Biomass and natural gas cofiring strategies for optimal integration of bioenergy into urban energy systems

Bioenergy technology development is widely recognized as a key step for the society to shift towards more sustainable energy provision systems and reaching decarbonization targets. Improving efficiency of urban energy systems is of crucial importance and biomass is a promising source to reach these objectives. However, several drawbacks and trade-offs need to be taken simultaneously into account within urban energy systems optimal design. This paper presents an integrated resource modeling framework to help managing the transition towards more sustainable energy systems in urban context, identifying the best choice in terms of conversion technologies, fuel sources, distribution networks. The integration of energy services (i.e. the use of combined heat and power systems) and of biomass-based fuels within the existing fossils infrastructures are addressed as promising alternatives to reach sustainability targets.