Integrated multi-level bioenergy supply chain modelling applied to sugarcane biorefineries in South Africa

A Nexus Approach for Sustainable Urban Energy-Water-Waste Systems Planning and Operation

“…[8][9][10] Our thorough literature review shows that previous research has been conducted in the energy supplydemand optimization and system analysis under a developing country context, e.g., energy system planning and forecasting, remote-area distributed renewable energy, bioenergy research optimization and waste-to-energy systems. [11][12][13] Applications in support of the energy-water-food nexus planning has become a central focus in the current research agenda of developing systematic modelling tools. [14][15][16][17][18] However, there is a significant gap on the decision-making tools bridging water-energy-waste sectors with supply-demand needs at both spatial and temporal scales, despite the fact that many tools have been developed and used effectively for individual domains.…”

“…The choice of waste-to-energy technologies, their deployment and logistics of which depend on local conditions including demands and availability of resources and associated networks, imply that a spatially explicit representation and computer-aided planning is imperative . To support investments and operational decisions for sustainable infrastructure systems development in cities, systems modeling approaches can be deployed taking into account energy-water-waste cross-sectoral integration, spatial-temporal resource flows and allocation, long-term socio-economic and environmental targets as well as technical constraints from a whole systems perspective. − Our thorough literature review shows that previous research has been conducted in the energy supply demand optimization and system analysis under a developing country context, that is, energy system planning and forecasting, remote-area distributed renewable energy, bioenergy research optimization and waste-to-energy systems. − Applications in support of the energy-water-food nexus planning has become a central focus in the current research agenda of developing systematic modeling tools. − However, there is a significant gap on the decision-making tools bridging water-energy-waste sectors with supply demand needs at both spatial and temporal scales, despite the fact that many tools have been developed and used effectively for individual domains. − …”

Life cycle optimisation tool development for process systems and centralised supply chain design

“…In our previous research, we have explored both approaches. 51–53 We have developed a mixed integer programming optimisation model and implemented Nash equilibrium to explore the solutions at decentralised multi-echelon supply chain levels where multiple nodes across supply chains have been considered e.g. , resource suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, governments, and finance sectors.…”

“…51 We have also developed an approach to couple agent-based simulation and mathematical optimisation to simulate the behaviours of each node and optimise the individual solutions across biofuel supply chains in global South. 52,53 In our future research, we will build upon the currently developed life cycle optimisation tool to explore further centralised vs. decentralised supply chain optimisation problems.…”

“…In our previous research, we have explored both approaches. [51][52][53] We have developed a mixed integer programming optimisation model and implemented Nash equilibrium to explore the solutions at decentralised multiechelon supply chain levels where multiple nodes across supply chains have been considered e.g., resource suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, governments, and nance sectors. 51 We have also developed an approach to couple agent-based simulation and mathematical optimisation to simulate the behaviours of each node and optimise the individual solutions across biofuel supply chains in global South.…”