Title:
Planning Future Biomass to Energy Facilities on a GIS Offer/Demand Basis: a Study for Tuscany, Italy
Author(s):
Nibbi, L., Tirinnanzi, A., Sacchelli, S., Ciampi, C., Fagarazzi, C.
Document(s):
Paper
Abstract:
In Tuscany, the use of biomass as energy source is not a new issue. Firewood is a common energy vector in rural areas where it is used since it is strongly competitive in price in comparison with locally available fossil fuels. Furthermore, in the most recent years an exponential growth of biomass heating district and cogeneration plants took place. For these reasons, a proper planning of local investments in district heating and cogeneration plants is strictly necessary, supporting local authorities in planning investments in the biomass to energy chain, first of all by correctly evaluating the biomass supply actually available. The Green Energy Model (GEM) has been developed in order to assess biomass availability. Both the ecologically sustainable production and economically sustainable production are available; the methodology also analyses the potential heat energy demand. Matching offer with demand allows pointing out the most suitable areas where to install new biomass energy district heating plants, thus. At the same time, six biomass district heating plants have been monitored in Tuscany, starting at the beginning of the 2010 winter season and ending in spring 2012, thus including about two winter seasons, with particular attention devoted to monitor quality, characteristics and provenience of the wood chip fuel. Monitoring results is allowing the definition of new governance policies and actions by the local authorities.
Keywords:
demand, geographical information system (GIS), production, monitoring
Topic:
Biomass Resources
Subtopic:
Biomass potentials and biomass mobilisation
Event:
20th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
1AO.3.3
Pages:
14 - 18
ISBN:
978-88-89407-54-7
Paper DOI:
10.5071/20thEUBCE2012-1AO.3.3
Price:
FREE
