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Biomass Residues to Renewable Energy: A Life Cycle Perspective Applied at a Local Scale

Author

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  • Esmeralda Neri

    (Department of Industrial Chemistry “Toso Montanari”, ALMA Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Viale del Risorgimento 4, 40136 Bologna, Italy)

  • Daniele Cespi

    (Department of Industrial Chemistry “Toso Montanari”, ALMA Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Viale del Risorgimento 4, 40136 Bologna, Italy
    Environmental management and consulting (EMC) Innovation Lab S.r.l., Viale Italia 29, 47921 Rimini, Italy)

  • Leonardo Setti

    (Department of Industrial Chemistry “Toso Montanari”, ALMA Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Viale del Risorgimento 4, 40136 Bologna, Italy
    Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca Industriale “Energia e Ambiente”, Via Angherà 22, 47900 Rimini, Italy)

  • Erica Gombi

    (Consorzio Azienda Multiservizi Intercomunale (Con.Ami), 40026 Imola, Italy)

  • Elena Bernardi

    (Department of Industrial Chemistry “Toso Montanari”, ALMA Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Viale del Risorgimento 4, 40136 Bologna, Italy
    Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca Industriale “Energia e Ambiente”, Via Angherà 22, 47900 Rimini, Italy)

  • Ivano Vassura

    (Department of Industrial Chemistry “Toso Montanari”, ALMA Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Viale del Risorgimento 4, 40136 Bologna, Italy
    Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca Industriale “Energia e Ambiente”, Via Angherà 22, 47900 Rimini, Italy)

  • Fabrizio Passarini

    (Department of Industrial Chemistry “Toso Montanari”, ALMA Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Viale del Risorgimento 4, 40136 Bologna, Italy
    Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca Industriale “Energia e Ambiente”, Via Angherà 22, 47900 Rimini, Italy)

Abstract

Italy, like every country member of the European Union (EU), will have to achieve the objectives required by the Energy Roadmap 2050. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the environmental impacts of residue recovery arising from the management of public and private green feedstocks, activity of the cooperative “Green City” in the Bologna district, and usage in a centralized heating system to produce thermal energy for public buildings. Results, obtained using the ReCipe impact assessment method, are compared with scores achieved by a traditional methane boiler. The study shows some advantages of the biomass-based system in terms of greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions and consumption of non-renewable fuels, which affect climate change (−41%) and fossil resources depletion (−40%), compared to the use of natural gas (NG). Moreover, scores from network analysis denote the great contribution of feedstock transportation (98% of the cumulative impact). The main reason is attributable to all requirements to cover distances, in particular due to stages involved in the fuel supply chains. Therefore, it is clear that greater environmental benefits could be achieved by reducing supply transport distances or using more sustainable engines.

Suggested Citation

  • Esmeralda Neri & Daniele Cespi & Leonardo Setti & Erica Gombi & Elena Bernardi & Ivano Vassura & Fabrizio Passarini, 2016. "Biomass Residues to Renewable Energy: A Life Cycle Perspective Applied at a Local Scale," Energies, MDPI, vol. 9(11), pages 1-15, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:9:y:2016:i:11:p:922-:d:82418
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    14. Shahjadi Hisan Farjana & Olubukola Tokede & Mahmud Ashraf, 2023. "Environmental Impact Assessment of Waste Wood-to-Energy Recovery in Australia," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-22, May.
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    16. Effrosyni Giama & Elli Kyriaki & Athanasios Papaevaggelou & Agis Papadopoulos, 2023. "Energy and Environmental Analysis of Renewable Energy Systems Focused on Biomass Technologies for Residential Applications: The Life Cycle Energy Analysis Approach," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-22, May.
    17. Lajili, M. & Guizani, C. & Escudero Sanz, F.J. & Jeguirim, M., 2018. "Fast pyrolysis and steam gasification of pellets prepared from olive oil mill residues," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 61-68.
    18. Víctor M. Soltero & Ricardo Chacartegui & Carlos Ortiz & Gonzalo Quirosa, 2018. "Techno-Economic Analysis of Rural 4th Generation Biomass District Heating," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-20, November.
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    20. Arkadiusz Dyjakon, 2018. "Harvesting and Baling of Pruned Biomass in Apple Orchards for Energy Production," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-14, June.

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