Energy production from anaerobic digestion of organic waste and dedicated digestable biomass is a promising climate change mitigation option. Over the last ten years anaerobic digestion has become established in many European countries. The plants have been developed for renewable energy generation, but also to control the emission of odors from zootechnical farms and to stabilize biomass before its agronomic use. In Italy the subsidies available for power generation from biomass have given rise to renewed interest in biogas, creating new opportunities for the agricultural and livestock sectors. Despite of this, in Southern Italy the manure is highly dispersed over a large number of small-size cattle farms, while power generation facilities are affected by scale economies and the aggregation of input biomass is a major logistic, managing, economic and environmental drawback towards the diffusion of such technologies. In this paper, an investment decision methodology for the assessment of optimal size and feedstock mix of biogas power plants fed by cattle manure and energy crops is presented. The methodology is applied to one of the most promising basins of Puglia region, in Southern Italy, represented by the Municipalities of the Local Action Group “Terra dei Trulli e del Barsento”, Province of Bari. The main factors influencing the profitability of these investments are assessed, with biogas power plant size ranging between 50 kW and 1 MW, and on the basis of the recently introduced feed-in tariff scheme for such plants (D.M. 6 July 2012). The results show that a high manure recovery rate, the reuse of biogas slurry and the cogeneration options are major key factor for the profitability of the investments.

In this paper, an experimental procedure is proposed, in order to evaluate the machinability of different particleboards. A dedicated test stand has been built to measure the power consumption during the process for different typologies of particleboards. This methodology could constitute a quick particleboard grading system, in order to maximize the feeding rate during the working process, and, at the same time, minimize the tool wear and the loads on the shaft of the electrical spindle, with a considerable improvement in the overall production costs

This research aims to overview the potentials of bioenergy to serve the heat and power demand of urban areas and to be integrated into existing energy infrastructures. For this purpose, both the analysis of biomass resources, processing and conversion technologies suitable for urban energy systems, and the assessment of existing case studies of integration of bioenergy to serve heat/cool and electricity demand for urban areas are used to capture the technical and non technical key factors influencing the use of biomass in residential areas, and evaluate the most promising bioenergy routes for these applications.

Bioenergy technology development is widely recognized as a key step for the society to shift towards more sustainable energy provision systems and reaching decarbonization targets. Improving efficiency of urban energy systems is of crucial importance and biomass is a promising source to reach these objectives. However, several drawbacks and trade-offs need to be taken simultaneously into account within urban energy systems optimal design. This paper presents an integrated resource modeling framework to help managing the transition towards more sustainable energy systems in urban context, identifying the best choice in terms of conversion technologies, fuel sources, distribution networks. The integration of energy services (i.e. the use of combined heat and power systems) and of biomass-based fuels within the existing fossils infrastructures are addressed as promising alternatives to reach sustainability targets.

This paper focuses on the thermo-economic analysis of a hybrid solar-biomass CHP combined cycle composed by a 1.3-MW externally fired gas-turbine (EFGT) and a bottoming organic Rankine cycle (ORC) plant. The primary thermal energy input is provided by a hybrid concentrating solar power (CSP) collector-array coupled to a biomass boiler. The CSP collector-array is based on parabolic-trough concentrators (PTCs) with molten salts as the heat transfer fluid (HTF) upstream of a fluidized-bed furnace for direct biomass combustion. Thermal-energy storage (TES) with two molten-salt tanks (one cold and one hot) is considered, as a means to reducing the variations in the plant’s operating conditions and increasing the plant’s capacity factor. On the basis of the results of the thermodynamic simulations, upfront and operational costs assessments, and considering an Italian energy policy scenario (feed-in tariffs for renewable electricity), the global energy conversion efficiency and investment profitability of this plant are estimated for 2 different sizes of CSP arrays and biomass furnaces. The results indicate the low economic profitability of CSP configuration in comparison to only biomass CHP, because of the high investment costs, which are not compensated by higher electricity sales revenues.

Agro-biomass residues can play a crucial role in promoting the fossil-fuel replacement in agro-food farms. Apulia, a region in Southern Italy, concentrates 22% of farms and 57% of total national olive and olive oil production, resulting the leader producer of the Country. So that, a high quantity of biomass (olive pomace) can be recovered from the milling process. This study investigates the biogas production that occurs during the anaerobic digestion of olive pomace by means of an ultrasound pre-treatment or by means of green synthesis of ZnO Nanoparticles mixed with olive pomace, in order to facilitate its digestion or co-digestion. Measurement of dry matter and biogas produced volume during the anaerobic process were investigated starting from 3-phase and 2-phase olive pomace by means of high specific energy and low frequency ultrasound values. The results highlight a promising influence of ultrasound pre-treatment useful at increasing the biogas yield of olive pomace. © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

The focus of this paper is on the energy performance and thermo-economic assessment of a small scale (100 kWe) combined cooling, heat and power (CCHP) plant serving a tertiary/residential energy demand fired by natural gas and solid biomass. The plant is based on a modified regenerative micro gas-turbine (MGT), where compressed air exiting the recuperator is externally heated by the hot gases produced in a biomass furnace. The flue gases after the recuperator flow through a heat recovery system (HRS), producing domestic hot water (DHW) at 90 °C, space heating (SH), and also chilled water (CW) by means of an absorption chiller (AC). Different biomass/natural gas ratios and an aggregate of residential end-users in cold, average and mild climate conditions are compared in the thermo-economic assessment, in order to assess the trade-offs between: (i) the lower energy conversion efficiency and higher investment cost when increasing the biomass input rate; (ii) the higher primary energy savings and revenues from feed-in tariffs available for biomass electricity exported into the grid; and (iii) the improved energy performance, sales revenue and higher investment and operational costs of trigeneration. The results allow for a comparison of the energy performance and investment profitability of the selected system configuration, as a function of the heating/cooling demand intensity, and report a global energy efficiency in the range of 25-45%, and IRR in the range of 15-20% assuming the Italian subsidy framework.

This paper describes ESCO approaches and business models for biomass heating and CHP generation. State of the art, policy measures and main barriers towards the implementation of such ESCO operations in Italy are discussed. Moreover, on the basis of the proposed framework, representative case studies in the Italian residential, tertiary and industrial market segments are compared. The case studies are referred to a 6 MWt wood chips fired plant. The case study of the industrial sector is based on a constant heat demand of a dairy firm, while in the tertiary and residential sectors the options to serve a concentrated heat demand (hospital) and a community housing by a district heating network are explored. The further option of coupling an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) for CHP is explored. The relevance of the research relies on the assessment of the main key factors towards the development of biomass-ESCO operations. The results of the techno-economic assessment show that the agro-industrial case study for heat generation is extremely profitable, because of the high baseline energy cost, the high load rate, the availability of incentives for biomass heating. The cogeneration option is also profitable, even if the higher investment cost determines a longer pay back time. The tertiary sector case study is also a profitable, for the presence of a concentrated load with high heat load rate and high energy cost. Finally, the residential sector case study is the least profitable, for the high district heating cost and the lower heat load rate, not compensated by the higher heat selling price. The higher investment cost of CHP, even if attracting further income from electricity sale, does not present higher profitability than the only heat generation plant. In addition, the heat load rate results a more influencing factor than the thermal energy selling price

Recent years have shown a marked interest in the construction of eco-towns, showcase developments intended to demonstrate the best in ecologically-sensitive and energyefficient construction. This paper examines one such development in the UK and considers the role of biomass energy systems. We present an integrated resource modelling framework that identifies an optimized low-cost energy supply system including the choice of conversion technologies, fuel sources, and distribution networks. Our analysis shows that strategies based on imported wood chips, rather than locally converted forestry residues, burned in a mix of ICE and ORC combined heat and power facilities offer the most promise. While there are uncertainties surrounding the precise environmental impacts of these solutions, it is clear that such biomass systems can help eco-towns to meet their target of an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

The present work aims to investigate the influence of the main process parameters (pressure and temperature) and biomass characteristics (moisture content and particle size) on some mechanical properties (density and durability) of olive tree pruning residues pellets. By means of a lab scale pellet press, able to control process parameters, the biomass, ground with three different hammer mill screen sizes (1, 2 and 4 mm) and conditioned at different moisture contents (5, 10, 15 and 20% w.b.), was pelletized at various process temperatures (60, 90, 120 and 150 C) and pressures (71, 106, 141 and 176 MPa). Compressed sample dimensions and mass were measured in order to calculate pellet density, while compressive strength tests were carried out to estimate the durability of the final biofuel. The relationships between the factor settings and the responses (density, compression strength and modulus of elasticity) were examined by univariate and multivariate statistical analysis. Temperature resulted the most important variable influencing pellet mechanical properties, followed by the initial moisture content and the particle size of the raw material. In particular, high process temperature, low moisture contents and reduced particle sizes allowed obtaining good quality pellets. The effect of compression force resulted scarcely relevant.

The interest on silicone structural sealants application in the field of wood window frames is growing fast, because of the introduction of novel production processes and stringent energy performance requirements of buildings. Structural timber-glass-sealant adhesive bonding assessments were carried out in several researches. The goal of this paper is to investigate the mechanism of adhesion and the properties of wood-structural silicone joints in order to understand the failure modes and strength of these bondings. For this purpose, tensile tests on wood-silicone joints were carried out in order to investigate the adhesion strength with different wood species. Moreover, peel tests have been carried out on wood-silicone joints in order to better understand the adhesion properties of the different materials. For this purpose, a dedicated belt was used, to avoid typical problems encountered during the standard peel test execution. In this investigation, both tests on untreated wood-silicone bonding and on coated wood-silicone bonding have been carried out, in order to capture the influence of wood species and wood primers on the adhesion to silicone. The results clearly proved that the adhesion strength between wood and structural silicone is highly influenced by the wood species, and a good correlation was found between tensile strength and breakage load in peel test. These results can be useful when assessing the strength of wood-silicone-double glazing glass joints and when informing FE models of wood frames joints and also to provide indications about optimal structural sealant application modes and selection of silicone typologies in wood frames applications.

The paper presents a multi integer linear programming (MILP) approach to optimize multibiomass and natural gas supply chain strategic design for heat and power generation in urban areas. The focus is on spatial and temporal allocation of biomass supply, storage, processing, transport and energy conversion (heat and CHP) to match the heat demand of residential end users. The main aim lies on the representation of the relationships between the biomass processing and biofuel energy conversion steps, and on the trade-offs between centralized district heating plants and local heat generation systems. After a description of state of the art and research trends in urban energy systems and bioenergy modelling, an application of the methodology to a generic case study is proposed. With the assumed thecno-economic parameters, biomass based thermal energy generation results competitive with natural gas, while district heating network results the main option for urban areas with high thermal energy demand density. Potential further applications of this model are also described, together with main barriers for development of bioenergy routes for urban areas.

The paper presents the application of a mixed integer linear programming (MILP) methodology to optimize multi-biomass and natural gas supply chain strategic design for heat and power generation in urban areas. The focus is on spatial and temporal allocation of biomass supply, storage, processing, transport and energy conversion (heat and CHP) to match the heat demand of residential end users. The main aim lies on the assessment of the trade-offs between centralized district heating plants and local heat generation systems, and on the decoupling of the biomass processing and biofuel energy conversion steps. After a brief description of the methodology, which is presented in detail in Part I of the research, an application to a generic urban area is proposed. Moreover, the influence of energy demand typologies (urban areas energy density, heat consumption patterns, buildings energy efficiency levels, baseline energy costs and available infrastructures) and specific constraints of urban areas (transport logistics, air emission levels, space availability) on the selection of optimal bioenergy pathways for heat and power is assessed, by means of sensitivity analysis. On the basis of these results, broad considerations about the key factors influencing the use of bioenergy into urban energy systems are proposed. Potential further applications of this model are also described, together with main barriers for development of bioenergy routes for urban areas.

The paper presents a MILP approach to optimize multi-biomass supply chain strategic design including biomass supplier allocation as well as feedstocks storage, processing, transport and energy conversion ( heat and CHP ) for residential end users. The main focus lies on the representation of the relationships between the biomass processing and biofuel energy conversion steps, and on the trade-offs between large centralized district heating plants and several distributed generation systems. For this purpose, the influence of coupling biomass processing and energy conversion systems on drying and storage costs is considered. Moreover, the influence of energy demand typologies ( energy density, heat consumption patterns) and transport logistics constraints of urban areas on both the investment and operational costs of district heating systems and on the biomass road transport constraints within the urban areas are assessed.

This paper compares different operating strategies for small scale (100 kWe) combined heat and power (CHP) plants fired by natural gas and solid biomass to serve a residential energy demand. The focus is on a dual fuel micro gas turbine (MGT) cycle. Various biomass/natural gas energy input ratios are modeled, in order to assess the trade-offs between: (i) lower energy conversion efficiency and higher investment cost when increasing the biomass input rate; (ii) higher primary energy savings and revenues from feed-in tariff available for biomass electricity fed into the grid. The strategies of baseload (BL), heat driven (HD) and electricity driven (ED) plant operation are compared, for an aggregate of residential end-users in cold, average and mild climate conditions. On the basis of the results from thermodynamic assessment and simulation at partial load operation, CAPEX and OPEX estimates, and Italian energy policy scenario (incentives available for biomass electricity, on-site and high efficiency CHP), the maximum global energy efficiency, primary energy savings and investment profitability is found, as a function of biomass/natural gas ratio, plant operating strategy and energy demand typology. The thermal and electric conversion efficiency ranged respectively between 46-38% and 30-19% for the natural gas and biomass fired case studies. The IRR of the investment was highly influenced by the load/CHP thermal power ratio and by the operation mode. The availability of high heat demand levels was also a key factor, to avoid wasted cogenerated heat and maximize CHP sales revenues. BL operation presented the highest profitability because of the higher revenues from electricity sales. Climate area was another important factor, mainly in case of low load/CHP ratios. Moreover, at low load/CHP power ratio and for the BL operation mode, the dual fuel option presented the highest profitability. This is due to the lower cost of biomass fuel in comparison to natural gas and the high subsidies available for biomass electricity by feed-in tariffs. The results show that dual fuel MT can be an interesting option to increase efficiencies, flexibility and plant reliability at low cost in comparison to only biomass systems, facilitating an integration of renewable and fossil fuel systems.

This paper presents the results of a techno-economic feasibility assessment of small scale (100 kWe) CHP generation plants fired by natural gas and biomass. The focus is on externally fired gas turbine (EFGT) cycle. In this cycle, compressed air is heated in the high temperature heat exchanger (HTHE) by using the hot gases produced by the natural gas/biomass combustion process. The hot air expands in the turbine and then feeds the furnace. In order to explore the influence of fuel characteristics on (i) technical plant parameters, (ii) conversion efficiencies, (iii) investment and operational costs, (iv) primary energy saving balances and (v) profitability of investments, four main scenarios are proposed. The scenarios are (a) internally fired gas turbine by natural gas (baseline scenario), (b and c) cofiring of biomass and natural gas (ratio 50-50% and 70-30% on energy content respectively), (d) EFGT cycle only fired by biomass. Technical performances and profitability on the proposed CHP systems are evaluated, in view of the incentives available in Italy for biomass electricity and for high efficiency cogeneration (HEC) systems. Moreover, the primary energy savings and the public subsidies available for each scenario are calculated and compared, in order to evaluate the configurations with minimum public cost for primary energy saved.

This paper presents the results of a thermo-economic assessment of small scale (100 kWe) Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plants fired by natural gas and solid biomass to serve a residential energy demand, comparing different plant operating strategies. The focus is on dual fuel micro gas turbine (MGT) cycle, where compressed air is heated in the high temperature heat exchanger (HTHE) using the hot gases produced in a biomass furnace, before entering the gas combustion chamber. The hot air expands in the turbine and then feeds the internal pre-heater recuperator, while the biomass combustion flue gases are used for combustion air pre-heating. Various biomass/natural gas energy input ratios are modelled, in order to assess the trade-offs between: (i) lower energy conversion efficiency and higher investment cost when increasing the biomass input rate; (ii) higher primary energy savings and revenues from feed-in tariff available for biomass electricity fed into the grid. The strategies of baseload (BL), heat driven (HD) and electricity driven (ED) plant operation are compared, for an aggregate of residential end-users in cold, average and mild climate conditions. On the basis of the results from thermodynamic assessment, including partial load operation (carried out by Gate Cycle,) CAPEX and OPEX assessment, and Italian energy policy scenario (incentives available for biomass electricity, on-site and high efficiency CHP), the maximum global energy efficiency, primary energy savings and investment profitability is found, as a function of biomass/natural gas ratio, plant operating strategy and energy demand typology.

The focus of this paper is on the part load performance of a small scale (100 kWe) combined heat and power (CHP) plant fired by natural gas and solid biomass to serve a residential energy demand. The plant is based on a modified regenerative micro gas turbine (MGT), where compressed air exiting from recuperator is externally heated by the hot gases produced in a biomass furnace; then the air is conveyed to combustion chamber where a conventional internal combustion with natural gas takes place, reaching the maximum cycle temperature allowed by the blade turbine temperature. The hot gas expands in the turbine and then feeds the recuperator, while the biomass combustion flue gases are used for pre-heating the combustion air that feeds the furnace. The part load efficiency is examined considering a single shaft layout of the gas turbine and two regulation options: constant rotational speed and variable speed. In this last case, it is assumed that the turbine shaft is connected to a high speed electric generator and a frequency converter is used to adjust the frequency of the produced electric power. The results show that the variable rotational speed operation allows high the part load efficiency, mainly due to maximum cycle temperature that can be kept about constant, the lower the pressure ratio and the slightly higher efficiency of the heat exchangers. Different biomass/natural gas energy input ratios are also modelled, in order to assess the trade-offs between: (i) lower energy conversion efficiency and higher investment cost when increasing the biomass input rate; (ii) higher primary energy savings and revenues from feed-in tariff available for biomass electricity fed into the grid. The strategies of baseload (BL), heat driven (HD) and electricity driven (ED) plant operation are compared, for an aggregate of residential end-users in cold, average and mild climate conditions.

Organic Rankine cycle (ORC) power systems are being increasingly deployed for waste heat recovery and conversion to power in several industrial settings. In the present paper, we investigate the deployment of working-fluid mixtures in ORCs operating in combined heat and power mode (ORC-CHP) with shaft power provided by the expanding working fluid and heating provided by the cooling-water exiting the ORC condenser. Using the flue gas from a refinery boiler as the waste-heat source and with working fluids comprising normal alkanes, refrigerants and their subsequent mixtures, the ORC-CHP system is demonstrated as being capable of delivering over 20 MW of net shaft power and up to 15 MW of heating, leading to a fuel energy savings ratio (FESR) in excess of 20%. Single-component working fluids such as pentane appear to be optimal at low hot-water supply temperatures. Working-fluid mixtures become optimal at higher temperatures, with the working-fluid mixture combination of octane and pentane giving an ORCCHP system design with the highest efficiency. However, in most CHP applications, the fluctuation of heat demand can determinate a discharge of heating, in particular when a waste-heat source makes profitable the system operation also in only electricity mode, and if thermal storage options are not considered. For this reason, the influence of heat demand intensity on the global system conversion efficiency and optimal working fluid selection is also explored.

The S2Biom project (www.s2biom.eu) - Delivery of sustainable supply of non-food biomass to support a resource-efficient Bioeconomy in Europe - supports sustainable delivery chains of non-food biomass feedstock. This poses a logistical challenge because the quality and handling characteristics, and often also the moisture content of biomass restricts options for efficient logistics and for efficient conversion into bio-energy. A task of the logistics work package was to identify and characterize the main logistical components. A logistical component is defined as one of the links in the biomass value chain from biomass to conversion. Examples are pre-treatment, storage and transport technologies that are needed to deliver biomass feedstock of a specified quality to a processing technology. These logistical components were then entered in the first prototype of a database. This paper shows the database design, the main data available and the way how to use the individual logistical components when designing optimal biomass value chains.

This paper provides a quantitative measure of the bonding strength of structural silicone sealant applied to wood–double glazing glass joints for wood frame applications. The joint strength is assessed by tensile and shear experimental tests. The paper aims to characterize the joint behaviour through experimental tests in order to implement and validate a finite element (FE) model of the joint that can be used for whole frame characterization. The experimental tests are carried out on three wood species (Meranti, White Oak and Pine), and two different FE models of the wood–silicone–glass joint are implemented: the first basic model assumes the modulus of elasticity and modulus of rupture of the silicone as provided by the manufacturer, while the second model assumes the results of the experimental tensile tests. The results of the first FE model do not fit well with the tests carried out, while the second FE model proves to be more reliable and is validated by experimental results. The results report that, when modelling wood–double glazing glass joints by FE methods, the equivalent structural sealant modulus of elasticity assigned in the model should be about 50% lower than what is declared by the manufacturer. This result can be useful when modelling whole wood frames and dimensioning sealant depth and thickness in wood–glass joint applications.

The research focuses on the assessment of the performances of glued laminated wood corner joints for outdoor window profiles applications, proposing a methodology to appreciate the strength of 90° tenon mortise corner joints. The rationale relies on the potential damage (i.e. breaking of the frame) that can be caused by poor glueing processes and/or typology of adhesives. There is a number of standards for assessment of wood-adhesive bonds for outdoor windows; however, there is a lack of specific standards related to glueing assessment for outdoor wood frames, which can take into account all the factors influencing the glueing quality. The proposed methodology was tested on red oak window profiles. A commercially available polyvinyl acetate-based adhesive was used for corner joints. Bending strength of 90° tenon mortise corner joints was measured and compared with maximum admissible loads on the frame to limit its deformations within admissible ranges. The test results show that the 90° tenon mortise corner joints strength exceeds the admissible load to preserve the functionality of the frame. In order to appreciate the influence of conditioning processes on adhesion, shear strength tests of the flatwise glued joint samples (bond lines of lamellae) were carried out after different conditioning processes

The research focuses on the assessment of the performances of glued laminated wood joint for outdoor window profiles applications, proposing a methodology to appreciate the quality and strength of both bond lines and upright-crossbar tenon-mortise joints. The rationale of the research relies on the potential damages (i.e. breaking of the frame) that can be caused by poor gluing processes and/or typology of adhesives. Despite of this, there is a lack of specific standards related to gluing assessment for outdoor wood frames, which can be able to take into account all the factors affecting the gluing quality. The proposed methodology has been tested on laminated window profiles manufactured from red oak (Quercus Rubra). A commercially available thermoplastic resin-based adhesive has been used for experiments. Shear strength of the laminated samples and compression strength of upright-crossbar corner joints have been measured. The experimental results show that the bond line strength of red oak is decreased by the conditioning processes. A reasonable explanation is that the conditioning process increases the swelling of the samples, and the high differential swelling between axial and transverse directions of red oak can contribute to lower bond line strength. Moreover, the test results show that the tenon-mortise joints strength exceeds the admissible load to preserve the functionality of the frame.

The core concepts, or threads, of Biosystems Engineering (BSEN) are variously understood by those within the discipline, but have never been unequivocally defined due to its early stage of development. This makes communication and teaching difficult compared to other well established engineering subjects. Biosystems Engineering is a field of Engineering which integrates engineering science and design with applied biological, environmental and agricultural sciences. It represents an evolution of the Agricultural Engineering discipline applied to all living organisms not including biomedical applications. The basic key element for the emerging EU Biosystems Engineering program of studies is to ensure that it offers essential minimum fundamental engineering knowledge and competences. A core curriculum developed by Erasmus Thematic Networks is used as benchmark for Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering studies in Europe. The common basis of the core curriculum for the discipline across the Atlantic, including a minimum of competences comprising the Biosystems Engineering core competencies, has been defined by an Atlantis project, but this needs to be taken further by defining the threads linking courses together. This paper presents a structured approach to define the Threads of BSEN. The definition of the mid-level competences and the associated learning outcomes has been one of the objectives of the Atlantis programme TABE.NET. The mid-level competences and learning outcomes for each of six modules of BSEN are defined while the domain-specific knowledge to be acquired for each outcome is proposed. Once the proposed definitions are adopted, these threads will be available for global development of the BSEN.

The core concepts, or threads, of biosystems engineering (BSEN) are variously understood by those within the discipline but have never been unequivocally defined due to BSEN’s early stage of development. This makes communication and teaching difficult compared to other well-established engineering disciplines. Biosystems engineering is a field of engineering that integrates engineering science and design with applied biological, environmental, and agricultural sciences. It represents an evolution of the agricultural engineering discipline applied to all living organisms but generally does not include biomedical applications. The key element for the emerging EU biosystems engineering program of studies is to ensure that it offers essential minimum fundamental engineering knowledge and competences. A core curriculum developed by successive Erasmus thematic networks has benchmarked agricultural and biosystems engineering studies in Europe. The common basis of a core curriculum for the discipline across European countries and the U.S. has been defined by an EU-US Atlantis project, but this needs to be taken further by defining the threads that link courses together. This article presents a structured approach to define the threads of BSEN. Definition of the mid-level competences and the associated learning outcomes has been one of the objectives of the EU-US Atlantis project TABE.NET. The mid-level competences and learning outcomes for each of six specializations within BSEN are defined, while the domain-specific knowledge to be acquired for each outcome is proposed. Once the proposed definitions are discussed, modified, and ultimately adopted, these threads will be available for the global development of BSEN.

This paper draws upon work done under the IEE project Biosol-ESCO (2008-11), which investigated ESCO approaches and business models to implement renewable heating projects in the EU. Main technical and non technical barriers towards the implementation of biomass heating schemes by means of the ESCO approach at Italian level are investigated. Moreover, representative case studies in the residential and industrial market segments are compared and discussed. All the case studies are referred to a 6 MWt wood chips fired thermal plant, which is an average size for biomass heating projects. The case study of the industrial sector is based on the quite constant heat demand of a diary firm, while in the residential sector the options to serve a concentrated heat load (hospital) and a number of flats by a district heating network are explored. The further option of coupling an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) for the combined production of heat and power is also explored, for each case study. The relevance of the research relies on the assessment of the main bottlenecks towards the development of ESCO business models, and the set up of guidelines for ESCO operators in order to penetrate the markets and boost the diffusion of biomass heating schemes for the most promising end-user categories.

This research investigates the potentials of olive tree pruning residues and olive oil pomace recovery for energy conversion purposes in Apulia Region. In the first part, the theoretical potentials assessment is carried out, on the basis of the land use and typologies of olive cultivation and olive oil production. In the second part, the biomass supply costs are analyzed, by means of literature data, markets analyses and interviews with field operators. The different harvesting, handling and transport pathways for olive pruning residues are also explored. In the third part, the non technical barriers towards the energy conversion of such biomasses in Puglia are discussed, while in the last part the techno-economic feasibility assessment of a 1 MWe cogeneration plant with Organic Rankine Technology and fed by olive pruning residues is proposed, in light of the current legislative framework and different plant configuration scenarios.

Nonostante abbia perso il primato mondiale a favore della Spagna, la produzione di olio di oliva continua a rivestire un ruolo fondamentale nella filiera agro-alimentare italiana, in modo particolare nelle regioni meridionali. In queste ultime si concentra il 79,5% della superficie e circa il 90% della produzione olivicola nazionale che, nel 2009, è stata stimata dall'Istat pari a oltre 36 milioni di quintali di olive (34 milioni di quintali sono quelle raccolte). Secondo l'ultima indagine Istat (ISTAT 2008) sono circa 776 mila le aziende che coltivano olivi, mentre la superficie totale, nel 2010, ammontava ad oltre 1.183.000 ettari. Al 2008, secondo dati Agea, risultano attivi in Italia 4.966 frantoi, la maggior parte dei quali (70%) localizzati al Sud. Tra questi le strutture cooperative svolgono un ruolo di rilievo, soprattutto in Puglia e nelle regioni olivicole dell'Italia centrale. Secondo un'indagine curata da Unaprol (2005) l'84% dei frantoi utilizza il sistema di estrazione continuo per centrifugazione, mentre è sempre minore il numero di frantoi che utilizza il sistema per pressione (15%). Infine, solamente l'1% delle aziende adotta un sistema di estrazione per percolamento (associato ad una successiva estrazione per centrifugazione). In questo articolo, si fornisce una panoramica delle tipologie di residui olivicolo-oleari disponibili in Italia per una valorizzazione energetica ed una preliminare stima dei quantitativi nazionali. Vengono inoltre discusse le principali problematiche allo sviluppo del settore dell'energia da biomassa con particolare riferimento alla filiera olivicolo-olearia.

This paper proposes a finite element (FE) model of a novel wooden window frame typology and validates it by experimental tests on a whole window frame and corner joint specimens. The focus is on double glazing glass frames and dowelled butt corner joints. The innovation consists on the application of the structural silicone sealant only at the interface between wood and one of the thin glass layers of the double-glazing glass, so achieving a low application depth. This application mode reduces the sealant quantity and allows the disassembly and substitution of the glass from the frame in case of breakage. In order to inform the FE model of the whole frame, the corner joint strength is measured by specific experimental tests. The test are carried out on meranti wood species and using a SIKA WT-40 structural silicone. The results show an high correlation between the FE model and the experimental results in the range of small frame deformations, that are of interest for this application. The model is then applied to various wooden frame geometries in order to evaluate if the silicone application mode and dowelled corner joints allow an acceptable stiffness of the frame, and in particular low deformations of the bottom corner joint, in order to maintain the wooden frame functionality under external loads. This approach could be useful in the assessment of optimal wood-sealant-glass joint geometries, corner joint geometries and window frame geometries to limit the bottom corner joint deformation in the required range.