Supply of logging residues for energy production. A GIS-based study in New Zealand and in Italy

In forest area potential of wood biomass for heat and energy production is considerable and in those areas forest logging residues mainly represent wood biomass resource for energetic purpose. Biomass supplies, intermediate and final storage, delivery to heating power plants represent the biomass-energy chain. Geographical location of the biomass supplies is one of the most important features of this chain and analysis methodologies based on a GIS (Geographical Information System) for evaluating biomass availability show a great potential. Allocation of biomass potentials from forest residues and its supply cost is based on an analysis of different data collected from land use database, cartographies, transport network and DEM (Digital Elevation Model). The methodology developed is based on a GIS network analysis and following data elaborated by a specific tool to establish the final supply cost at the plant.