Lignocellulosic Residues from Fruit Trees: Availability, Characterization, and Energetic Potential Valorization

Gianluca Cavalaglio, Giacomo Fabbrizi (), Filippo Cardelli, Leonardo Lorenzi, Mariarosaria Angrisano and Andrea Nicolini
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Gianluca Cavalaglio: Department of Engineering, Pegaso Telematic University, 80143 Naples, Italy
Giacomo Fabbrizi: CIRIAF-CRB (Biomass Research Centre), Department of Engineering, Università degli Studi di Perugia, via G. Duranti, 67, 06125 Perugia, Italy
Filippo Cardelli: CIRIAF-CRB (Biomass Research Centre), Department of Engineering, Università degli Studi di Perugia, via G. Duranti, 67, 06125 Perugia, Italy
Leonardo Lorenzi: CIRIAF-CRB (Biomass Research Centre), Department of Engineering, Università degli Studi di Perugia, via G. Duranti, 67, 06125 Perugia, Italy
Mariarosaria Angrisano: Department of Engineering, Pegaso Telematic University, 80143 Naples, Italy
Andrea Nicolini: CIRIAF-CRB (Biomass Research Centre), Department of Engineering, Università degli Studi di Perugia, via G. Duranti, 67, 06125 Perugia, Italy

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 11, 1-14

Abstract: Reducing the carbon footprint of energy production is one of the most pressing challenges facing humanity today. Lignocellulosic biomass residues from fruit production industries show promise as a viable energy source. This paper presents a study of the Italian context concerning the utilization of orchard lignocellulosic residues for energy production as electricity or bioethanol. The potential of various orchard residues was assessed through chemical and physical analyses, and an equivalent electrical energy of about 6441.62 GWh or an amount of 0.48 Mt/y of bioethanol was obtained based on the average annual dry residue mass availability of about 3.04 Mt/y. These data represent 9.30% of the national electrical energy production from renewable sources, as well as 6.21% of the Italian demand for gasoline in 2022. Electricity generation from these residues has shown its potential as a reliable and sustainable baseload power source, as well as a source of renewable transportation fuel. The studied process could be a valuable reference to expand these concepts on a global scale to achieve a greener and more sustainable energy future.

Keywords: biofuels; bioenergy; agricultural orchards residues; bio-based economy; fruit production estimates; allocated lands (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: 2024
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