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To obtain biomethane, the upgrading process, i.e. the removal of carbon dioxide from the biogas, is essential. Today, several efficient technological solutions are available which, supported by clearer regulations and incentives, can facilitate its deployment

The circular bio-economy and agro-energy have a central role to play in the primary sector. Technological innovation, enhancement of land resources, recovery of by-products and renewable sources can mitigate climate change. These are the topics at the centre of the seminars and technical visits promoted by Itabia at Agrilevante, with a special focus on the all-round enhancement of biomass resources

The military conflict between Russia and Ukraine has raised the question of diversification of energy supply sources with particular urgency. With this view, renewables are called upon to play a strategic role, as demonstrated by the story of the biomass district heating plant in the South Tyrolean municipality of Rasun-Anterselva, included as an example of good practicein the EU project "BRANCHES"

Against the dramatic backdrop of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, we must not lose sight of the strategy to decarbonise Europe. At the invitation of the FREE (Renewable Sources and Energy Efficiency) Coordination, a group of experts met to discuss the italian energy model

Focusing in particular on agricultural and forestry biomass - which is a very important resource that can meet a significant part of Italy's energy needs, if properly used - the exhibition offers a complete overview of both the bioenergy chain...

Bioenergy should be recognised as having the capacity to reduce energy dependence by replacing fossil fuels with those derived from residual biomass, which is useful in terms of circularity. Short supply chains for the supply and exploitation (energy and/or industrial) of biomass stimulate the local economy, especially for mountain and rural areas, thanks to the national industry that expresses excellence in the manufacture of machinery and the provision of services

Renewable energies and the circular bio-economy will be in the foreground at the Bologna exhibition centre with the "Energy" show, an open-air demonstration area between halls 35 and 37, where visitors can see machines for processing and treating biomass in action. During the five days of the exhibition, there will also be space for in-depth thematic studies with meetings promoted by the organising partner ITABIA

In a joint letter, the main associations of the national solid biomass sector have addressed the competent Ministries (MiTe, Mipaaf and Mise) to ask for a prompt discussion on the transposition process of the "REDII" Directive on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources. The aim is to avert the risk of a possible revision of the Directive, cur-rently being discussed in Brussels, which would introduce new sustainability criteria for biomass, even before an assessment in the field of the already very stringent ones provi-ded by REDII in the transposition phase

Over the next decade, in Italy, bioenergy will keep on developing, mainly targeting thermal energy and energy carriers (biomethane) for transport. Electricity generation from biomass will occur in smaller installations suitable for farms. This trend will demand further development of more efficient innovative technologies and lower investment costs

The program of events to be held in the virtual platform of digital EIMA includes three important meetings dedicated to research and experimentation activities in circulare economy and renewable energy. Of particular importance is the event dedicated to presenting the European Project Enabling results focused on enhancing "bioproducts"

Italy is called to speed up the process of decarbonizing the economy, and the Recovery Fund could help this process in the agricultural and forestry mechanization sector as well

To deal with the environmental, economic and social crisis, the European Commission has launched the Green Deal, an ambitious programme for sustainable development. Despite the first steps towards the circular economy, the industrial sector in Europe continues to depend excessively on non-renewable raw materials and to emit 20% of greenhouse gases. The transition towards a consistent decarbonisation of the economy requires concrete measures and adequate tools; the Enabling project, coordinated by FederUnacoma and Itabia, is an interesting pilot run

The current management of crop residues in Costa Rica's pineapple plantations is a serious problem, while going forward it could be an opportunity for sustainable development. With this in mind, as part of the Extraordinary Promotion Plan for Made in Italy products, the Ministry of Economic Development has stimulated the establishment of an industrial partnership between Italy and the Central American country based on innovative mechanization in agriculture. This is a summary of the results of the preliminary tests carried out by CREA on machines found on site to optimize their performance in the field

Subproducts left by the maintenance of parks and gardens in Italian cities can annually lead to a huge amount of biomass, sufficient to meet the energy requirements of thousand families. A succession of incompatible regulations which, over time, have led to differing definitions of residues and thus differing procedures for handling them and thus have blocked the efficient use of them as raw combustion materials

With a long-awaited provision, the national forest sector can be relaunched by stimulating active forest management through modern governance, sustainable production, infrastructure creation and knowledge transfer. The text is the result of a constructive dialogue between policy and industry stakeholders, aiming to ensure environmental and landscape protection, the development of new "green economies" and employment growth

Utilizing residues is a good practice rooted in agriculture and is returning today as a strategy for developing a circular economy. Tree pruning operations create substantial quantities of biomass which can be put to use for the production of renewable energy sources. Moving residual biomass must be done with limited cost and the certainty of the level of the quality of the materials collected. For this purpose it is important to have a good organization of the supply chain with recourse to know-how and avant garde mechanization. The experience of the Agritoppi in Foggia working with the collaboration of the Nobili industry

Italy's National Energy Strategy (NES) recognizes that renewable energy sources and bioenergy are the most important elements for meeting energy demand, while respecting climate and the environment. The NES was defined through a wide consultation which involved the relevant institutional bodies, businesses, experts and citizens. The Agrilevante exhibition will give an opportunity for a debate on topics concerning the environment and the energy sphere, so as to involve the primary sector in a process of gradual decarbonization

Strategies for reducing greenhouse gases include various types of interventions, including the application of technologies that optimize production processes, significantly reducing energy consumption. Some specific surveys show that the "French model" proves the most efficient in the reduction of energy consumption, but significant results have also been achieved by certain Italian industrial sectors. Overall, Europe has invested heavily to support an increased use of renewable energies

The analysis of the realisation of bioenergy plants throughout the country shows that in the past five years bioenergy has made great progress and achieved some of the targets set by the National Action Plan ahead of 2020 schedule. In this process, many regions have been particularly virtuous. The RDP represent an excellent opportunity for the modernization of companies of the primary sector

Jatropha curcas is a hardy plant which can withstand arid environments and grow on poor wastelands typical of developing countries. Oil can be extracted from the fruit of Jatropha crops which is non-edible but can be put to use for a variety of purposes, from sustainable chemistry to energy generation and biofuel. A series of evaluations of the feasibility of promoting Jatropha energy crops, especially on marginal farm lands in the Mediterranean region, was carried out by the JatroMed Project with the participation of Italy through CREA-ING. Five years of experiments have led to the identification of the most suitable mechanization system for the harvest of these crops, optimizing yields and safeguarding the work performed by farmers

Technological progress in forestry mechanization over the past decade had led to a significant increase in the competitiveness of timber brought down from mountain woodlands, typical in Italy, compared to users in the flatlands and hilly areas of North Europe. The development of innovative worksites with techniques and highly efficient machinery now ensure interesting margins for lower the cost of timber, optimizing the safety of workers and limiting the impact on woodlands to a minimum. This is the challenge of the SLOPE Project financed by the European Union with an authentic technical-scientific contribution provided by Italian partners

The ongoing climate change must be fought with effective measures to be implemented in a short time and on a global scale. At present, the commitments declared at the COP21 by the countries attending the conference appear inadequate to prevent the risk of irreversible events of environmental imbalances. Policy-makers will have the task to define responsible strategies in contrast to that

The Paris World Conference on the climate emergency involving 196 countries is about to open. The reduction of greenhouse gases is a fundamental objective not only to preserve the balance of the ecosystem but also to contain the phenomena of immigration, related to the deterioration of environmental conditions in the various regions of the planet, which are expected to reach a huge scale

Published in October, the "European Bioenergy Outlook" report produced by AEBIOM is a guideline instrument for proper strategic planning. The study shows clearly that from 2000 to 2013 the production of primary energy, fell by 16%. In the same period the contribution of renewable energy sources has doubled, going from 97 to 192 Mtoe, of which 2/3 are attributable to bioenergy. This trend demonstrates the significant potential of RES that today stand as the main local resources

From global warming to the flow of migrants, today's the most important topics require a more and more global approach. Finding the strategies and policies to restore environmental and social balances is the challenge of the future. The decisive contribution can only come from a deep review of the economy, and the promotion of models that identify the efficient management of resources and the drastic reduction of waste and emissions of greenhouse gases as the priorities to be pursued

A conference at the FAO on the topic of "Mobilization of woody biomass for energy and industrial use" offered an update on the technologies and projects for energy uses of crop residues and dedicated plantations. The progress of the key projects in Europe was presented

A conference at the FAO on the topic of "Mobilization of woody biomass for energy and industrial use" offered an update on the technologies and projects for energy uses of crop residues and dedicated plantations. The progress of the key projects in Europe was presented

For years European Union policy has been orienting Member States towards the progressive decarbonization of the economy and finally now the results are becoming evident in many production sectors. Italy, not without difficulty and contradictions, has achieved a patrimony of experience which can launch new forms for the market nationally as well as abroad

There is increasing talk of informed consumers, who with their choices and expectations can contribute significantly to a global project for sustainable development. To achieve this it is necessary to disseminate adequately the knowledge gained, which does not always reach civil society at large because of the complexity of scientific, technical and juridical language. The recent decree for the development of biomethane could be in this sense a first testing ground

The Ministry of Agriculture has entrusted Itabia with the task of drawing up a basic document for the development of energy from agricultural raw materials. Made in agreement with the professional agricultural organizations, the Plan aims to ensure a proper valuation of the resource biomass, financially support farmers and harmonize the regulatory system