Multistage Optimization of Sustainable Supply Chain of Biofuels

A sustainable biofuel supply chain must be not only economically viable but also environmentally benign. This study addressed a strategic multistage expansion (e.g., a decade) of a cellulosic biofuel supply chain system with supplements of corn grain biofuels. A multiobjective, multiyear optimization framework was proposed, and the compromise method was used to seek best-compromise solutions between economic competitiveness and environmental quality of the supply chain while satisfying evolving fuel demand, feedstock resources, and technological constraints. The model was implemented in an illustrative case study of planning an in-state ethanol supply chain in California between 2015 and 2025. The results indicated that significant trade-offs existed between cost and greenhouse gas emissions in the supply chain and that cellulosic ethanol produced from corn stover and forest residues could be an important alternative to corn ethanol with a low cost of $2.20/gal and emissions of 1.5 carbon dioxide equivalent kg/gal.

• Record URL:
  • https://doi.org/10.3141/2502-11
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/9780309369237
• Authors:
  • Huang, Yongxi
  • Xie, Fei
• Publication Date: 2015

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 89–98
• Monograph Title: Environment and Energy
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board
  • Issue Number: 2502
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternate fuels; Biomass fuels; Case studies; Costs; Economic efficiency; Environmental quality; Ethanol; Greenhouse gases; Mixed integer programming; Optimization; Supply chain management; Sustainable development
• Geographic Terms: California
• Subject Areas: Economics; Energy; Environment; Highways; I10: Economics and Administration; I15: Environment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01554264
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 9780309369237
• Report/Paper Numbers: 15-1682
• Files: PRP, TRIS, TRB, ATRI
• Created Date: Feb 26 2015 9:49AM