Tuscan R.E. Value Chains

• BIOENERGY VALUE CHAIN
  
  Biomass Energy Value Chain in Tuscany:
  A growing market segment is forming in Tuscany and business opportunities are on the rise:
  - Demand for bio-energy systems is stimulated via the Region's capital cost subsidies (up to 30-40%) available for SME/individuals (max 50.000 Euro - systems sized < 200 kWTh) and public bodies (systems sized < 1,000 kWTh).
  - The multinational Diester International has its plant for biodisel production in Livorno, one of the largest in Italy (250.000 T/year).
  - Over 40 Tuscan SMEs are active in the biofuels, biogas and solid biomass market segments, and deal with the whole value chian, from engineering to hardware manufacturing for biogas and biomass energy systems.
  - Metal Ref High Tech (Pistoia) manufactures and installes over 50 industrial (> 100 kW size) biomass furnaces per year.
  - Romana Maceri Centro Italia (Arezzo) engineers and manages used vegetable oils power plants and innovative biomass gassifiers coupled by multifuel engines.
  - Toscana Promozione has identified other market opportunities in the segments of innovative 2° generation cellulosic ethenol bio-refinery and in the value chain of biogas production from agro-residues and from waste streams.
  
  
  
• MINI WIND VALUE CHAIN
  
  Mini wind Value Chain in Tuscany:
  Tuscany has a nascent mini and micro wind systems cluster:
  - Demand for mini wind systems is stimulated and encouraged by the Regional incentives structure (i.e. 30% capital cost subsidy for mini wind systems of maximum 100kW, bank guarantees for systems < 250 kW).
  -Tuscany hosts over 30 SMEs engaged in the wind energy market as engineering firms, manufacturers, installers, or component suppliers, and nearly half of them deal with small or mini-systems.
  - Stock listed Pramac SpA is developing an innovative micro-wind system (0,5 kW) designed by Philippe Starck.
  - In 2007 Blu Mini Power (BMP) - of BluEnergy
  Group - has realized its manufacturing site in
  Larderello (Pisa) for its mini-wind systems.
  
  
  
• SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAICS VALUE CHAIN
  
  Tuscany: Solar PV Market Drivers:
  For renewable energy planning and promotion, Tuscany recently approved the Regional Energy Plan (PIER), which calls for the attainment of the European goal of satisfying 20% of 2020 total energy demand with REES.
  
  SOLAR PV ENERGY POLICY GOALS (PIER, 2008):
  Regional Installed Capacity before PIER approval= 7.9 MW
  Additional Installed Capacity by 2020= 150 MW
  Solar PV Electricity Production= 200 GWh
  Forecast sector investments by 2020= € 975 mln.
  
  Perspectives for market development in Tuscany
  - R&D: Potential for spin-off of R&D in industrial ventures: Margheri Group (Florence) is developing novel solar PV-thermalconcentrators for building applications.
  Siena Solar Nanotech (Siena) is developing a novel thin film solarcell technology for applications on metal surfaces.
  - Manufacturing: Solar Modules: some potential for concentrated solar PV technology & innovative thin film cells Components: some potential for mnfg. of electronics and trackersin synergy with Tuscan mechanics and electronics industrial areas.
  -Design & installation of plants: over 60 market operators in
  system design-installation many of which are active in module and components distribution: fair potential for expansion of business capacity of local enterprises or international newcomers.
  -Energy generation: Significant potential for PV parks
  developers/investors.