Energetic Potential of Apple Orchards in Europe in Terms of Mechanized Harvesting of Pruning Residues

One of the new sources of biomass acquisition for energetic purposes are apple orchards. In apple orchards the biomass is generated mainly during the regular tree pruning. In the paper the energetic potentials (theoretical, technical and economic) for 28 EU countries are determined. The analysis was performed basing on the Eurostat database and accepted assumptions as well as considering the application of mechanized harvesting technology of pruned residues. Taking into account the size distribution area of the apple orchards in Europe, pruning losses and high heating value of wooden material the results indicated that the total energetic potentials are: 29.11 PJ/year for theoretical, 22.50 PJ/year for technical and 18.63 PJ/year for economic. However, these potentials are significantly scattered in Europe and vary from 5.90 PJ/year in Poland (economic potential) to 0.00 PJ/year for Malta. Moreover, ten countries cover the available economic potential in height of 87%. Finally, it was underlined that before the application of the mechanized harvesting technology of the pruning residues in the orchard by the farmer, the economic and market demand analysis should be performed to evaluate the profitability and market expectation.