PROSPECTS OF BIOMASS ENERGY USE IN APULIA (ITALY)

In light of the European actions implemented in the energy sector Italy, as other European countries, adapting to these, has enacted a policy regarding renew-able energy sources, including biomass. Execution thereof has been appointed to both regional and provincial local authorities for various technical, economic and socio-environmental reasons which presuppose a direct and integrated relationship with the territory. In particular, the present study analyses the situation in the Apulia region, a predominantly agricultural area, in order to estimate the amount of useable resid-ual biomass, highlighting current limitations and prospects of use and recovery, while taking into account other probable uses, land availability and possible inter-action with food production. The objective is the production of thermal and/or electric energy through the application of suitable energy conversion technologies. However, the way the potential offered by agro-industrial residues would be put to use will, apart from availability of appropriate technology, also depend on the ability of economic operators to organize themselves efficiently while respecting environmental sustainability