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RESEARCH PRODUCT

The role of biomass in the production of electricity in agriculture. Current state and development opportunities

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The farming sector is currently affected by a continuous fall in the number of people employed in the sector and underemployment in farming families. This is largely due to the world economic crisis and the constant increase in the cost of primary goods coupled with a fall in value of agricultural products. This has caused, in various weak areas of many regions in Italy, a tendency towards rural depopulation with evident signs of land abandonment, leaving the area vulnerable to the risk of hydrogeological instability. It is therefore of the utmost importance to promote activities aimed at diversifying the rural economy by offering incentives to create/increase non-farming activities. Amongst those activities aimed at the diversification of the rural economy (agritourism, educational farms etc.) the production and sale of electricity represents a new opportunity for farms. However, there is still the need for careful evaluation and validation using a range of technicaleconomic systems available. This may range from the use of biomass (residues or dedicated crops) to choosing the best transformation technology or contractual aspects regarding the sale of the end product. On-farm electricity production, as well as being eligible for certain financial incentives, is also consistent with the most recent regulations on renewable energy production and measures currently being developed as a result of the Kyoto protocol. The following paper shows the main sources of biomass residue and potential dedicated crops currently available in Sicily and the most modern technology used for the production of electricity with short distribution chain production processes.