Economic evaluation of forest biomass production in central Italy: A scenario assessment based on spatial analysis tool

A spatial analysis tool, a Decision Support (DS) model able to support decision-making processes related to forestry energy planning has been developed using ecological and economic parameters. In this paper, the relative performance of different forest energy chains were compared by using metrics such as net revenue from forest processes, break-even prices of wood fuels, and the price elasticity of the bioenergy supply. Working with different scenarios at a spatial level, the DS model can evaluate innovative technologies and traditional forest harvest and logistical chains across a range of products, such as firewood and woodchips. The spatial analysis lends itself easily to an analysis of the political and administrative constraints with respect to levels of administration and regional variables. As expected, applying the tool to the Tuscany region in Italy shows that local characteristics and the species composition of an area influence the economic outcome of different harvest and logistical chains. In particular, mixed species Mediterranean forests appear to be suitable for the implementation of innovative bioenergy production processes, such as Whole Tree Chipping. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.