Energy From Biomass: The Potentialities, Environmental Aspects And Technology

In the perspective of the production of energy and the satisfaction of different forms of energy requirements (electricity, thermal power, fuels), the possibility of using biomass in different forms is yet to be largely applied, but in the future there are very significant possibilities that this solution can be utilized a lot more. In fact it is important to consider these new possibilities in relation to the conversion of marginal agricultural areas to the production of energy crops, the destination of residues for treatment by conversion in energy factors or in energy, and new solutions for biofuels. With the aim to verify these aspects it is important to define the inventories of biomass that are at our disposition or that could be produced in the future, in connection with different hypotheses of development within this field. In the present paper, all the previously indicated aspects will be reviewed, with reference to the actual and future situations in developed countries and in emerging economies.