Energy Supply Chain modeling for the optimisation of a large scale energy planning problem

Abstract

The energy planning problem becomes increasingly important during the recent years mainly due to the pressing needs that need to be taken into account in terms of economic, environmental and social aspects. At the same time, technology supports many options and alternative solutions in the design of energy and fuel supply chains (SCs), based on more holistic approaches that have their origin in the production management. Considering the introduction of an integrated framework of evaluation for alternative energy supply options, the present work applies a RTN (Resource Task Network) based representation of the Energy SCs (ESCs) along with a mathematical programming optimisation model in order to analyse and model a location specific energy planning problem. Special emphasis is given to fuel mix optimisation in terms of maximising the economic, social and environmental performance of ESCs. Furthermore, the interaction between aspects and implications under the existing limitations both in the design and technical characteristics of the system as well as in the environmental / air quality limitations, will be also revealed. On top of the results obtained, the present work’s added value relates to the development of the proposed model for the analysis of various energy planning scenarios, comprising in this way a very useful decision making tool.