Room: King Willem Alexander
Date: Tuesday, 19 May 2026
Time: 16:15 - 17:15 CEST
Session code 1AO.4
Residues from agriculture and forestry: resource mapping and availabilities
Geospatial Assessment and Optimization of Forest Biomass Availability for Solar-Powered Pyrolysis Plants in the Mediterranean Region
Short Introductive summary
This study evaluates where solar-powered pyrolysis plants can be most effectively located in the Mediterranean region. The research focuses on Spain, Italy, and Greece, identifying forest areas rich in biomass, particularly oriented in pines, oaks, and other mixed species, while also considering solar irradiation levels and road accessibility. By combining geospatial data with a multi-criteria decision-making framework, the study generates suitability maps that highlight optimal regions for biomass supply and solar energy use. A simulated annealing optimization model was then applied to determine the best city locations for pyrolysis hubs, balancing biomass availability, transport distances, and solar potential. The results show that although usable forest area is reduced when environmental and logistic constraints are applied, substantial effective biomass remains available. Optimal plant numbers and locations were identified in each country, with notable hubs including Logroño (Spain), Catanzaro (Italy), and Patras (Greece). Overall, the study provides a reproducible, scalable approach that supports the development of carbon-neutral bioenergy systems in Europe.
Presenter
Erico KUTCHARTT
Forest Science and Technology Center of Catalonia, SPAIN
Presenter's biography
Postdoctoral researcher at the Forest Science and Technology Centre of Catalonia (CTFC). I earned my PhD from the University of Padova (UNIPD), Italy, in 2022. My expertise includes Earth observation, geomatics, laser scanning, photogrammetry, and remote sensing in natural environments.
Biographies and Short introductive summaries are supplied directly by presenters and are published here unedited
Co-authors:
F. Pirotti, University of Padova, Legnaro, ITALY
J. Salgado-Rojas, Forest Science and Technology Center of Catalonia, Solsona, SPAIN
A. Cortés-Molino, Forest Science and Technology Center of Catalonia, Solsona, SPAIN
M. Mora, Forest Science and Technology Center of Catalonia, Solsona, SPAIN
N. Aquilué, Forest Science and Technology Center of Catalonia, Solsona, SPAIN
N. Puy, Forest Science and Technology Center of Catalonia, Solsona, SPAIN
Session reference: 1AO.4.1