AD ALTA
JOURNAL OF INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH
Figure 5. Simplified biomass cluster logistics system
Source: created by the authors.
When demand for biomass is rapidly rising biomass supply
intermediaries are needed the most. Intermediaries are able to
quickly supply themselves with biomass usually obtaining it
from their managed biomass areas and forest massifs. In terms of
the latter, forests are also cleaned by removing poor-quality
wood. This also carries out a specific market-forming function
because when possibility is presented stable quantities of
biomass are produced and increase in prices is stabilized. In most
cases such entrepreneurs diversify their risks by producing
biomass in winter while shifting their businesses to other
activities during the summer. This ensures some sort of synergy
taking into account seasonal changes.
Clarity and goal to fulfil consumer needs are key characteristics
of a logistics system. Similar phenomenon is present in the case
of biomass clusters. It focuses on the supply of sustainable
energy resources ensuring continuous production of thermal
energy and electricity. The cluster is oriented to a local area, and
its extent is easily controlled. Following a biomass cluster
logistics system analysis it is estimated that different quantities
of biomass are supplied during different seasons. It creates
conditions for a dynamically managed logistics system that
ensures continuity and competitiveness of biomass cluster
activities.
2.3 Methodology and research findings
The research analyses the hypothetical supply chain system in
areas where all of the thermal energy is produced using biomass.
The study uses data from two cities (A and B). Creating this
model it is assumed that the first city consumes approximately
18,618 TOE (Tonnes of Oil Equivalent) of biomass per year.
The second city consumes about 1850 TOE of biomass per year.
The model examines the situation where the first city can be
supplied from seven biomass production sites located in different
areas meanwhile the second city is supplied from five sites.
Different supply proportions are determined depending on the
size of the biomass production site in the area. The difference
between the least and most exploited production sites is almost
twice as high. Data provided in Table 1 shows that the
differences between biomass production sites are not significant
allowing to maintain balanced supply quantities. The areas are
selected based on the potentially available biomass, annual forest
harvesting volumes, quality of transportation services and
potential to supply large quantities of biomass in the short period
of time.
The map of biomass supply sites and cities (Figure 6) shows that
biomass supply sites are located in different areas. Their
exploitation mostly depends on seasons and unexpectedly
increased demand for biomass. During the warm season when
demand for energy is lower, supply sites that are closer to the
cities are exploited the most. During the cold season when
demand for biomass is higher, the exploitation level of further
supply sites is increased. Biomass extraction is viewed from a
broader perspective as different size supply sites are exploited
taking into account the planned forest harvesting volumes and
the scale of cleaning in small forests. For the most part, large
arrays are utilized because of the planned forest harvests. The
conditions for this situation are the ongoing forest harvestings.
Waste gathered during the harvest is used for energy production.
In all cases, the waste is then shredded locally and afterwards
transported to the incineration point. Waste gathered cleaning
less woody areas is also used for energy production. Forest
cleaning can be done in order to increase the sustainable use of
the forest resources.
In the first area the incineration facilities are located in the
middle (city A), this enables smooth supply of required biomass
quantities. Forest areas are located in the southern part of the
area. Since distances are optimal (up to 30 km), biomass is
delivered to power plants within 1 hour using trucks. This
enables quick response time in situations when demand for
biomass increases significantly. In the second area, the power
plants are located in the northern part. This changes the logistics
system, since all biomass supply sites are located south of the
city B. The prolonged supply distance helps to better express
how significant is the efficiency of the logistics supply chain.
Basic operating costs are related to biomass processing and
transportation. Unlike in the case of fossil fuels here a supply
chain based on human resources is needed and high automation
level cannot be ensured. Therefore, it is necessary to anticipate a
weekly biomass sourcing strategy that would be adjusted based
on the changing seasons. Depending on the weather, the number
of trucks entering the power plant can differ 2-3 times.
Table 1 Demand for biomass in the area distributed among the
biomass supply sites.
Supply
site ID
(First
area)
Required quantity
of biomass (TOE)
Supply ID
(Second
area)
Required
quantity of
biomass
(TOE)
1
2243
1
515
2
2984
2
245
3
2123
3
215
4
2759
4
335
5
3450
5
540
6
3235
7
1824
Total
18618
1850
Source: created by the authors
The map of biomass supply sites and cities (Figures 6 & 7)
shows that biomass supply sites are located in different areas.
Their exploitation mostly depends on seasons and unexpectedly
increased demand for biomass. During the warm season when
demand for energy is lower, supply sites that are closer to the
cities are exploited the most. During the cold season when
demand for biomass is higher, the exploitation level of further
supply sites is increased. Biomass extraction is viewed from a
broader perspective as different size supply sites are exploited
taking into account the planned forest harvesting volumes and
the scale of cleaning in small forests. For the most part, large
arrays are utilized because of the planned forest harvests. The
conditions for this situation are the ongoing forest harvestings.
Waste gathered during the harvest is used for energy production.
In all cases, the waste is then shredded locally and afterwards
transported to the incineration point. Waste gathered cleaning
less woody areas is also used for energy production. Forest
cleaning can be done in order to increase the sustainable use of
the forest resources.
In the first area the incineration facilities are located in the
middle (city A), this enables smooth supply of required biomass
quantities. Forest areas are located in the southern part of the
area. Since distances are optimal (up to 30 km), biomass is
delivered to power plants within 1 hour using trucks. This
enables quick response time in situations when demand for
biomass increases significantly. In the second area, the power
plants are located in the northern part. This changes the logistics
system, since all biomass supply sites are located south of the
city B. The prolonged supply distance helps to better express
how significant is the efficiency of the logistics supply chain.
Basic operating costs are related to biomass processing and
transportation. Unlike in the case of fossil fuels here a supply
chain based on human resources is needed and high automation
level cannot be ensured. Therefore, it is necessary to anticipate a
weekly biomass sourcing strategy that would be adjusted based
on the changing seasons. Depending on the weather, the number
of trucks entering the power plant can differ 2-3 times.
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