The course explores the role of bio-based processes and technologies in the context of the Southern European Mediterranean Countries, as well as in EU, Italy and Third Countries cooperation. The shift to more sustainable energy and economic models based on bioeconomy and renewable energies is getting momentum, under the pressure of policy measures (UN SDGs, Renewable and Waste / Circular Economy Directives, EU Green Deal, FitFor55) and the need to quickly decarbonise global economies, moving towards new and circular models. Bioenergy is a leading element in this change, and part of Bioeconomy. The Mediterranean area, as well as many Third Countries and in particular the Arican region, share common environmental and socio-economic problems, as desertification and marginalization of land, lack of water, and their economic activities are affected by lack or expensive energy. Similarly, the availability of products becomes limited, and circularity not implemented. Biomass feedstocks can offer a multitude of opportunities and solutions, most of which subject of the present course, where these will be explored in terms of technical, environmental and economic characteristics. Soil health and the link to Energy, Carbon and Fertilisers markets will be shortly examined. A special focus will be given to hard-to-decarbonize sectors, as Aviation, Maritime, Heavy Duty and Steel making. Following an introduction to the agroclimatic, social and soil conditions typical of the MED area and selected Third Countries (with a special focus to Africa), the first part of the course will introduce the various biomass feedstocks, and the basic concepts of bioenergy, biorefining, circularity and overall bioeconomy. Processes and technologies will be screened, examining the critical elements in view of their introduction in the target areas. The concept of “appropriate” solutions will be explored. Then, in the second part a techno-economic and environmental analysis of some selected options will be treated, aiming at the identification of benefits and constraints. Among these, aspects as the link between energy availability and socioeconomic development, carbon and fertilizers markets, soil, climate, water-food energy nexus, sustainability, life-cycle assessment, and some further case studies will be examined.

By the end of the course, students are expected to understand the main characteristics of bioenergy and bioeconomy solutions and opportunities suited for the EU MED and Third Countries. They will be able to carry out a critical assessment of each solution in a specific context, evaluating the techno-economic performances and the main environmental and social impacts. They will learn how to compare the different systems, also achieving a first understanding of the soil-biomass relation, being soil the most critical non-renewable resource for the EU MED area, as well as the fundamentals of Carbon markets.

A basic knowledge on energy generation systems is requested, both fossil and renewable.

Part 1 – Climate change and Soil 1. Climate change and the EU MED area 2. Desertification, Soil, Water: the impact on environment and economic activities in EU MED Part 2 – Circular Bioeconomy: Biomass, Bioenergy and Bio-based products 1. Introduction to bioeconomy: setting the scene 2. Bio-based and Recycled Carbon fuels and products a. Feedstocks, sustainability, policies, cascade use b. Alternative fuels for road, maritime and aviation sectors: differences and commonalities. c. Biobased products: main routes to polymers, feed, fertilizers, materials d. Biorefining: main production pathways 3. Biomass feedstocks a. biomass, residues and wastes b. sustainable agronomic models: cover and catch cropping, agroforestry c. biomass pretreatments 4. Bioenergy Conversion Processes and Technologies for the MED area a. Thermochemical conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into fuels and products i.Slow Pyrolysis for Biochar production ii.Fast Pyrolysis for Biocrudes iii.Gasification to liquid and gaseous fuels iv.Methane Pyrolysis b. Lipid conversion into fuels and products i. HVO and HEFA ii.Oleochemicals and bopolymers c. Biological conversion: pre-treatments, processes, and technologies i. Conventional and Advanced processing into alcohols and other products ii. Algae and microbial oils iii. Anaerobic Digestion to gas and organic digestate for soil health 5. Bioeconomy, Soil and Energy-Water-Food Nexus 6. Carbon markets 7. Technologies for EU MED and Third Countries a. Framing the selection and use of technologies appropriate for local contexts b. Selected case studies, invited speakers and seminars Part 3 – Sustainability and socio-economic aspects 1. Sustainability analysis: hints on LCA and SGDs’ assessment 2. Energy and socio-economic/rural development: the Bioeconomy/Bioenergy/Circular Economy route 3. Potential impacts in EU MED and Third Countries

Applied lectures and practice tutorials with problem-sets and exercises.

Teaching material provided by the instructor.

Modalità di esame: Prova orale facoltativa; Prova scritta in aula tramite PC con l'utilizzo della piattaforma di ateneo;

Exam: Optional oral exam; Computer-based written test in class using POLITO platform;

... Computer-based written exam using the PoliTo platform, or oral examination (at discretion of the professor, depending on number of students).

Gli studenti e le studentesse con disabilità o con Disturbi Specifici di Apprendimento (DSA), oltre alla segnalazione tramite procedura informatizzata, sono invitati a comunicare anche direttamente al/la docente titolare dell'insegnamento, con un preavviso non inferiore ad una settimana dall'avvio della sessione d'esame, gli strumenti compensativi concordati con l'Unità Special Needs, al fine di permettere al/la docente la declinazione più idonea in riferimento alla specifica tipologia di esame.