SUSTAINABLE USE OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES: OPTIMIZATION OF LOGISTICS OPERATIONS - Energy Research Developments: Tidal Energy, Energy Efficiency and Solar Energy - page 266

whole series of benefits that range from the production of renewable source energy, to the
constant and programmed maintenance of the territory, and to the improvement of the
occupational level of the area under concern.
The study area is represented by a territory belonging to two different Mountain
Communities: Val Bormida and Val Pollupice. Such territory has a high tree density index
(with respect to Italian tree densities), and has some industrial activities linked to wood-use
and producing scraps that can be burnt in the plant.
The first step has been the analysis of the specific areas, within the considered territory,
that should be exploited to collect biomasses. Through GIS tools the parcels centroids have
been identified, and different data have been associated (area, slope, biomass quantity and
growth parameters). Figure 2.2 reports the communes that are included in the study. The
whole area considered is partially in Val Bormida (Bardineto, Bormida, Calizzano, Mallare,
Murialdo, Origlia, Pallare), and partially in Val Pollupice (Calice Ligure, Magliolo, Orco
Feglino, Rialto). The overall area of the communes in the considered territory is about 32000
hectares . In figure 2.2a, the forest parcels in the considered territory are indicated. However,
not all the forest parcels can be considered. For example in figure 2.2b the areas under
legislative constraints (because of natural parks and protected areas) have been eliminated.
The area of the remaining forest parcels is about 20000 hectares .
Figure 2.2a. Forest parcels present on the territory.