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Current Status of Energy Production from Solid Biomass in North-West Italy

Author

Listed:
  • Cristina Moliner

    (Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile, Chimica e Ambientale, Università degli Studi di Genova, 16145 Genova, Italy
    These authors contributed equally to this study.)

  • Filippo Marchelli

    (Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile, Chimica e Ambientale, Università degli Studi di Genova, 16145 Genova, Italy
    Faculty of Science and Technology, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
    These authors contributed equally to this study.)

  • Elisabetta Arato

    (Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile, Chimica e Ambientale, Università degli Studi di Genova, 16145 Genova, Italy
    These authors contributed equally to this study.)

Abstract

Data on the thermochemical plants fed by solid biomass in the north-west area of Italy (Liguria, Lombardy, Piedmont and Aosta Valley) have been organised, analysed and discussed. Moreover, the biomass availability and potential has been evaluated. A total of 28,167 plants have been categorised according to their typology and output: thermo-electric power plants for electricity production, thermal plants for heat production, cogeneration plants for combined heat and electricity production and district heating installations for local heating purposes. In general, separate observations for the different provinces may be drawn. Liguria stands out as the most evident case of under-exploited biomass potential, followed by Aosta Valley, which, however, is rich in hydroelectricity. Lombardy and Piedmont are more virtuous and have several plants in their territory. The construction of new plants and the upgrade of existing ones may bring noteworthy benefits, as well as the use of added value sub-products to foster circular economy approaches.

Suggested Citation

  • Cristina Moliner & Filippo Marchelli & Elisabetta Arato, 2020. "Current Status of Energy Production from Solid Biomass in North-West Italy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-29, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:13:y:2020:i:17:p:4390-:d:404083
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Luiz Fernando Rodrigues Pinto & Henrricco Nieves Pujol Tucci & Giovanni Mummolo & Geraldo Cardoso de Oliveira Neto & Francesco Facchini, 2022. "Circular Economy Approach on Energy Cogeneration in Petroleum Refining," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-15, February.
    2. Cristina Moliner & Elisabetta Arato & Filippo Marchelli, 2021. "Current Status of Energy Production from Solid Biomass in Southern Italy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-21, April.
    3. Filippo Marchelli & Giorgio Rovero & Massimo Curti & Elisabetta Arato & Barbara Bosio & Cristina Moliner, 2021. "An Integrated Approach to Convert Lignocellulosic and Wool Residues into Balanced Fertilisers," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-15, January.

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