Bioeconomy-Oriented Business Models for Biomass-Based Energy Communities: A Systematic Review

The transition towards a circular bioeconomy requires business models that enable cascading biomass use, local valorisation, and resilient low-carbon energy provision. In this context, energy communities offer a suitable organisational setting by supporting collective action, mobilising local investment, and capturing value from biomass residues and bioenergy co-products. This paper synthesises peer-reviewed evidence and develops a morphological typology structured around four dimensions: technological orientation, governance structures, actor configurations, and market orientation. The findings suggest that biomass-centred models can enhance circular bioeconomy outcomes by linking waste-to-resource loops with local energy autonomy. However, their effectiveness depends on adaptive governance, cross-sector collaboration, and enabling policy frameworks to address investment, coordination, and market risks. The main contribution is a replicable typology that supports both strategic design and comparative assessment across diverse regulatory and territorial contexts.