Relevance of Domestic Uses of Biomass in Alpine Areas: New Methodology and First Results

In the area under examination the sustainable local production of biomasses covers only a small share of the entire demand. The local sustainable production of wood log, approximately 51 ktoe, covers almost 15% of the total wood log demand, with a maximum potential production of 117 ktoe (34% of the total demand). The local production of pellet (8,5 ktoe) supplies up to 10% of current demand. The wood chips forestry production (68 ktoe with a maximum potential of 142 ktoe) currently covers the total demand of the whole sector, equal to 48 ktoe (residential: 7 ktoe; industrial: 38 ktoe; tertiary needs 3 ktoe). The significant use of pellet and the high demand of wood logs that emerge from this study point out that Province of Turin and Cuneo Administrations need to define specific energy policies.