• Energy Research

More than half of the global emissions due to energy use in agriculture derives from the combustion of fossil fuels to power tractors and machineries. Paying attention to energy sources and fossil fuels use in agriculture could offer significant opportunities for on-farm mitigation actions directly focused on CO2. With this regard, the reduction of fossil fuels, and the increasing use of energy sources which are not petroleum-based, are key factors for the development of energy security and the achievement of carbon emissions reduction in agriculture. In recent years, agricultural machinery manufacturers started investing in solutions powered by renewable energy sources and a first-generation of tractor prototypes fueled by e-fuel, biomethane or hydrogen, are currently under development. The present study aimed to investigate the actual adoption and intention to adopt alternative fuels to power agricultural machinery among Italian farmers, analyzing also the perceived barriers to adoption and their relationships with participants' sociodemographic characteristics. A questionnaire was administered to a sample of 409 Italian farmers asking them to indicate between e-fuel, biomethane and hydrogen which is the best alternative to fossil fuels in agriculture. Then, they were asked to rate their intention to adopt the selected energy source to power their machinery and the importance of barriers to adoption (costs, performance, safety, autonomy, refueling). Finally, they were asked if they had experience with agricultural machinery powered by alternative fuels. Results showed that the interest in using alternative energy machinery was higher for biomethane and e-fuel. Costs and refueling were perceived as themain barriers to adoption; Safety was indicated as a critical issue forhydrogen, while autonomy was relevant for e-fuel and biomethane. Furthermore, safety and refueling results correlated with the years of education. Implications for targeted interventions to support a wider adoption of these alternative fuels are discussed.

More than half of the global emissions due to energy use in agriculture derives from the combustion of fossil fuels to power tractors and machineries. Paying attention to energy sources and fossil fuels use in agriculture could offer significant opportunities for on-farm mitigation actions directly focused on CO2. With this regard, the reduction of fossil fuels, and the increasing use of energy sources which are not petroleum-based, are key factors for the development of energy security and the achievement of carbon emissions reduction in agriculture. In recent years, agricultural machinery manufacturers started investing in solutions powered by renewable energy sources and a first-generation of tractor prototypes fueled by e-fuel, biomethane or hydrogen, are currently under development. The present study aimed to investigate the actual adoption and intention to adopt alternative fuels to power agricultural machinery among Italian farmers, analyzing also the perceived barriers to adoption and their relationships with participants' sociodemographic characteristics. A questionnaire was administered to a sample of 409 Italian farmers asking them to indicate between e-fuel, biomethane and hydrogen which is the best alternative to fossil fuels in agriculture. Then, they were asked to rate their intention to adopt the selected energy source to power their machinery and the importance of barriers to adoption (costs, performance, safety, autonomy, refueling). Finally, they were asked if they had experience with agricultural machinery powered by alternative fuels. Results showed that the interest in using alternative energy machinery was higher for biomethane and e-fuel. Costs and refueling were perceived as themain barriers to adoption; Safety was indicated as a critical issue forhydrogen, while autonomy was relevant for e-fuel and biomethane. Furthermore, safety and refueling results correlated with the years of education. Implications for targeted interventions to support a wider adoption of these alternative fuels are discussed.

Composting is an aerobic process that involves the decomposition of the urban waste leading, in accordance with the paradigm of the circular economy, to a stabilized final product rich in fertilizer properties. However, adopting this organic fertilizer may encounter significant barriers since many users still associate compost from organic municipal solid waste (OMSWC) with environmental and health hazards like soil contamination and bad odour. In this context, conveying information about compost use and properties with the appropriate communication channels could help overcome misguided beliefs about OMSWC. The present study investigated which drivers would encourage compost adoption and how the frequency of information through specific sources could influence the interest in using compost among potential users. Three main drivers were identified by surveying 59 potential compost users: providing a certification to the product, receiving more information about the origin of the material, and obtaining evidence about its positive effects on soil. Statistical analysis showed a positive association between frequent use of magazines/advertising as an information source and users' interest in adopting compost. In addition, results pointed out that potential users with higher education levels (with bachelor's degree or above) are more likely to use OMSWC than others. In conclusion, the present study suggests that it would be appropriate to redefine targeted communication campaigns to promote the benefits associated with the compost application for agricultural purposes.

Composting is an aerobic process that involves the decomposition of the urban waste leading, in accordance with the paradigm of the circular economy, to a stabilized final product rich in fertilizer properties. However, adopting this organic fertilizer may encounter significant barriers since many users still associate compost from organic municipal solid waste (OMSWC) with environmental and health hazards like soil contamination and bad odour. In this context, conveying information about compost use and properties with the appropriate communication channels could help overcome misguided beliefs about OMSWC. The present study investigated which drivers would encourage compost adoption and how the frequency of information through specific sources could influence the interest in using compost among potential users. Three main drivers were identified by surveying 59 potential compost users: providing a certification to the product, receiving more information about the origin of the material, and obtaining evidence about its positive effects on soil. Statistical analysis showed a positive association between frequent use of magazines/advertising as an information source and users' interest in adopting compost. In addition, results pointed out that potential users with higher education levels (with bachelor's degree or above) are more likely to use OMSWC than others. In conclusion, the present study suggests that it would be appropriate to redefine targeted communication campaigns to promote the benefits associated with the compost application for agricultural purposes.

The need to mitigate climate change and the progressive fossil fuel exhaustion have engendered a great interest for renewable fuels. This boosted the demand for wood fuel in all industrialized Countries creating a considerable business opportunity for the different stakeholders of the forestry sector. To increase the efficiency of the entire wood fuel supply chain, it is necessary to reduce the cost of harvesting, processing and transportation. One possible way to cut the handling costs is the densification of the chips. This paper reports the results of a study conducted on the densification process of chips, with particular focus on the demand of energy required by the process and on the density achieved. The investigation has been carried out on chips from hybrid poplar (PC) chestnut (CC), and a mixture of spruce and eastern white pine (MC) at different pressures (20, 30, 50, 80 and 110 MPa). The study pointed out that average values for density ranges between 546-898, 559-1082 and 543-913 kg m-3 for PC, CC and MC respectively. Specific energy demand ranges between 22.5-58.1, 18.8-43.3 and 19.4-50.2 kJ kg-1 for PC, CC and MC respectively.

The need to mitigate climate change and the progressive fossil fuel exhaustion have engendered a great interest for renewable fuels. This boosted the demand for wood fuel in all industrialized Countries creating a considerable business opportunity for the different stakeholders of the forestry sector. To increase the efficiency of the entire wood fuel supply chain, it is necessary to reduce the cost of harvesting, processing and transportation. One possible way to cut the handling costs is the densification of the chips. This paper reports the results of a study conducted on the densification process of chips, with particular focus on the demand of energy required by the process and on the density achieved. The investigation has been carried out on chips from hybrid poplar (PC) chestnut (CC), and a mixture of spruce and eastern white pine (MC) at different pressures (20, 30, 50, 80 and 110 MPa). The study pointed out that average values for density ranges between 546-898, 559-1082 and 543-913 kg m-3 for PC, CC and MC respectively. Specific energy demand ranges between 22.5-58.1, 18.8-43.3 and 19.4-50.2 kJ kg-1 for PC, CC and MC respectively.

The present study aimed at investigating perceptions and preferences about the use and the chemical characteristics of pellets made from composted animal manure in a sample of Italian farmers and agricultural advisors (Piedmont region, Northwestern Italy). The study encompassed two different steps: At first, the participants were administered a questionnaire about their actual use of pellets and preferences about their chemical characteristics. Then, a subgroup participated into a hands-on experience with different pelletized animal manures and some final questions. Concerning the use of pellets made from composted animal manure, even if the participants affirmed to be interested in using organic pellets and declared to own the appropriate equipment needed for their application, the results indicated that pelletized compost utilization had not yet become a common practice for agricultural crops. The obtained results highlighted a lack of knowledge, especially among farmers, about the importance of some chemical properties of this pelletized organic material. The participants, both farmers and advisors, were particularly attracted by the total nitrogen content of organic pelletized fertilizers, probably because the supplying of nutrients, nitrogen particularly, is the function of fertilizers they were interested in the most due to its direct connection with crop production. The hands-on session allowed the participants to better understand the benefits of the principal chemical properties—organic matter and carbon to nitrogen ratio—of pelletized animal manure compost. On the other hand, organic matter content and carbon to nitrogen ratio, more related with biological fertility and biodiversity of soils, are immediately less interesting and, as the hands-on experience pointed out, require more effort to be appreciated by agricultural operators. Targeted information campaigns and training activities may be developed among the agricultural community to make them aware of the importance of increasing soil organic matter content, and the possible use of pelletized composted animal manure. Further studies should be addressed toward gaining more insights into the beneficial effects of the information and training activities for pelletized compost adoption.

The present study aimed at investigating perceptions and preferences about the use and the chemical characteristics of pellets made from composted animal manure in a sample of Italian farmers and agricultural advisors (Piedmont region, Northwestern Italy). The study encompassed two different steps: At first, the participants were administered a questionnaire about their actual use of pellets and preferences about their chemical characteristics. Then, a subgroup participated into a hands-on experience with different pelletized animal manures and some final questions. Concerning the use of pellets made from composted animal manure, even if the participants affirmed to be interested in using organic pellets and declared to own the appropriate equipment needed for their application, the results indicated that pelletized compost utilization had not yet become a common practice for agricultural crops. The obtained results highlighted a lack of knowledge, especially among farmers, about the importance of some chemical properties of this pelletized organic material. The participants, both farmers and advisors, were particularly attracted by the total nitrogen content of organic pelletized fertilizers, probably because the supplying of nutrients, nitrogen particularly, is the function of fertilizers they were interested in the most due to its direct connection with crop production. The hands-on session allowed the participants to better understand the benefits of the principal chemical properties—organic matter and carbon to nitrogen ratio—of pelletized animal manure compost. On the other hand, organic matter content and carbon to nitrogen ratio, more related with biological fertility and biodiversity of soils, are immediately less interesting and, as the hands-on experience pointed out, require more effort to be appreciated by agricultural operators. Targeted information campaigns and training activities may be developed among the agricultural community to make them aware of the importance of increasing soil organic matter content, and the possible use of pelletized composted animal manure. Further studies should be addressed toward gaining more insights into the beneficial effects of the information and training activities for pelletized compost adoption.