Alessandro Pracucci

XXX Cycle - (A.A. 2014-2015)

IDAUP
Home Institution: University of Ferrara
Scholarship (bound research topic)
Curriculum: Architecture (ICAR12)
Research Topic: Smart Biogas Grid
Tutor DA-UNIFE: Prof. Theo Zaffagnini
Tutor Polis University: Prof. Luljeta Bozo
External Expert: Giacomo Bizzarri
Nationality: Italian
Email: alessandro.pracucci@unife.it

Profile

Biography
Alessandro Pracucci - (October 17, 1987) PhD in Architecture and Urban Planning (Unife – Polis University) and MArch (Unife). After graduation cum laude at the University of Ferrara with a thesis on Educational Sustainable Design for users with Specific Learning Disorders, he has been involved in educational activities in the second year within Architecture Technology Laboratory of Architectural Master Degree; since 2015 he is lecturer in teaching support activities. Following various working experiences in architecture firms, at national and international level, he was enrolled in the International Doctoral Program in Architecture and Urban Planning (IDAUP), with a research on urban district energy efficiency through the exploitation of bio-waste for biogas production. The thesis was evaluated excellent and with laude by the final exam commissions. He is author of different articles in national journal and papers in international congresses.

Research skills
architectural technology | energy efficiency | sustainability | urban district | complex system management

Scientific activities

ORCID ID:
0000-0003-0877-1283

IRIS UNIFE ID:
rp01523

Doctoral research

Smart Biogas Grid: biogas utilization to operate diffused micro-generation solutions in urban areas through the bio-waste exploitation

‘Smart Biogas Grid’ investigates the potential, the opportunity and the applicability of biogas technological systems as renewable energy source within urban district. The research uses a multi and inter-disciplinary approach inside a systemic view to analyze aspects that affect biogas promotion and diffusion within existing urban patterns. Urban biogas involves considerations that, starting from bio-waste separated collection of household waste, garden waste and wastewater, sets solution to use biogas as energy vector suitable to activate processes of local engagement with results in environmental, energy, normative, technological, social and economic fields. The result of the research is the promotion of a systemic vision in which biogas technological components set a valuable network of actions, relations and skills that modify district and its community. ‘Smart Biogas Grid’ is a technological innovation system that directs the promotion of a socio-technical transition using local material and immaterial resources, supporting stakeholders with decision-making tool. The research defines a complex system of relations and interconnections, a set of features included in a predesign tool that support biogas system among the possible stakeholders – institutions, local communities, associations, single citizens, local business activities. The ‘Smart Biogas Grid’ aims at promoting a new concept of energy model that increases people awareness and involvement in urban metabolism and circular economy through the use of bio-waste.

Keywords
Biogas | Smart Grid | Technological Innovation System | social innovation | bio-waste