Supply Chain Optimization for Energy Cogeneration Using Sugarcane Crop Residues (SCR)

Abstract

Access to clean and non-polluting energy has been defined as a Sustainable Development Goal (SDG). In this context, countries such as Colombia have promoted policies and incentives for the implementation of energy projects with non-conventional sources of energy. One of the main energy alternatives available is related to the use of residual biomass left by agribusiness supply chains, such as sugarcane. In Colombia, sugar cane is grown and harvested all year round, due to the local tropical climate. The model we propose addresses the question of the selection of the plots whose crop residue will be transported for energy production on a given day. We built a Mixed-Integer Programming model to decide which plots to harvest on a given day. Although no additional energy is generated in the model, the results show that it is feasible to replace all coal used in the boilers with sugarcane crop residues (SCRs) for power cogeneration. Sustainability 2019, 11, 6565 2 of 15The use of agricultural crop residues in electrical co-generation processes has been widely discussed in the literature. Some authors, such as those of reference [3], systematically describe energy needs and targets, biofuel feedstocks, conversion processes, and provide a comprehensive review of biomass supply chain (BSC) design and modeling. In reference [4], the authors describe the key challenges and opportunities in the modeling and optimization of biomass-to-bioenergy supply chains. The optimization process of a biomass supply chain is essential to overcome barriers and uncertainties that may inhibit the development of a sustainable and competitive bioenergy market. In reference [5], the authors give an overview of the optimization techniques and models, focusing on decisions regarding the design and management of the upstream segment of the biomass-for-bioenergy supply chain. Another research approach is related to the integration of different optimization objectives in biomass supply chain models. There is a recent tendency to integrate economic, environmental, and social aspects in the evaluation and optimization of biomass supply chains. Some authors (for example, those of reference [6]) have reviewed the studies that assessed or optimized economic, social, and environmental aspects of forest biomass supply chains for the production of bioenergy and bio-products.The structure of this paper is as follows: In Section 1.2, we present a literature review of bioenergy supply chain optimization decisions. In Section 2, the optimization model is explained, taking into account the parameters, variables, objective functions, and constraints. Sections 3 and 4 present the results and discussion. Section 5 presents conclusions and future research options. The Julia code of the model is included as an appendix.

Techno-Economic Analysis for the Optimal Design of a National Network of Agro-Energy Biomass Power Plants in Egypt

“…Other optimization criteria such as profit [52] and net present value (NPV) maximization [20], although limited, are also considered. In addition, most of the existing models consider the biofuels biomass supply chains that include biorefineries [17,53,54], and much fewer supply chain models that consider power plants for electricity generation and co-generation [50,55]. This research proposes a mathematical model that can be applied to determine the optimal configuration of biomass supply chains that depends on agriculture residues for the production of electric and thermal energy.…”

Green cane-trash blanketing sebagai upaya agronomis peningkatan kualitas tanah dan produktivitas tebu (Saccharum officinarum L.)

“…Melalui budidaya tebu yang baik, dapat dihasilkan 10-15 ton/ha residu, dengan kandungan rata-rata 0,42% nitrogen, 0,15% fosfor, dan 0,57% potasium (Tayade et al 2017). Besarnya jumlah residu tebu yang dihasilkan di setiap kebun tentu berbeda-beda dan bergantung pada berbagai faktor, seperti kesuburan tanah, varietas tebu yang dipilih, praktik budidaya yang diterapkan, kondisi iklim pada saat budidaya, dan lain sebagainya (Rivera-Cadavid et al 2019). Upaya mempertahankan kesuburan tanah melalui aplikasi bahan organik perlu dilakukan secara kontinyu dan membutuhkan dosis yang cukup tinggi sekitar 5-20 ton/ha (Dariah 2015).…”

Biofuels technologies: An overview of feedstocks, processes, and technologies

“…En esta misma línea, el trabajo de Mallawaarachchi & Quiggin (2001) propone un modelo para la asignación de cultivos de caña de azúcar, balanceando los costos de producción agrícola y la protección del ambiente, involucrando la deforestación y los impactos por contaminación. Dado el potencial de los residuos de cosecha y el bagazo de caña de azúcar, algunos autores han estudiado los beneficios económicos y ambientales del aprovechamiento de estos residuos para la producción de biocombustibles (2G), así como energía eléctrica por cogeneración (Khatiwada et al, 2016;Rivera-Cadavid et al, 2019). Similarmente, el trabajo propuesto por Mutenurea et al (2016) considera la localización de instalaciones para la producción de biocombustibles a partir de residuos de caña de azúcar, al mismo tiempo que minimiza las emisiones y el gasto energético en las operaciones de transporte de materia prima.…”