Title:
Local Biomass Utilization for Heat and Electricity Production. A Case Study of Two Alpine Valleys in the North of Italy (Valcamonica and Valtellina)
Author(s):
Casarotti, D.
Document(s):
Paper
Abstract:
The results of two years of activities focused on the study of local biomass availability and its utilization for heat and electricity generation, in two Alpine valleys in Northern Italy are presented and discussed. The project has been developed in two of the largest Italian Alpine valleys: Valcamonica and Valtellina. The investigated area (about 4500 Km2 ) mainly mountainous, is covered with mixed forests of fir and larch and broadleaf trees from lower altitudes. A number of woods sawmills and woodworking industries are operating in this area. To evaluate the global biomass availability in the short chain (in an area of 70 km radius) an examination of the local forest production, agriculture and wood industry by products availability has been done. The aim of the investigation is to check the spread of biomass power plants (biomassfired power plants for electricity generation, plants for heat generation only, and plants for combined heat and power), their power, the different types of biomass consumed, the global biomass availability as well as an economic and environmental assessment. Advantages and disadvantages of the use of biomass instead of conventional fuel are examined, also taking into account the economic incentives given by the Government for the production of energy from renewable sources.
Keywords:
anaerobic digestion, combined heat and power generation (CHP), wood-coppice, high forest
Topic:
Biomass Resources
Subtopic:
Biomass potentials and cost of resources
Event:
19th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
VP1.1.2
Pages:
340 - 344
ISBN-13:
978-88-89407-55-4
ISBN-10:
88-89407-55-7
Paper DOI:
10.5071/19thEUBCE2011-VP1.1.2
Price:
FREE
