Assessment of Energy, Dynamic and Economic Balance of Chipping Operation in Poplar Medium Rotation Coppice (MRC) Plantations

Exploiting renewable energy sources is one of the main strategies defined by EU to overcome dependence on foreign markets for supply. Wood fuel sourced from agroforestry sector can contribute significantly achieving goal, though its economic and environmental sustainability intimately dependent proper harvesting chipping operations. In present article, both aspects Medium Rotation Coppice (MRC) were investigated regarding chipping. A small-scale chipper tractor equipped with real-time sensors monitor time, t (s); consumption, F (cm3); PTO torque, M (daNm); speed, s (min−1); stem diameter, D (mm) during comminution 61 poplar plants (gathered in 5 classes according trunk diameter) grown MRC system. More than 29,000 records taken analyzed. Predictive models working productivity, CO2 emission, consumption costs also produced. Higher diametric exhibited lower less emission demand Time operating statistically different among classes, minimum values 0.22 (SD ± 0.02) h·Mg−1 12.07 0.93) €·Mg−1 class maximum 0.64 0.09) 35.34 4.88) 1, respectively. Fuel ranges 3.04 0.88) L·Mg−1 7.32 1.46) 1. The lowest 8.03 2.32) kg·Mg−1 was found 5. However, total cost coppice production did not exceed large-scale due purchase price machinery involved. Eventually, predictive showed high reliability as estimating tools important variables, such emissions, costs.