Comparison of Alternative Supply Chains for Energy Production from Marginal Biomasses

In the present contribution a methodological approach to the analysis and optimization of the industrial-scale supply chain of biomasses for energy purposed is applied to the case of cultivations in marginal lands. The optimal supply chain configuration for a given territory is identified by a two-tier sustainability analysis, which considers both the environmental and the economic points of view. The first tier performs a quick evaluation of the supply chain, based on simplified assumptions on the parameters characterizing the geographical territory. The second tier allows for the inclusion of spatially explicit parameters of the territory and realizes a more detailed optimization my multi-objective optimization methods. The results obtained from the two tiers of the model provide quantitative information, to support quick and effective decision making on the optimal configuration of the supply chain in terms of plant size, location, transport logistics and cultivation.