Circular economy and the benefits of biomass as a renewable energy source

In this paper the use of olive oil biomass waste as a secondary raw material for the production of Energy is studied. In fact the olive pomace can be transformed by means of composting and/or anaerobic digestion processes from a refuse to a resource. By exploiting this waste it is possible not only to reduce the quantity of waste, but it could also be a potential source of additional revenue for the entrepreneur and an undeniable stimulus for the territory's development. This paper is written with the help of F.A.T. Snc, a Sicilian family-owned oil mill, and with the entrepreneur Giuseppe Borzì, who represents the third generation of this family business. The business is focused on the olive growing and olive cold pressing, as well as on the production of wine and soaps. The entrepreneur is also interested in the development of new systems for the exploitation of the olive pomace, which is currently sold, but could be used as an ecological fuel for energy production. Unfortunately, biomass is often understimated in the reality of today's renewable energy sources, as it has low energy density, yet it is nonetheless very interesting since it represents the triumph of circular economy.