University of Vaasa - Vaasan yliopisto

production.
Source: Own illustration. Table contents contain excerpts from the respective paprs.
SCM / Logistics Issues and Challenges of Bio-Energy
Chains
583
This chapter presents a classification of most relevant SCM / logistics issues and
challenges in the context of bio-energy chains addressed in the paper sample: (1)
Transport, handling, pre-treatment, storage, (2) logistics in general, (3) system
design, (4) supply security, (5) purposes of bio-energy chains apart from energy
production.
Transport, handling, pre-treatment, storage
Transport distance impacts heavily both the emissions from the bio-energy
production chain (Börjesson & Berglund 2006), such as the photochemical oxidant
creation potential (Börjesson & Berglund 2007) and the total operating costs (Caputo
et al. 2005; Madlener & Bachhiesl 2008; Puy et al. 2008). Thereby, the transport
distances reported to be acceptable vary according to the form of bio-energy and the
feedstock. Puy et al. (2008) suggest limiting the transportation distance up to 50 km
for woody biomass processed in a cogeneration plant, whereas Börjesson and
Berglund (2006) report that transport distances for biogas feedstock (fermentation)
lie between approximately 3 and 15 km. However, from an energy balance
perspective, manure can be transported for some 200 km and slaughterhouse waste
up to 700 km before the energy balance of biogas production turns negative
(Berglund & Börjesson 2006). Overall, transport of raw materials currently contains
less reduction potential concerning the energy consumption than, for example,
technologies for the upgrading of biogas to natural gas quality (Börjesson &
Berglund 2006).
The logistics of biomass fuel supply is complex due to the intrinsic feedstock
characteristics: limited period of availability and scattered geographical distribution
(Caputo et al. 2005; Madlener & Bachhiesl 2008). Similarily, the collection of
organic waste in rural areas increases the necessary energy input three to four times
in comparison to urban areas (Börjesson & Berglund 2006). Madlener and Bachhiesl
(2008) state that biomass supply logistics are severely impacted by available modes
of transport and need combined transport and extensive handling space. For saving
transport and handling costs, and for improving the efficiency of the final
conversion, densification of the biomass is crucial. From the economic and
environmental point of view, torrefaction in combination with pelletisation is the
optimal pre-treatment (Uslu, Faaij & Bergman 2008). Ayoub et al. (2007) report that
forestry residues are chipped at the harvesting site using a mobile chipper and then
transferred to the roadside using small size forwarders. Transportation of the chips
along the roadside to the storage place is done by small size trucks, transportation to
the conversion facility by medium capacity trucks. Madlener and Bachhiesl (2008)