One of the strengths of the IEA, ''Biotechnology for the conversion of lignocellulosics network has been the active participation of different groups with expertise in each of the multi-component steps that constitute a probable biomass-to-ethanol process. In the last three years the complexity and interdependency of the various process steps directed many of the groups to provide information for the development of more accurate technoeconomic models. Before a technoeconomic model could be developed, the key equipment and process steps had to be defined. The various biomass feedstocks that have been proposed by members of the network indicated that a ''generic'' process had to be designed that could accommodate the needs and priorities of the different groups. To try to increase the simplicity and accuracy of the model it was assumed that some of the components or processes of an integrated wood-to-ethanol process can be purchased or used from related plants or manufacturers. For example, cellulase enzymes are now sold in large quantities for textile, food, detergent and pulp applications and therefore would not necessarily have to be produced on-site at a bioconversion facility. In this paper we have defined the major equipment/steps of a ''generic'' wood-to-ethanol process. This will be used as the basis of a more refined technoeconomic model which will be developed to assess how variations in feedstock, advances in technology and local energy cost, etc., influenced the final cost of producing ethanol.