Abstract
This work analyses and discusses data on thermochemical plants in Southern Italy that are fed with solid biomass. The analysis takes into account the biomass availability and potential together with the cost-benefit analysis using technology development and economic indicators (LCOE). A total of 63,762 units have been categorised according to the employed technology and produced energy: power plants for electricity production or cogeneration plants for combined heat and electricity production (53 plants) and thermal units for heat production (63,709 units). The eight regions of the area have noteworthy differences. In terms of electricity generated from solid biomass Calabria is by far the largest producer, followed by Apulia. Sicily, Sardinia and Molise provide lower amounts while Abruzzo, Basilicata and Campania generate almost negligible amounts. Regarding thermal production, Campania and Calabria are the largest producers, but Basilicata, Molise and Abruzzo generate the highest amount per capita. The area is far from fully exploiting its biomass potential, and there are also no district heating grids. Bioenergy can be remarkably competitive, provided that capital costs are relatively low and low-cost biomass is available, as it is the case of Italy. New applications and markets for sub-products (i.e., char, ash) would help in lowering the still not competitive economic indicators (LCOE).
Highlights
Promoting renewable energy is a top priority in the policy agenda of the EuropeanUnion (EU) [1]
The final aim is to reduce the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions so as to fulfil the targets defined at the Paris Conference of Parties 21 (CoP21), and to decrease the dependence on fossil fuels imported from abroad in the 27 EU countries (EU27) [2]
In terms of energy from solid biomass, southern regions show both positive and negative aspects; all of them produce it to different extents, but no district heating (DH) plants are present, in contrast with the highly developed technology located in the North [11]
Summary
Promoting renewable energy is a top priority in the policy agenda of the European. Union (EU) [1]. In terms of energy from solid biomass, southern regions show both positive and negative aspects; all of them produce it to different extents, but no district heating (DH) plants are present, in contrast with the highly developed technology located in the North [11]. A potentiality of 37.6 TWh from waste through efficient district heating could be obtained In this perspective, the aim of this work is to characterise and analyse the current state of the art of energy generation from solid biomass through thermochemical technologies in the Italian southern area. The dynamic databank started in our previous work [11] is updated by including the most representative power plants of the Southern Italy regions
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
