Planning woody biomass logistics for energy production: A strategic decision model

Abstract

One of the key factors on which the sustainable development of modern society should be
\nbased is the possibility to take advantage of renewable energies. Biomass resources are one
\nof the most common and widespread resources in the world. Their use to produce energy
\nhas many advantages, such as the reduction of greenhouse emissions. This paper
\ndescribes a GIS-based Environmental Decision Support System (EDSS) to define planning
\nand management strategies for the optimal logistics for energy production from woody
\nbiomass, such as forest biomass, agricultural scraps and industrial and urban untreated
\nwood residues. The EDSS is characterized by three main levels: the GIS, the database, and
\nthe optimization. The optimization module is divided in three sub-modules to face
\ndifferent kinds of decision problems: strategic planning, tactical planning, and operational
\nmanagement. The aim of this article is to describe the strategic planning level in detail. The
\ndecision variables are represented by plant capacity and harvested biomass in a specific
\nforest parcel for each slope class, while the objective function is the sum of the costs
\nrelated to plant installation and maintenance, biomass transportation and collection,
\nminus the benefits coming from the energy sales at the current market price, including the
\nrenewable energy certificates. Moreover, the optimization problem is structured through
\na set of parameters and equations that are able to encompass different energy conversion
\ntechnologies (pyrolysis, gasification or combustion) in the system. A case study on the
\nLiguria Region (Savona Province) is presented and results are discussed