Erbaceous Coltural Systems

Module COLTURE DA BIOMASSA PER ENERGIA

The course aims at providing knowledge concerning the rational management of biomass crops for energy and the agroenergy supply chains for the production of thermoelectric power, biogas, bioethanol, and biodiesel.

At the end of the course, students will acquire the following skills.

• Knowledge and understanding: necessary skills in the agronomic techniques of the main biomass crops for the Mediterranean environment, and in the main bioconversion processes for the production of renewable energy and non-energy products within a circular economy perspective.
• Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: ability to apply knowledge to the development of an agroenergy supply chain: legislation, biomass sourcing, logistics, transformation processes, transformation plant, end use, sustainability.
• Independent judgment: ability to evaluate the energy, environmental, economic, and social feasibility of a bioenergy supply chain
• Communication skills: develop the ability to describe the main characteristics of bioenergy supply chains
• Learning skills: ability to undertake advanced studies with a high degree of autonomy

Lectures (21 hours), other activities, such as practical exercises, laboratory visits, group work, field teaching experiences (42 hours).

Attendance is not mandatory, but it is strongly recommended to acquire basic knowledge (main units of measurement used in bioenergy supply chains) and improve the ability to apply this knowledge through classroom exercises, group work, or case studies regarding the cultivation techniques of the main biomass crops, their bioconversion, and end-use.

 Course introduction and overview of key aspects in developing renewable energy projects based on biomass crops;

 Regional, national, and European legislation;

 Energy crops: (i) oil-bearing species, (ii) sugar/starch-rich species, (iii) lignocellulosic species, (iv) other species.

 Crop residues: (i) herbaceous crop residues, (ii) woody crop residues, (iii) forestry residues.

 Logistics.

 Wood processing and agri-food processing waste.

 Conversion processes: thermochemical and biochemical.

 Conversion facilities for combustion and the production of bioethanol, biodiesel, and biogas.

 Sustainability (energy, environmental, social; life cycle analysis).

Provide knowledge for the rational management of biomass crops for energy within agro-energy chains for the production of thermal-electric energy, biogas, bioethanol, and biodiesel. The course will also provide insights into topics necessary for the development of an agro-energy chain: Legislation, Biomass Sourcing, Logistics, Transformation Processes, Transformation Plant, End Use, Sustainability (Energy, Environmental, Economic, Social). At the end of the course, students will have acquired the necessary skills in agronomic techniques for the main dedicated biomass crops in the Mediterranean environment, and on the main bioconversion processes for the production of renewable energy and non-energy products from a circular economy perspective.

GOAL 7: AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY

7.2 By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix

GOAL 12: RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION

12.2 By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources

12.c Rationalize inefficient fossil-fuel subsidies that encourage wasteful consumption by removing market distortions, in accordance with national circumstances, including by restructuring taxation and phasing out those harmful subsidies, where they exist, to reflect their environmental impacts, taking fully into account the specific needs and conditions of developing countries and minimizing the possible adverse impacts on their development in a manner that protects the poor and the affected communities

GOAL 13: CLIMATE ACTION

13.1 Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries

13.3 Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning

GOAL 15: LIFE ON LAND

15.3 By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world

Format:

·         lecture

·         supplementary materials

1. Textbook: Lo sviluppo delle colture energetiche in Italia. Il contributo dei progetti di

ricerca SUSCACE e FAESI, a cura di Luigi Pari. ISBN: 978-88-6134-730-4.

2. Texts provided by the teacher

Learning assessment is conducted through an oral exam. Students’ preparation will be assessed based on the following criteria: learning ability and depth of understanding of the topics covered, ability to summarize and present, and the student's reasoning ability.

The grading scheme is as follows:

Failed

Knowledge and understanding of topic: Significant deficiencies. Significant inaccuracies.

Analysis and synthesis skills: Irrelevant. Frequent generalizations. Inability to synthesize.

Use of references: Completely inappropriate.

18-20

Knowledge and understanding of topic: At threshold level. Obvious imperfections.

Analysis and synthesis skills: Barely adequate.

Use of references: Barely appropriate.

21-23

Knowledge and understanding of topic: Sufficient knowledge.

Analysis and synthesis skills: Capable of correct analysis and synthesis. Arguments are logical and coherent.

Use of references: Uses standard references.

24-26

Knowledge and understanding of topic: Good knowledge.

Analysis and synthesis skills: Has good analysis and synthesis skills. Arguments are expressed coherently.

Use of references: Uses standard references.

27-29

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: More than good knowledge.

Analysis and synthesis skills: Has excellent analysis and synthesis skills.

Use of references: Has studied the topics in depth.

30-30L

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Excellent knowledge.

Analysis and synthesis skills: Has excellent analysis and synthesis skills.

Use of references: Important in-depth information.

• Describe Arundo donax propagation methods and cultivation practices.
• Identify the potential energy uses of a sugar/starch crop.
• Identify the oilseed crop best suited to Sicilian soil and climate conditions.
• Describe the cultivation's agronomic techniques and possible end uses based on the harvested biomass.
• Classify biomass crops based on the harvestable product and their end uses.
• Describe the legislation regarding energy from renewable sources.
• Describe the concept of sustainability.