Optimitation of wood chip supply chain in the Italian Alps

Operational efficiency in forestry is defined as the efficient utilization and economical management of forest resources. The present work aims to evaluate the operational efficiency in wood forest chips supply chain in an alpine contest. Wood chips availability is related to ordinary forest operations and it is evaluated in relation to logging residues and un-merchantable logs availability after planned harvesting and logging operations. Evaluation about the most realistic availability of un-merchantable logs for energy production is based on analysis of previous forest utilization data. Further analysis concerns forest operations cost and working site features according to forest road net and terrain characteristics. Geospatial analysis is thus applied in order to define supply cost according to transport cost. Thus forest biomass suitable to be used as wood fuel is determined and classified according to supply cost and wood fuel quality. Geospatial informations are used then to define the supply plan up to three years. Supply plan will be investigated according to supply cost, yearly available amount and wood chips quality.