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.
Highlights
Technologies to obtain renewable energy are increasingly contributing to the world’s energy portfolio
These policies mainly address two overall objectives: reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) to meet the targets established at the Paris Conference of Parties 21 (CoP21), and decrease dependence on fossil fuels in EU member countries (EU27) [2]
To provide quantitative information on the extent of specific GHG emissions deriving from the energy use of biomass, the RED II Directive states the values of avoided CO2 thanks to the use of wood biomass, compared to the same amount of fossil fuel energy
Summary
Technologies to obtain renewable energy are increasingly contributing to the world’s energy portfolio. The Directive 2009/28/EC [4] on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources With the entry into force of the Directive (EU) 2018/2001 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources (RED II) [5], an extended framework has been established towards the target of at least 32% renewable energy in the gross final. Bioenergy aligns with the climate neutral energy especially in the heating and transport sectors. Figure hydroelectric is the exploited source of renewable while biogas is major to. In terms installed power,power, Italian Italian solid biomass plants plants could biogas is the thecontributor major contributor contributor to bioenergy.
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