80 bamboo samples with different diameters were selected using random sampling. Ea was determined using the Coats-Redfern method, and Ea of reaction order (n) at n = 1 and n not equal 1 was investigated. The performance of on-line measurement predicted by PLS modelling for Ea at n = 1 and Ea at n not equal 1 showed coefficients of determination of 0.781 and 0.714, respectively; standard error of prediction of 5.249 and 6.858 kJ/mol, respectively; and bias values of -1.0628 and -1.871 kJ/mol, respectively. Both PLS models were found to be fair and could be applied toward screening. The results showed that the vibration bands of lignocellulosic components (CH2, hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin) highly influenced model development. Moreover, internal relationships were identified among Ea, the pre-exponential factor (A), and n, such as A (1/min) = 63251 x e(0.2200xEa) (at n = 1), A (1 / min) 33719 x e(0.2267xEa) (at n not equal 1), and n = 0.008 x Ea+0.254. These relationships can be used to evaluate A and n if Ea is known. In the case of this study, Ea was forecasted using an NIR model. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.