Comparative analysis of different alternatives for sustainable short rotation woody crops in Central Italy

Short rotation woody crops (SRWCs) can be a sustainable solution for producing biomass for bioenergy and, at the same time, mitigating CO₂ emissions. Although the contribution SRWCs can give to the transition to a low-carbon energy economy, farmers are hesitant to introduce them, as they have a low added value and there are uncertain economic prospects for cultivating SRWCs. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the economic sustainability of poplar woodchip production in Central Italy. Thus, the work compares three plantations, characterized by different durations (one year, two years, and five years) and harvesting systems, to identify the solution with the optimal duration. The results show that the quinquennial harvesting system is the most advantageous according to all the indicators, whereas the biennial performs the worst.