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This Milestone, namely M3.3, is part of Task 3.3 “Downscaling of future climate projections at the case-study scale and their transfer to the Partners”. The aim of M3.3 is to outline the results of the climate change evaluation over the investigated pilot sites. For the future projections of the climate variables (precipitation and temperature), the data provided by EURO-CORDEX initiative under two emission scenarios (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) are used. The main information on the pilot sites, available data, analyses and results are presented. The data are freely downloadable from the web repository https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7247977. This project is part of the PRIMA Programme supported by the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under Grant Agreement No 1923.

This Milestone, namely M3.3, is part of Task 3.3 “Downscaling of future climate projections at the case-study scale and their transfer to the Partners”. The aim of M3.3 is to outline the results of the climate change evaluation over the investigated pilot sites. For the future projections of the climate variables (precipitation and temperature), the data provided by EURO-CORDEX initiative under two emission scenarios (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) are used. The main information on the pilot sites, available data, analyses and results are presented. The data are freely downloadable from the web repository https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7247977. This project is part of the PRIMA Programme supported by the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under Grant Agreement No 1923.

Lignite-fired power plants in Northern Greece produce about 50% of the electricity and account for nearly 60% of the allocated CO2 emissions. The implementation of biomass co-firing is considered a cost effective and efficient method for minimizing GHG emissions. However, despite a favorable legislative framework, co-firing in Greece has not progressed since low lignite costs and distance of power plants from harbor facilities limit access to internationally traded solid biomass. The improvement and optimization of local biomass supply chains is thus a strategic priority in the national context. The purpose of the present work is to present preliminary investigations of a wheat straw supply chain for a Greek lignite-fired power plant to be converted into biomass co-firing operation. On¬field demonstration data are analyzed in order to estimate costs for supply chains involving either pelletized straw or straw bales. Information of energy consumption is also presented for different cases and GHG emissions calculated according to the methodology of (COM 2010)11. Results indicate that the cost of straw delivered at the power plant varies depending on whether pelletization is included as a supply chain step. Overall, over short distances, transfer of baled biomass is more economic and results in lower GHG emissions, however the increase in the cost of the supply chain suggest that a pelletization step should be considered for longer distances. The transport cost of the supply chain also depends on whether the vehicles are assumed to return empty at their starting point or loaded. Also, compared to imported or domestic wood pellets, straw pellets have lower prices and could be more attractive to plant operators. Long-term fuel contracts are essential in order to ensure the financial viability of co-firing, especially if a reduction in the feed-in tariff is expected. Proceedings of the 20th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition, 18-22 June 2012, Milan, Italy, pp. 136-142

Lignite-fired power plants in Northern Greece produce about 50% of the electricity and account for nearly 60% of the allocated CO2 emissions. The implementation of biomass co-firing is considered a cost effective and efficient method for minimizing GHG emissions. However, despite a favorable legislative framework, co-firing in Greece has not progressed since low lignite costs and distance of power plants from harbor facilities limit access to internationally traded solid biomass. The improvement and optimization of local biomass supply chains is thus a strategic priority in the national context. The purpose of the present work is to present preliminary investigations of a wheat straw supply chain for a Greek lignite-fired power plant to be converted into biomass co-firing operation. On¬field demonstration data are analyzed in order to estimate costs for supply chains involving either pelletized straw or straw bales. Information of energy consumption is also presented for different cases and GHG emissions calculated according to the methodology of (COM 2010)11. Results indicate that the cost of straw delivered at the power plant varies depending on whether pelletization is included as a supply chain step. Overall, over short distances, transfer of baled biomass is more economic and results in lower GHG emissions, however the increase in the cost of the supply chain suggest that a pelletization step should be considered for longer distances. The transport cost of the supply chain also depends on whether the vehicles are assumed to return empty at their starting point or loaded. Also, compared to imported or domestic wood pellets, straw pellets have lower prices and could be more attractive to plant operators. Long-term fuel contracts are essential in order to ensure the financial viability of co-firing, especially if a reduction in the feed-in tariff is expected. Proceedings of the 20th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition, 18-22 June 2012, Milan, Italy, pp. 136-142

The Index of Sustainable Functionality (ISF) makes it possible to analyse domains and the sustainability of multiple systems from various perspectives. This paper uses available household wealth and income data to calculate the resource rich state of Western Australia's ISF from different wealth level perspectives. How wealth inequity may affect the stability of major systems including the social, terrestrial, water and mineral industry are discussed as are reasons behind recent changes in wealth distribution. The ISF results show that from the perspective of society's richest 20%, poorest 20%, mean wealth households and the environment, system decline has occurred over the past 20 years, even as the economy reached full functionality. Suggestions to improve functionality and long-term stability are made, with the major suggestion the introduction of a fund modelled on Norway's sovereign wealth fund.

The Index of Sustainable Functionality (ISF) makes it possible to analyse domains and the sustainability of multiple systems from various perspectives. This paper uses available household wealth and income data to calculate the resource rich state of Western Australia's ISF from different wealth level perspectives. How wealth inequity may affect the stability of major systems including the social, terrestrial, water and mineral industry are discussed as are reasons behind recent changes in wealth distribution. The ISF results show that from the perspective of society's richest 20%, poorest 20%, mean wealth households and the environment, system decline has occurred over the past 20 years, even as the economy reached full functionality. Suggestions to improve functionality and long-term stability are made, with the major suggestion the introduction of a fund modelled on Norway's sovereign wealth fund.

Poplar is largely utilized in Short Rotation Forestry (SRF) plantations for energy purposes. Its cultivation can produce environmental benefits but requires the availability of water and nutrients. Because of environmental and energetic implications of production and use of water and fertilizers, it’s important to test the efficiency of yield also without these costly cultivation practices. Within SUSCACE Project (funded by MiPAAF) in 2009 a trial was established near Casale Monferrato, Italy, with Populus ×canadensis ‘Imola’, to compare SRC models and treatments: 2-year rotation, very high density (8333 trees·ha-1) - vSRC, and 5-year rotation, high density (1111 trees·ha-1) - SRC. Fertilization(F) and irrigation(I) effects were applied with two levels, fertilized – not fertilized, irrigated-not irrigated. Data of five years of growth are available. SRC is the model most productive during this period. Within treatments the difference in yield is due to irrigation, that increases the productions about of 120%; fertilization had no effect. The water availability remains the key factor for a good production. However, to reduce the costs of cultivation ensuring the availability of water, other studies are ongoing to improve the application of wastewater that combines the purification of water and the production of biomass. Proceedings of the 23rd European Biomass Conference and Exhibition, 1-4 June 2015, Vienna, Austria, pp. 214-218

Poplar is largely utilized in Short Rotation Forestry (SRF) plantations for energy purposes. Its cultivation can produce environmental benefits but requires the availability of water and nutrients. Because of environmental and energetic implications of production and use of water and fertilizers, it’s important to test the efficiency of yield also without these costly cultivation practices. Within SUSCACE Project (funded by MiPAAF) in 2009 a trial was established near Casale Monferrato, Italy, with Populus ×canadensis ‘Imola’, to compare SRC models and treatments: 2-year rotation, very high density (8333 trees·ha-1) - vSRC, and 5-year rotation, high density (1111 trees·ha-1) - SRC. Fertilization(F) and irrigation(I) effects were applied with two levels, fertilized – not fertilized, irrigated-not irrigated. Data of five years of growth are available. SRC is the model most productive during this period. Within treatments the difference in yield is due to irrigation, that increases the productions about of 120%; fertilization had no effect. The water availability remains the key factor for a good production. However, to reduce the costs of cultivation ensuring the availability of water, other studies are ongoing to improve the application of wastewater that combines the purification of water and the production of biomass. Proceedings of the 23rd European Biomass Conference and Exhibition, 1-4 June 2015, Vienna, Austria, pp. 214-218

Green ammonia is gaining momentum as a globally significant technology for deep decarbonisation. In this thesis, several models are developed across chemical, techno-economic, and energy system modelling disciplines to explore the future role of green ammonia. First, standalone models of production (i.e., power-to-ammonia) and re-electrification (i.e., ammonia-to-power) are developed and compared to competing technologies. Second, these models are integrated into a planning and dispatch energy system model (ESM) of India to 2050. The ESM has several novel additions including the sector coupling of hydrogen and ammonia, multiple years of granular weather data, and learning-curve-based technology cost forecasts. India is chosen as an ideal case study given its globally unmatched demand growth in all three relevant sectors: electricity, green hydrogen, and green ammonia. The projected electricity demands for green hydrogen and ammonia production account for 25% of the total Indian electricity demand in 2050, underscoring the transformational potential that green hydrogen and ammonia sector coupling can have on the Indian energy system. The results of the state-of-the-art ESM highlight synergistic effects of hydrogen and ammonia sector coupling with the power system. The least-cost system employs seasonal green ammonia production paired with up to 40 million tonnes (i.e., 200 TWh) of ammonia storage, as well as some re-electrification via gas turbines. Sector coupling reduces system curtailment, addresses challenges of long-duration storage, and improves system resilience to interannual weather variations. While India is a crucial case study from a global decarbonisation perspective, the methodology and findings are generally applicable, and it is the aim of this work to motivate and accelerate the wider research community into considering the potential impacts of green ammonia sector coupling on electricity grid design. Finally, this work highlights strategic technology development direction for ammonia producers and gas turbine manufacturers, as well as implications for policymakers.