Title:
An Italian Circular Economy Model
Author(s):
Palmieri, N., Suardi, A., Pari, R., Alfano, V., Bergonzoli, S., Lazar, S.
Document(s):
Paper
Poster
Abstract:
The study aimed to analyze the economic and environmental sustainability of a case study of an energy power plant that produces electricity from pruning residues of olive groves from nine municipalities in southern Italy. To assess the economic sustainability of the agro-energetic chain, the gross value added (GVA) is calculated. Moreover, the GHG emissions of the agro-energetic pruning supply chain due to both the pruning collection at the field level, and their combustion for energy production at the power plant, are calculated. Moreover, the ecoefficiency ratio was calculated to measure the value added per 1Mg of GHG emitted into the atmosphere. The findings show the whole agro-energetic chain, namely the power plant and the collection company have a good eco-efficiency ratio. In fact, the power plant’s ecoefficiency ratio (2.64€ per 1Mg of GHG) is slightly lower than harvest firm one (2.91€ per 1Mg of GHG). The findings could be useful to develop new business models based on the circular economy concept. In fact, the business model proposed could push entrepreneurs towards new income opportunities, at the same time, helping local farms and reducing the environmental impacts.
Keywords:
circular economy, new business model, ecoefficiency ratio, pruning biomass
Topic:
Sustainable Bioeconomy: Impacts and Policies
Subtopic:
Resource Efficient Bioeconomy
Event:
29th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
4BV.9.5
Pages:
1262 - 1264
ISBN:
978-88-89407-21-9
Paper DOI:
10.5071/29thEUBCE2021-4BV.9.5
Price:
FREE
