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Wastewater Reuse: An Economic Perspective to Identify Suitable Areas for Poplar Vegetation Filter Systems for Energy Production

Author

Listed:
  • Mauro Viccaro

    (School of Agricultural, Forestry, Food and Environmental Science—SAFE, University of Basilicata, Viale dell’Ateneo Lucano, 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy)

  • Mario Cozzi

    (School of Agricultural, Forestry, Food and Environmental Science—SAFE, University of Basilicata, Viale dell’Ateneo Lucano, 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy)

  • Donatella Caniani

    (School of Engineering, University of Basilicata, viale dell’Ateneo Lucano, 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy)

  • Salvatore Masi

    (School of Engineering, University of Basilicata, viale dell’Ateneo Lucano, 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy)

  • Ignazio M. Mancini

    (School of Engineering, University of Basilicata, viale dell’Ateneo Lucano, 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy)

  • Marianna Caivano

    (School of Engineering, University of Basilicata, viale dell’Ateneo Lucano, 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy)

  • Severino Romano

    (School of Agricultural, Forestry, Food and Environmental Science—SAFE, University of Basilicata, Viale dell’Ateneo Lucano, 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy)

Abstract

The increasing interest towards climate change, water and energy saving, and soil protection has led the research community to consider non-conventional water as a sustainable source for irrigation of energy crops. Vegetation filter systems are considered a reliable technique for sustainable biomass cultivation, enabling the use of reclaimed wastewater as water and nutrients sources during irrigation periods. In this study, a geographic information system (GIS)-based spatial model was developed to identify areas potentially suitable for creating vegetation filter systems with poplars to size the plants of energy production. An economic assessment allowed us to identify the cost-effectiveness areas for biomass production that can be fertigated by reclaimed wastewater. Considering the Basilicata region as the test region, a surface area of 258,512 ha was investigated, identifying 73,331 ha of SRF soils sited downstream of 45 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). However, considering only areas that have positive net present value and are economically attractive, results indicate 1606 ha of SRF falling within the areas of influence of 39 WWTPs. The results show that the sector of dedicated crops, adjacent and linked with WWTPs, expresses a total capacity of 50.56 MW for thermal, 8.25 MW for electricity, and 31 MW for cogeneration (25.07 MWt and 5.94 MWe) plants.

Suggested Citation

  • Mauro Viccaro & Mario Cozzi & Donatella Caniani & Salvatore Masi & Ignazio M. Mancini & Marianna Caivano & Severino Romano, 2017. "Wastewater Reuse: An Economic Perspective to Identify Suitable Areas for Poplar Vegetation Filter Systems for Energy Production," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(12), pages 1-14, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:9:y:2017:i:12:p:2161-:d:120086
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hendricks, Aaron M. & Wagner, John E. & Volk, Timothy A. & Newman, David H. & Brown, Tristan R., 2016. "A cost-effective evaluation of biomass district heating in rural communities," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 162(C), pages 561-569.
    2. Cozzi, Mario & Viccaro, Mauro & Di Napoli, Francesco & Fagarazzi, Claudio & Tirinnanzi, Alessandro & Romano, Severino, 2015. "A spatial analysis model to assess the feasibility of short rotation forestry fertigated with urban wastewater: Basilicata region case study," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 159(C), pages 185-196.
    3. Testa, Riccardo & Di Trapani, Anna Maria & Foderà, Mario & Sgroi, Filippo & Tudisca, Salvatore, 2014. "Economic evaluation of introduction of poplar as biomass crop in Italy," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 38(C), pages 775-780.
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    1. Viccaro, Mauro & Romano, Severino & Prete, Carmelina & Cozzi, Mario, 2021. "Rural planning? An integrated dynamic model for assessing quality of life at a local scale," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 111(C).
    2. Francesco Riccioli & Roberto Fratini & Claudio Fagarazzi & Mario Cozzi & Mauro Viccaro & Severino Romano & Duccio Rocchini & Salomon Espinosa Diaz & Clara Tattoni, 2020. "Mapping the Recreational Value of Coppices’ Management Systems in Tuscany," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-18, September.
    3. D’Oronzio, Maria Assunta & Sica, Carmela, 2021. "Innovation in Basilicata agriculture: From tradition to digital," Economia agro-alimentare / Food Economy, Italian Society of Agri-food Economics/Società Italiana di Economia Agro-Alimentare (SIEA), vol. 23(2), July.
    4. Riccioli, F. & Fratini, R. & Marone, E. & Fagarazzi, C. & Calderisi, M. & Brunialti, G., 2020. "Indicators of sustainable forest management to evaluate the socio-economic functions of coppice in Tuscany, Italy," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 70(C).
    5. Viccaro, Mauro & Caniani, Donatella & Masi, Salvatore & Romano, Severino & Cozzi, Mario, 2022. "Biofuels or not biofuels? The “Nexus Thinking” in land suitability analysis for energy crops," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 187(C), pages 1050-1064.

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