Conceptual vision of bioenergy sector development in Mediterranean regions based on decentralized thermochemical systems

A conceptual vision of gasification and pyrolysis systems, fueled with agro-residues and agro-industrial by-products, is discussed in this study. The aim is to plan actual implementations and possible developments of bioenergy in Mediterranean rural regions, towards accelerating the transition to post-fossil fuels regions, with self-sustainability. The study is an integrate approach of bioenergy systems, it discusses the issue of supply and availability, the methods to estimate them, it sheds light to thermochemical processes feedstocks implications, incorporates general sustainability issues and proposes model for accelerating the bioenergy applications in Mediterranean countries, which are facing an economic crisis. Various agricultural residues of Mediterranean areas were analyzed; their characteristics found to be almost similar, due to similar climate conditions of growth. This allows to vision a bioenergy development, based on small tailor-made decentralized systems, fueled with mixed feedstocks. The discussed approach of combining pyrolysis for renewable energy generation and biochar production to be used as soil amendment, can offer an attractive strategy towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions and closing the loop in agriculture. This approach can boost sustainable development in rural areas, enhance the potential of efficient decentralized bioenergy systems and promote the creation of diversified productive activities (green-business) in the agricultural sector, in strict connection with branches of green-industrial companies, while closing the loop from agriculture back to agriculture.