Cost-benefit Analysis with GIS: An Open Source Module for the Forest Bioenergy Sector

This paper introduces a novel methodology for the optimal use of forest biomass for energy purposes, by means of GIS procedures. The method allows the identification of the most suitable area for a power plant, starting from the energy demand and the local availability of wood resources. After the site identification, the procedure conducts a cost-benefit analysis, including financial and environmental flows. The described methodology has been automatized in GRASS GIS, which is a free and open source GIS software, and now constitutes a downloadable add-on. In this contribution, we tested such procedure in a case study in Italy, the alpine valleys of Gesso and Vermenagna in Piedmont region (North-West of Italy).