Kiwi Clear?Cut: First Evaluation of Recovered Biomass for Energy Production

Marco Manzone, Fabrizio Gioelli and Paolo Balsari
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Marco Manzone: Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, University of Torino, Largo Paolo Braccini, 2, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy
Fabrizio Gioelli: Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, University of Torino, Largo Paolo Braccini, 2, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy
Paolo Balsari: Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, University of Torino, Largo Paolo Braccini, 2, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy

Energies, 2017, vol. 10, issue 11, 1-12

Abstract: Among the various types of agricultural waste, significant amounts of energy can be obtained from woodchips derived from comminuted pruning residues. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of using kiwi orchard clear-cut biomass for energy production. The field trial was conducted in a commercial kiwi ( Actinidia chinensis ) orchard located in Northwest Italy. We evaluated the biomass yield, woodchip quality, energy consumption, and economic sustainability of this practice. Processed data determined the available biomass to be 20.6 tonnes dry matter ha ? 1 . Woodchip analysis showed a biomass moisture content of 53% and a relatively low heating value of about 7.5 MJ·kg ? 1 . Furthermore, the average ash content was 2.4%. Production cost was 99.6 €·t ? 1 dry matter, which was slightly less than the market price of 100 €·t ? 1 dry matter for woodchips. In summary, kiwi clear-cut recovered biomass may be a valid alternative biomass source.

Keywords: kiwi clear-cut; biomass production; woodchip quality; energy; production cost (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: 2017
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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