With the energy crisis growing worse,the development of renewable clean energy as alternative for fossil energy has been a major focus in scientific research.Fuel ethanol is one alternative energy source that has great potential.Fermentation of biomass-derived syngas into fuel ethanol is a new technology.In this article,advantages of the technology,the current situation of biomass gasification,microorganism of fermenting biomass-derived syngas into ethanol,the basic process and metabolic mechanism of the fermentation and industrialization are reviewed.The potential problems and suggestion in this area are also proposed.