Valorizzazione energetica dei residui vitivinicoli: scenari di fattibilità tecnica ed economica

The objective of this paper is to verify the technical and economic feasibility of energy production by residues of vine-wine industry in an Italian region. Through analysis of geographical distribution, at province level, of vineyard and winery we proceeded to identify of location and availability of raw material resulting by vine and wine structures of Emilia Romagna Region. Then, we are hypothesized achievement of an agro-energy chain and consequently production process size, logistic network and on operating cost and transportation. Analysis provides definition of three alternative scenarios. Each scenario is characterized by different size of energy conversion plant and consequently by transport network. Logistic network modeling is realized consistently to information of number of plants and location of vine and wine structures around of regional territory. According to the considered technical parameters hypothesized scenarios are three (plan of 400 Kwe, 1000 Kwe and 2000 Kwe) identified according to plant size and availability of raw materials taking into account the distance of 70 Km of supplying to obtain the recognized incentive. Determined collect and chipping cost of pruning (about 70 €/ton) and indentified marc cost in Emilia Romagna region (about 20 €/ton), that represent raw material cost for energy process, we are proceeded to define operation cost related to energy conversion and financial assessment of investment. Economic analysis was carried out assessing costs of each plant of for each scenario along all chain, included storage and transport costs of byproduct, other than collect raw material. Revenues consist of two different items: one for selling electric energy and heat and the other for state incentive. Given the availability and location of raw material on regional territory results show a medium-big plant configuration over 2000 Kwe.