82464 - Bioenergy And Biorefinery

Learning outcomes

Knowledge gain on challenges, constrains and benefits from developing bioenergy and biorefinery agro-systems at national and international levels. Examples of projects and applications of bioenergy and biorefineries with particular focus on biomass crops and environmental impacts.

Course contents

Prerequisites: students should possess foundational knowledge in general agronomy and field crop sciences.

Contents of the Theoretical Teaching Unit (36 hours): definition of green refining (biorefinery), bioenergy, biogas, biofuels, biomass, etc. Overview of bioenergy and biorefineries within national and international contexts. Agronomic management of the main crops for bioenergy (including biofuels) and biorefineries. Practical examples of integrated cropping systems combining traditional food crops and new industrial crops for energy and natural monomer production. Analysis of agro-energy systems: general principles of Life Cycle Thinking (LCT) for sustainability assessment in accordance with specific European directives (RED III, SAF, etc.). Development potential of biorefinery supply chains in marginal and degraded areas (including phytoremediation). Skills Acquired in the theoretical Teaching Unit: Students gain a broad knowledge of the agro-energy and biorefinery sector, deepening their understanding of the agronomic aspects related to newly introduced crops in different environmental contexts. They are able to develop agronomic strategies that respect sustainability constraints in accordance with current regulations.

Contents of the Practical Teaching Unit (24 hours): field visits to the experimental plots of the University of Bologna's Agricultural Farm to observe ongoing agronomic trials on crops for bioenergy and biorefineries. Educational visit to an industry in the sector as an example of a commercially implemented supply chain. Organization of working groups to explore current and relevant topics related to bioenergy and biorefineries. Skills Acquired in the Practical Teaching Unit: Knowledge of the main biomass species for energy and biorefinery purposes. Criteria for selecting species within specific agro-industrial supply chains for energy and biorefinery applications.

Readings/Bibliography

Slides provided by the lecturer and additional supplementary materials are uploaded on the University of Bologna’s Virtuale platform. Access to Virtuale is granted to all students enrolled in the course without requiring any password.

Teaching methods

Face-to-face lectures, semininars led by industry experts, visits to the experimental fields of the University Agricultural Farm, and a visit to an industrial facility in the sector are organized to observe firsthand the crops and the implementation of the supply chains studied in class at a commercial scale. In addition, working groups are formed to deepen and discuss topics of great relevance and interest concerning bioenergy and biorefineries, using a peer-instruction approach. Considering the types of activities and teaching methods adopted, attendance for this educational activity requires: completion of Modules 1 and 2 in e-learning mode by all enrolled students, in accordance with the guidelines on safety and health in study and internship locations. You can find more information here: https://www.unibo.it/it/servizi-e-opportunita/salute-e-assistenza/salute-e-sicurezza/sicurezza-e-salute-nei-luoghi-di-studio-e-tirocinio], and the participation in Module 3, which is specific training on safety and health in study environments. Dates and details for attending Module 3 are available in the relevant section of the degree program’s website.

Assessment methods

The assessment consists of two parts: i) an oral interview based on three open-ended questions; ii) a group presentation.

The open-ended questions can earn a total of up to 24 points; the presentation is graded up to 8 points and will be added to the interview score only if the latter is equal to or greater than 18. The maximum total score obtainable from the assessment (interview + presentation) is therefore 32 points (24 + 8), which corresponds to a grade of 30 with honors.

The presentation consists of an oral report on a topic agreed upon with the instructor, delivered by a group of up to 3 students. The total duration of the presentation must not exceed 20 minutes. Each student presents a portion of the topic. The presentation is evaluated as a whole, based on its content and the quality of both presentation and discussion. All members of the same group will receive the same score (e.g., if the presentation is awarded 8 points, each member of the group will receive 8 points to be added to the interview score if it is 18 or higher).

Teaching tools

Students with disabilities may contact the instructor to arrange for any appropriate teaching support tools.

Office hours

See the website of Andrea Monti