Title:
Economic Evaluation of Forest Biomass Production: A Scenario Assessment Based on Spatial Analysis Tool
Author(s):
Sacchelli, S., Bernetti, I.
Document(s):
Paper
Abstract:
In this work a spatial analysis tool able to support decision-making processes related to agroenergy planning, was developed. The Decision Support (DS) model depicts total biomass availability from forest areas by the introduction of ecological and economical parameters. Potential trade-off between different forest energy chains was identified through scenario assessment and economic parameters calculation, in particular: i) net revenues of forest processes, ii) break even prices of wood fuels, and iii) price elasticity of bioenergy supply. The relevance of applied methodology is identified both in the analysis of traditional forest processes and in the introduction of innovative working methodologies. The model estimates scenario efficiency, basing on the parameterization of the selling prices of energy products (firewood and woodchips). The methodology gives the opportunity of aggregate results basing on different peculiarities (e.g. administrative level) according to the evaluation scale of the decision process. Results show that the economic evaluation is strongly linked to the selling price of traditional wood products (e.g. firewood). Local features and forest composition influence the convenience of each scenario. The tool is applied for an area of central Italy (Tuscany region).
Keywords:
economic analysis, geographical information system (GIS), wood-energy production, forestry modelling, trade-off scenario
Topic:
Biomass Resources
Subtopic:
Biomass potentials and biomass mobilisation
Event:
20th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
1BO.5.1
Pages:
94 - 98
ISBN:
978-88-89407-54-7
Paper DOI:
10.5071/20thEUBCE2012-1BO.5.1
Price:
FREE
