A multi-objective, hub-and-spoke model to design and manage biofuel supply chains

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• 作者：Mohammad S. Roni ; Sandra D. Eksioglu ; Kara G. Cafferty…
• 关键词：Multi ; objective optimization ; Hub ; and ; spoke supply chain ; Densified biomass ; Augmented \(\epsilon \) ; constraint method ; Rail transportation
• 刊名：Annals of Operations Research
• 出版年：2017
• 出版时间：February 2017
• 年：2017
• 卷：249
• 期：1-2
• 页码：351-380
• 全文大小：
• 刊物类别：Business and Economics
• 刊物主题：Operation Research/Decision Theory; Combinatorics; Theory of Computation;
• 出版者：Springer US
• ISSN：1572-9338
• 卷排序：249

文摘

In this paper we propose a multi-objective, mixed integer linear programming model to design and manage the supply chain for biofuels. This model captures the trade-offs that exist between costs, environmental and social impacts of delivering biofuels. The in-bound supply chain for biofuel plants relies on a hub-and-spoke structure which optimizes transportation costs of biomass. The model proposed optimizes the \(\hbox {CO}_{2}\) emissions due to transportation-related activities in the supply chain. The model also optimizes the social impact of biofuels. The social impacts are evaluated by the number of jobs created. The multi-objective optimization model is solved using an augmented \(\epsilon \)-constraint method. The method provides a set of Pareto optimal solutions. We develop a case study using data from the Midwest region of the USA. The numerical analyses estimates the quantity and cost of cellulosic ethanol delivered under different scenarios generated. The insights we provide will help policy makers design policies which encourage and support renewable energy production.