Analysis of woody biomass obtainable from abruzzo forests

Biomass has a strategic role in Italian politics of renewable energy. Among biomass, a major role is covered by wood products. In a Region with a significant presence of forests as Abruzzo, woody biomass could be able to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels and at the same time to reduce CO2 emissions. This paper analyzes the surfaces and volumes of each of the forest types present within the regional area (by major categories of inventory to the forest categories), in order to quantify the wood biomass obtainable from forest stands of Abruzzo, and the percentage of them to be allocated to energy purposes. This taking into account all the constraints related to environmental and Natural Parks found in the region. A energy comparison was performed between the wood chips (mixed between the forest species) and diesel fuel, in order to demonstrate the advantages attainable with the use of biomass with particular reference to the environmental point of view.