Title:
Short Rotation Coppice in Northern Italy: Comprehensive Sustainability
Author(s):
Fiala, M., Bacenetti, J., Scaravonati, A., Bergonzi, A.
Document(s):
Paper
Abstract:
Short Rotation Coppice (SRC), subdivided into SRF – plantation with a short cutting frequency (1 or 2 yrs) and in MRF – plantation with a medium cutting time (5 yrs), takes up about 7,000 hectares, mainly in Lombardy and Veneto Regions; over the years the development of specific poplar clones for biomass and the improvement of cultivation technique have made it possible to obtain remarkable increases in yield. Nevertheless, in bibliography the information concerning this crop is not always clear and unanimous. On the basis of the cultivation technique carried out in Northern Italy, an economic, energetic and Environmental (EEE) evaluation of the poplar MRF field-chain phase has been carried out. Data on a poplar plantation growth in Po Valley area have been considered; mainly: duration 10 years; cutting time 5-years; biomass yield 40 tWB/ha·year (at 55% of moisture content w.b.). In these conditions a ratio between output and input energy of 30 and between GHG absorption and GHG emission of 56 with a production cost of 60 €/tDM was pointed out. Besides the positive energy and environmental balances, even the economical sustainability of MRF, with a gain of 820 €/ha·year, appears interesting.
Keywords:
CO2 balance, energy balance, energy crops, poplar, short rotation forestry (SRF), sustainability
Topic:
Biomass resources
Subtopic:
Availability and cost of biomass resources
Event:
18th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
VP1.1.28
Pages:
342 - 348
ISBN-13:
978-88-89407-56-1
ISBN-10:
88-89407-56-5
Paper DOI:
10.5071/18thEUBCE2010-VP1.1.28
Price:
FREE
