La valorizzazione energetica dei residui colturali arborei: applicazione dell’analisi spaziale e valutazione della sostenibilità economica e ambientale

The use of biomass for energy is one of the promising alternatives identified by the European Union to reduce the greenhouse gases emissions and for the energy supply security. The aim of this research is to analyze the potential production, economic and environmental sustainability of the energy produced from the vineyards and olive orchards pruning at the 4 municipalities of Umbria Region. Geo-spatial, economic and environment analysis have been conducted. The integrated approach was used to estimate the total quantity of biomass produced in that area, identify a logistic network for its transportation and finally based on which a power plant has been suggested. The chain costs and the potential profit margins were also calculated and the resulted CO2 emissions into the atmosphere were also been estimated. The results have shown that the fragmentation and the dispersion of agricultural activities as well as technical and logistical decisions affect noticeably the economical and environmental (both in terms of energy balance and CO2 emissions) sustainability of the proposed agri-energetic chain.