Estimation of Agricultural Biomass Residues for Renewable Energy in Italy

This study investigates the potential of agricultural biomass residues in Italy as a sustainable energy resource within the context of the country’s renewable energy transition. Given the urgency to diversify energy sources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, agricultural residues offer a substantial yet underutilised resource for bioenergy. This research provides a detailed provincial assessment of biomass residues from key crops, including wheat, corn, olives, and grapes, offering valuable insights for the development of region-specific policies that align with the European Green Deal and Italy’s sustainability commitments. Current literature underscores the strategic potential of agricultural residues for renewable energy, particularly in enhancing rural economies and promoting circularity. However, detailed, localised assessments of biomass availability remain scarce. This study addresses this gap by applying a provincial-level analysis across Italy, incorporating ISTAT data spanning from 2013 to 2023. The methodology employs a dual approach to estimating biomass availability, using residue-to-product ratios and equations, ensuring precision in diverse agricultural contexts. Further, the study integrates moisture content and availability factors to account for losses during collection, transportation, and storage, yielding realistic projections of accessible biomass. Lower Heating Values specific to each crop residue are applied to quantify energy potential, providing an estimate of each crop’s contribution to Italy’s renewable energy portfolio. The results reveal significant regional variability in biomass residue production across Italy. Northern regions, particularly the Po Valley, exhibit high residue availability due to extensive cereal cultivation, positioning them as key areas for large-scale biomass facilities. Conversely, southern provinces like Foggia and Bari show substantial residue production from high-residue crops like durum wheat and olives. The study’s findings highlight the need for a decentralised biomass infrastructure tailored to regional agricultural outputs. This decentralised approach could optimise resource use, reduce transmission losses, and strengthen rural economies. Policy recommendations emphasise the potential of incorporating agricultural residue management into Italy’s national energy and environmental policies to promote a circular economy, and the importance of region-specific frameworks. To ensure a steady biomass supply, policy measures should also align bioenergy production with the agricultural calendar and encourage storage facilities and efficient logistics that synchronise residue collection with harvest periods, providing a stable fuel supply year-round.