EUBCE 2026 - Giuseppe TODDE - Turning Waste into Watts: Environmental Assessment of Bioelectricity Pathways from Agricultural Residues

Turning Waste into Watts: Environmental Assessment of Bioelectricity Pathways from Agricultural Residues

Short Introductive summary

The increase in environmental emissions poses major challenges for sustainable development, making climate policies central to the European Green Deal, which targets climate neutrality by 2050. Achieving this goal requires a rapid expansion of renewables, with projections indicating that 65% of EU electricity will come from renewable sources by 2030. Biomass, currently accounting for nearly 60% of non-fossil energy, is a crucial resource when derived sustainably from forestry, agriculture, waste, and residues. Agricultural residues are particularly promising, with an estimated European potential of 253–483 Mt annually. In Sardinia, about 580 kt are available each year, yet current practices such as soil incorporation or open burning are inefficient and environmentally harmful. This study introduces an integrated “field-to-wire” Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) framework, compliant with ISO standards, to evaluate residue-based bioenergy systems. Results highlight high energy efficiency, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and the importance of optimizing logistics, situating residue valorization within the circular economy and a resilient energy transition.

G. Todde, University of Sassari, ITALY
S. Sole, Università degli studi di Sassari, ITALY
G. Sara, University of Sassari, ITALY
D. Pinna, University of Sassari, ITALY
M. Caria, University of Sassari, ITALY