Micro-scale energy valorization of grape marcs in winery production plants

•BioMethane Potential of grape marcs was investigated.•Grape marcs were characterized to realize a micro-scale energy recovery.•Comparative BMP batch-tests utilizing lab-scale reactors were performed.•Biogas valorization by grape marcs anaerobic digestion at small scale is evaluated.

The Biochemical Methane Potential (BMP) of winery organic waste, with reference to two Italian red and white grapes (i.e. Nero Buono and Greco) by-products was investigated. The study was carried out to verify the possibility to reduce the production impact in a green-waste-management-chain-perspective. The possibility to efficiently utilize wine-related-by-products for energy production at a micro-scale (i.e. small-medium scale winery production plant) was also verified. Results showed as a good correlation can be established between the percentage of COD removal and the biogas production, as the winery can produce, from its waste methanization, about 7800 kW h year−1 electrical and 8900 kW h year−1 thermal. A critical evaluation was performed about the possibility to utilize the proposed approach to realize an optimal biomass waste management and an energetic valorization in a local-energy-production-perspective.