Biomass Energy Resources: Feedstock Quality and Bioenergy Sustainability

A relationship is also emerging between sustainability and raw material or biofuel quality. The most representative parameter of this ratio is moisture content. This factor has always limited the biomass supply chains by reducing the combustible product’s energy density, undermining the sustainability of the logistic processes of a supply chain. An excellent example of a virtuous supply chain and an exercise in the application of sustainability is the vine pruning pellets produced using a mobile pelletising machine. The use of residual biomass and densification close to the origin of the raw material represents an effective combination in making this solid biofuel sustainable and of higher quality than the raw material, which is removed from polluting combustion in the field with harmful effects on human health. Although we can obtain biomass through forest management, overexploitation leads to serious environmental issues. In contrast to the widespread idea that unmanaged woods and forests guarantee a high biodiversity, regular coppice management can lead to increased biodiversity due to the inclusion of species associated with different habitats, such as pasture. This potential relationship between mild forest resource management and biomass production was highlighted in one study. However, this topic has not been thoroughly investigated. The response to the SI can be considered satisfactory because the published papers contribute by adding specific information on different bioenergy production chains. Still, it is also evident how difficult it is to couple sustainability assessment with biomass and biofuel quality analysis in the same work.