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

Cristina Moliner, Filippo Marchelli and Elisabetta Arato
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Cristina Moliner: Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile, Chimica e Ambientale, Università degli Studi di Genova, 16145 Genova, Italy
Filippo Marchelli: Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile, Chimica e Ambientale, Università degli Studi di Genova, 16145 Genova, Italy
Elisabetta Arato: Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile, Chimica e Ambientale, Università degli Studi di Genova, 16145 Genova, Italy

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 17, 1-29

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.

Keywords: biomass-to-energy; district heating; circular economy; renewable energy; north-west Italy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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