Energy production from biomass and its relevance to urban planning and compatibility assessment: two applicative cases in Italy

While the demand for energy in Italy continues to increase, the European Union Directive 2009/28/EC has set a goal of obtaining 20 % of all energy from renewable sources by 2020. It is required both for efficient energy utilization and the development of renewable energy plants, including biomass. In this context, we consider the use of residues from forest maintenance, residues from livestock, the use of energy crops, the recovery of food waste, and the residuals from agro-industrial activities. At the same time, it is necessary to consider the consequent environmental impact. In this study, we applied these considerations to two specific areas in Italy, with different characteristics using the tool of environmental balance. This approach presents a substantial innovation for performing a quantitative analysis of the environmental impact. The specific-considered cases can also indicate a general methodology, useful for energy production compatibility planning.