The aim of this paper is to highlight various processes for the conversion of biomass into hydrogen gas. Biomass energy has the potential to be "modernized" worldwide, i.e., produced and used efficiently and cost competitively, generally in the more convenient forms of gases, liquids, or electricity. Biomass will play an important role in the future global energy infrastructure for the generation of power and heat, but also for the production of chemicals and fuels. Biomass and biomass-derived fuels are can be used to produce hydrogen sustainably. The methods available for the hydrogen production from biomass can be divided into two main categories: thermochemical and biological routes. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.