Utilisation of Woody Waste from Wine Production for Energy Purposes Depending on the Place of Cultivation

Abstract

Orchard crops generate substantial quantities of diverse biomass each year, with grapevines being among the most economically significant species worldwide. Considering the scale of this biomass, there is a growing need to explore rational strategies for its utilisation, for example, for energy production or other value-added applications. Such approaches may contribute to improving resource efficiency and reducing the environmental burden associated with agricultural waste. The aim of this study was to examine the energy potential of woody post-production waste from wine processing, with particular emphasis on grape stems of four cultivars-Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot, and Zweigelt-grown in two contrasting climatic regions: south-eastern Poland and Moravia (Czech Republic). The results demonstrated that both the grape variety and cultivation site significantly influenced the majority of bunch biometric traits, including bunch and berry weight, berry number, and stem dimensions. A moderately warm climate promoted the development of larger and heavier bunches as well as more robust stems across all examined cultivars. Energy analyses indicated that Zweigelt stems produced under moderately warm conditions and Chardonnay stems from a temperate climate exhibited the most favourable combustion properties. Nonetheless, certain constraints were identified, such as increased ash (12.20%) and moisture content (11.51%) in Chardonnay grown in warmer conditions, and elevated CO and CO2 emissions observed for Zweigelt (1333.26 kg.mgMINUS SIGN 1). Overall, the findings confirm that grape stems constitute a promising local source of bioenergy, with their energy performance determined predominantly by varietal characteristics and climatic factors. Their utilisation aligns with circular-economy principles and may help reduce the environmental impacts associated with traditional viticultural waste management.