Abstract
The exploitation of bioenergy plays a key role in the process of decarbonising the economic system. Huge efforts have been made to develop bioenergy and other renewable energy systems, but it is necessary to investigate the costs and problems associated with these technologies. Soil consumption and, in particular, soil sealing are some of these aspects that should be carefully evaluated. Agricultural biogas plants (ABPs) often remove areas dedicated to agricultural activities and require broad paved areas for the associated facilities. This study aimed to (i) assess the surfaces destined to become facilities and buildings in ABPs, (ii) correlate these surfaces with each other and to the installed powers of the plants, and (iii) estimate the consumption of soil in bioenergy applications in Italy. Two hundred ABPs were sampled from an overall population of 1939, and the extents of the facilities were measured by aerial and satellite observations. An ABP with an installed power of 1000 kW covers an average surface area of up to 23,576 m2. Most of this surface, 97.9%, is obtained from previously cultivated areas. The ABP analysis proved that 24.7 m2 of surface area produces 1 kW of power by bioenergy. The obtained model estimated a total consumption of soil by ABPs in Italy of 31,761,235 m2. This research can support stakeholders in cost-benefit analyses to design energy systems based on renewable energy sources.
Highlights
Bioenergy is one of the most commonly used forms of renewable energy [1] because of both the wide range of suitable biomasses and the ease of energy production and storage [2,3]
In 16 cases were new roads 3.2a. sApnhaalyltseids offrPoumncstcuraaltTcrhe;nadlsl the other systems were installed in accessible areas thTanhkesretosuelxtsisotifntgheropaudnsc.tual trend analysis and its statistical significance inferred from the sample data analysed for Italian Agricultural biogas plants (ABPs) are reported and discussed
In 33 plants did the area dedicated to the storage surface exceed 30% of the overall surface area, and in 11 cases, the storage surface area was less than 10% of the total covered area
Summary
Bioenergy is one of the most commonly used forms of renewable energy [1] because of both the wide range of suitable biomasses and the ease of energy production and storage [2,3]. Agricultural activities play a key role in developing and managing bioenergy systems [10] This sector can be an integral part of rural community economies and of agricultural processes [11]. The advantages of the treatment of livestock effluents in digesters should be considered; the digestate is a stable product for nitrogen removal and can be used as a fertilizer in agronomic activities [18]. Together with these opportunities, some issues must be carefully considered. One of the most important problems is the competition between the energy and food destinations of crops [20]
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