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This economic analysis contains a case study for a 100 ha apple orchard where a pruning-to-energy (PtE) strategy is employed. Technical aspects of pruned biomass harvesting in apple orchards are outlined, with emphasis on the efficient harvesting of pruning residues using a dedicated baling machine. Economic aspects are approached using economic performance metrics such as the net present value (NPV) and internal rate of return (IRR). It is found, for a 10-year project on the 100 ha orchard, that the NPV is €5650, the IRR is 8.71% and the payback time is about 8.0 years. Sensitivity analysis revealed that the economic metrics are highly influenced by the quantity of prunings, orchard area, and the price of pruning residues at the final user. The distance from the orchard to the final user (6 km in the analysed case) and orchard labour costs are both less impactful. The analysis shows that pruned biomass harvesting is technologically feasible in apple orchards, while the obtained values of the economic metrics indicate the economic feasibility of such bioenergy solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A side product emerging during apple orchard cultivation is pruned biomass, which may be used for energetic purposes. As Poland is the third largest producer of apples in the world, it is crucial to estimate the annual energetic potential of branches from apple tree pruning. In this paper, the theoretical, technical and economic potential of cut branches for energy production with distribution according to provinces (Voivodeships) is determined. Based on literature reviews and our own measurements the amount of produced branches was estimated to be 3.5 Mg-ha-1-year-1. It was shown, that the energetic potential of pruned biomass from apple trees in Poland is in the range of 7.9-12.5 PJ-year-1. Moreover, the abundance of that potential depends on the province and for a single Voivodeship, may vary from 0.04 PJ-year-1 up to 4.8 PJ-year-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]