Using tree crop pruning residues for energy purposes: A spatial analysis and an evaluation of the economic and environmental sustainability

Torquati, Biancamaria; Marino, Daniela; Venanzi, Sonia; Porceddu, Pier Riccardo; Chiorri, Massimo

doi:10.1016/j.biombioe.2016.09.017

Cited by 26 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…wherein these countries olive oil production has represented an export-oriented industrial activity for at least two millennia [1]. Considering the large amount of pruning residues that derive from olive groves' maintenance, these could be important sources of biomass, akin to pruning residues from other crops [2][3][4][5][6][7]. However, until now, the management of pruning residue has generally represented a disposal problem rather than an opportunity for additional revenue, even if its potential has already been stated [8][9][10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Machine Performance and Hog Fuel Quality Evaluation in Olive Tree Pruning Harvesting Conducted Using a Towed Shredder on Flat and Hilly Fields

et al. 2020

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Pruning residues from olive groves represent an important biomass source. Until now, the management of pruning residue has generally represented a disposal problem rather than an opportunity for additional revenue. The main problem is the lack of a well-organized pruning biomass supply chain. In particular, harvesting is a key stage that influences the product quality, the type of logistics chain, and the economic sustainability of the pruning supply chain. The aim of the present paper was the evaluation of the machine performance of the Facma Comby TR200 towed shredder. The harvesting tests took place in Agios Konstantinos, Fthiotida, Central Greece. Two different experimental fields were used for the evaluation of this harvesting system; these fields were characterized by different slopes to check the convenience of using such a towed shredder on both hilly slopes and flat terrains. Analysis was conducted focusing on both the work productivity and costs. Moreover, an evaluation of the obtained hog fuel quality was performed. The Facma Comby TR200 showed good work performances on both flat (2.60 tdm·h−1) and hilly (2.74 tdm·h−1) land, even if a consistent influence of the pruning biomass yield on the work performances was reported. The biomass quality could be consistently improved by modifying the pick-up systems to avoid the collection of inert materials (soil and rocks). In fact, the analysis showed a high ash content in the comminuted material (4% dry basis). Finally, the economic aspects of this study’s results were in line with those reported in the literature. The applied harvesting system showed a cost equal to 29.88 and 16.59 €·tfm−1 on flat and hilly land, respectively.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Machine Performance and Hog Fuel Quality Evaluation in Olive Tree Pruning Harvesting Conducted Using a Towed Shredder on Flat and Hilly Fields

et al. 2020

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“…At farm level, instead, some authors [15] evaluated if the use of agricultural residues may be an economic opportunity for farms and showed that using pruning residues for power production in an area where plots are scattered is not economically feasible. The scatter spatial distribution of agricultural residues plays an important role in the costs determination.…”

Section: The Economic Aspectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the literature, there are no studies assessing the economic and environmental sustainability of biomass power plants fueled with pruning residues based on real cases, while there are several studies that highlight the sustainability of pruning biomass for electricity production of hypothetical biomass plants [15]. Recently, in [16], the techno-economic and environmental viability of electricity generation using pruning biomass in nine different territories in Greece is investigated, highlighting a multiple potential benefit obtainable with new biomass plants by means of reducing fossil fuels use, providing new income opportunities and by achieving a low CO 2 power generation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Similarly, other authors [15] evaluated if the use of residues from vineyards and olive groves may represent an economic opportunity for agricultural farms in 4 municipalities of Umbria region (central Italy) and if it contributes to reducing CO 2 emissions into the atmosphere. In particular, [15] showed that using pruning residues for power production in an area where plots are scattered and fragmented is not economically feasible, because of high supply costs, notably biomass transport and transfer costs. Nevertheless, [15] showed that the agro-energy chain proved to be sustainable from an environmental point of view for avoiding the emissions by pruning disposal.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In particular, [15] showed that using pruning residues for power production in an area where plots are scattered and fragmented is not economically feasible, because of high supply costs, notably biomass transport and transfer costs. Nevertheless, [15] showed that the agro-energy chain proved to be sustainable from an environmental point of view for avoiding the emissions by pruning disposal.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Circular Economy Model: Insights from a Case Study in South Italy

Palmieri¹,

Suardi²,

Alfano³

et al. 2020

Sustainability

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This study aims 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 profitability and efficiency ratios are 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. To put together the environmental and economic evaluations, 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 both a good return on owner’s equity (ROE) ratio (15.89% and 31.48%, respectively) and ROI ratio (4.34% and 6.14% respectively). Moreover, 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.

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