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The aim of the present paper is to evaluate the most intensive demonstration of harvesting of olive tree prunings (OTP) ever occurred in Greece. In Agios Konstantinos, an integrated shredder was used to harvest the local olive groves. The harvesting campaign was performed for two consecutive years. In total, for both years, the harvesting campaign lasted for 20 days where around 81 ha of olive groves were harvested, that amounted to 252 dry Mg of harvested prunings. The aim of the paper is to evaluate an agricultural residue mobilization value chain in terms of performance, economics and fuel analyses of the harvested OTP. Via detailed monitoring, the present paper compares the harvesting demonstration results for both years. In brief, the average material capacity increased from 2.2 dry Mg/h (first year) to 2.4 dry Mg/h (second year), whereas the corresponding harvesting and haulage costs of these harvesting campaigns were calculated at 62.3 €/Mg (dry basis) and 63.7 €/Mg (dry basis), with an estimated commercial operation cost at 46.0 €/Mg (dry basis). Finally, from 49 samples of OTP collected, the average moisture content was at 27.5% (as received), ash content at 4.5% (dry basis) and the average LHV at 12.2 MJ/kg (as received). [Display omitted] • Detailed monitoring of a two-year mechanized harvesting and haulage of olive prunings. • Material Capacities at 2.2 dry Mg/h and 2.4 dry Mg/h in two consecutive years. • Estimated commercial cost of harvesting and haulage at 46.0 €/dry Mg olive pruning. • Harvested prunings averaged 12.2 MJ/kg LHV, 27.5% moisture and 4.5% ash content. • Mechanized harvesting of olive prunings (<3 Mg/ha) proved to be economical feasible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Greece and Italy are facing serious energy challenges concerning sustainability and greenhouse gas emissions as well as security of supply and the competitiveness of the internal energy market. These challenges require investments by the public sector, while the countries have seen in the last years their debts rising. A solution to promote bioenergy business, without rising public debt, could be the use of PPP (Public–Private Partnership). This paper presents a methodology to develop agro-energy business using PPP in two rural areas: the municipality of Evropos (in Greece) and the municipality of Montefalco (in Italy). At first biomass availability is studied, then the optimal technology is selected. Once technological issues have been analyzed PPP value for money has to be assessed. Conventional methods to evaluate economic viability of a project are not enough and a Public-Sector Comparator (PSC) has to be calculated. Typical risks of bioenergy projects are identified, estimating their probabilities and consequences. This will lead to associate a monetary value to each risk. Then the identified risks are allocated among private and public partners, establishing synergies. The allocation of risks will have consequences on the preparation of PPP contract and on partner selection procedure. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper, a decision support system (DSS) for multi-biomass energy conversion applications is presented. The system in question aims at supporting an investor by thoroughly assessing an investment in locally existing multi-biomass exploitation for tri-generation applications (electricity, heating and cooling), in a given area. The approach followed combines use of holistic modelling of the system, including the multi-biomass supply chain, the energy conversion facility and the district heating and cooling network, with optimization of the major investment-related variables to maximize the financial yield of the investment. The consideration of multi-biomass supply chain presents significant potential for cost reduction, by allowing spreading of capital costs and reducing warehousing requirements, especially when seasonal biomass types are concerned. The investment variables concern the location of the bioenergy exploitation facility and its sizing, as well as the types of biomass to be procured, the respective quantities and the maximum collection distance for each type. A hybrid optimization method is employed to overcome the inherent limitations of every single method. The system is demand-driven, meaning that its primary aim is to fully satisfy the energy demand of the customers. Therefore, the model is a practical tool in the hands of an investor to assess and optimize in financial terms an investment aiming at covering real energy demand. Optimization is performed taking into account various technical, regulatory, social and logical constraints. The model characteristics and advantages are highlighted through a case study applied to a municipality of Thessaly, Greece. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]