Title: Potentials of biomass production in the region of Central Macedonia in Northern Greece

Authors: Christina Moulogianni; Georgios Banias; Thomas Bournaris; Thomas Kotsopoulos

Addresses: Department of Agricultural Economics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 541 24, Greece ' Institute for Bio-Economy and Agri-Technology, Centre for Research and Technology - Hellas, 57001 Thermi, Thessaloniki, Greece ' Department of Agricultural Economics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 541 24, Greece ' Department of Hydraulics, Soil Science and Agricultural Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 541 24, Greece

Abstract: The aim of the study is to examine the potentials of biomass production in the region of Central Macedonia (RCM) in Northern Greece. For this reason the crop plans of the seven regional units of the RCM were analysed. The final goal is to select the optimal crop plan between the seven regional units as a pilot case for biomass production. The main indicators that were analysed are the farm income, the gross margin, the residual biomass, the variable costs, and the cogeneration of thermal and electrical energy. Alongside a technical and economic analysis of the study area was conducted for the existent crop plans of each regional unit. The main findings of the study are the biomass potential for the seven regional units of the region of Central Macedonia and the optimal crop plan for producing biomass from agricultural residues. The results show that crop plans with cereals and arable crops have better results than crop plans with fruit trees and other crops.

Keywords: biomass production; indicators; energy.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSAMI.2017.090603

International Journal of Sustainable Agricultural Management and Informatics, 2017 Vol.3 No.4, pp.258 - 270

Received: 16 Aug 2017
Accepted: 02 Oct 2017
Published online: 23 Mar 2018 *

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