The review, after a short introduction on the tendencies of the European Community Policy on biomasses, describes the agronomic, energy potential and environmental aspects of biomass crops for energy in relation to the research activity carried out in Italy on this topic, differentiating crops on the basis of the main energy use: biodiesel and bioethanol (which refers to "first generation biofuel"), heat and electricity. Currently, many of the crops for potential energy purposes are food crops (wheat, barley, corn, rapeseed, soybean, sunflower, grain sorghum, sugar beet) and their production may be used as biofuel source (bioethanol and biodiesel) since their crop management aspects are well known and consequently they are immediately applicable. Other species that could be used, highly productive in biomass, such as herbaceous perennial crops (Arundo donax, Miscanthus spp., cardoon), annual crops (sweet sorghum), short rotation woody crops (SRF) have been carefully considered in Italy, but they still exhibit critical aspects related to propagation technique, low-input response, harvest and storage technique, cultivars and mechanization. Crops for food, however, often have negative energetic indices and environmental impacts (carbon sequestration, Life Cycle Assessment), consequent to their low productivity. Conversely, crops which are more productive in biomass, show both a more favourable energy balance and environmental impact.Key-words: energy biomass crops, energetic indices, Life Cycle Assessment, CO 2 balance, VII Framework Program.
IntroductionThe European Union foresees two key targets by 2020 (Commission of the European Communities, 2008Communities, 23.01.2008: -at least a 20% reduction in greenhouse gases (GHG) -a 20% share of renewable energies in EU energy consumption. The European energy policy in biomass sector (Commission of European Communities, 2005) seems to be more oriented towards cereal and oil crops for biofuel production (biodiesel and bioethanol), since electricity and heat may derive from non-agricultural sources as well, such as forestry and waste biomass. In 2005, 1.8 million hectares in Europe were destined to biofuel crops, oil crops in particular for "biodiesel" production. Nevertheless, in order to reach the 10% biofuel target foreseen by the "Impact assessment of the Renewable Energy Roadmap" (Commission of the European Communities, AGRI G-2/WM D, 2007) 17.5 million hectares of energy crops or 15% of the total arable land in the EU are required.At the present stage of development, the above-mentioned bioenergy chains can be fed by the most widespread crops cultivated in Italy (wheat, barley, corn, rapeseed, soybean, sunflower, grain sorghum, sugarbeet), with economic, technical and social strong points since these are traditional and consolidated crops. The most commonly adopted classification for bioenergy crops is based on the prevalent biomass usage: oil for biodiesel production, carbohydrates for fermentation for bioethanol production, lignocellulose for heat and el...
