Assessing logging residues availability for energy production by using forest management plans data and geographic information system (GIS)

Abstract The aim of the work was to quantify mass logging residues (branches and tops; t yr −1 dry matter, DM) for energy generation starting from Forest Management Plans (FMP) data. methodology applied public stands an Italian district (area: 3.60 × 10 4 ha; period: 2009–2018). Compared previous preliminary analysis, potentially available were computed considering forest accessibility road traversability, by combining FMPs data with a geographic information system (GIS). New issues that assessed here were: (i) representation consisting multiple disconnected parts; (ii) calculation producible using different values biomass expansion factors (Scenario 1, S1; Scenario 2, S2). analyzed period used current sustainable supply. Then, generated heat (thermal energy, TE; GJ ) electricity (EE; ), avoided CO 2 emissions into atmosphere (EM; related final combustion process assuming supply as woodchips in local centralized heating plant currently operating. For both S1 S2, large difference between demonstrated geodata are essential reliable estimations. Moreover, required GIS analysis can be easily found databases made forestry authorities, proposed approach also other areas; this could helpful support decision-makers defining practices recovery.