Energy Supply Chain Research Articles

Optimization of biomass collection, transportation and storage processes empowered by blockchain technology

As an important renewable alternative energy source, one of the most critical aspects that can be used reasonably is the improvement of the biomass energy supply chain. In view of the uncontrollable transportation process in the biomass energy supply chain, Blockchain technology(BT) is introduced to optimize the biomass energy collection, transportation, and storage processes. On this basis, the game model is applied to analyze the impact of BT on the members of the biomass supply chain and the overall profit of the supply chain. Research shows that the application of BT is beneficial to increase the profits of biomass energy supply chain members within the threshold range, and for the overall benefit of the supply chain, the overall benefit of the supply chain under centralized decision-making is the highest.

Identification of energy-efficient solutions for broiler house envelopes through a primary energy approach

One of the main concerns regarding intensive broiler production is the high use of energy for climate control. An improved design of broiler house envelopes could decrease this energy consumption. Current evaluation methods only consider the delivered energy, which is misleading because it does not consider the entire energy supply chain. By contrast, primary energy encompasses all forms of direct energy, e.g. thermal and electrical, that are supplied to the broiler house, including the energy losses along the energy supply chain. In this work, delivered energy and primary energy approaches are adopted to identify the most energy-efficient solution for envelopes in typical European broiler houses. This work evaluates 18 scenarios characterized by three different envelope types and six different outdoor weather conditions. Financial aspects are evaluated through global cost analysis. The results of this study show that a high-insulated envelope is suitable in the considered outdoor weather conditions, but it is not sustainable from a financial point of view. By contrast, a medium insulated envelope shows a favourable energy performance and its global cost is similar to that of a non-insulated envelope. A comparison of the results reveals that the delivered energy approach considerably underestimates the broiler house energy consumption compared to the primary energy approach. These results strongly suggest that a primary energy approach is well-suited for the assessment of the energy performance of broiler houses and livestock houses. This is because it accounts for the total direct energy supplied to the broiler house considering the specificity of the energy mix of the analysed country and the considered energy carrier. The proposed approach lays the groundwork for future research regarding the assessment of the energy performance of livestock houses.

Hydrogen Adsorption on Sub‐Bituminous Coal: Implications for Hydrogen Geo‐Storage

AbstractHydrogen is a clean fuel that can potentially revolutionize the energy supply chain and decarbonize fuel consumption. However, a key hurdle that needs to be overcome before a full‐scale hydrogen economy can be established is hydrogen storage which is currently the main limitation. Here, we propose that hydrogen gas can be stored in underground coal seams, where it adsorbs on the coal surface. However, currently, no hard data related to such a procedure exists. We, therefore, demonstrate experimentally that significant amounts of hydrogen gas can be stored via this route. Hydrogen adsorption capacities reached 0.6 moles H2/kg of coal at 14.3 MPa, and adsorption capacity initially increased strongly with pressure (up to ∼4 MPa) and then plateaued out, while temperature only had a very minor influence. This study provides fundamental data for hydrogen storage in coal seams, and thus aids in the industrial implementation of a hydrogen supply chain.

A Simulation-Based Multi-Objective Optimization Framework for the Production Planning in Energy Supply Chains

The work presents a simulation-based Multi-Objective Optimization (MOO) framework for efficient production planning in Energy Supply Chains (ESCs). An Agent-based Model (ABM) that is more comprehensive than others adopted in the literature is developed to simulate the agent’s uncertain behaviors and the transaction processes stochastically occurring in dynamically changing ESC structures. These are important realistic characteristics that are rarely considered. The simulation is embedded into a Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm (NSGA-II)-based optimization scheme to identify the Pareto solutions for which the ESC total profit is maximized and the disequilibrium among its agent’s profits is minimized, while uncertainty is accounted for by Monte Carlo (MC) sampling. An oil and gas ESC model with five layers is considered to show the proposed framework and its capability of enabling efficient management of the ESC sustained production while considering the agent’s uncertain interactions and the dynamically changing structure.

Research and analysis of a flexible integrated development model of railway system and photovoltaic in China

Greening of the railway energy supply chain is an irreversible trend, and photovoltaics (PVs) provide the most suitable type of renewable energy to integrate with railways. The integration of variable and uncertain PV power generation with the dynamic loads on a railway increases the flexibility needed to maintain load-generation balance. A new evolutionary model of a railway energy supply system (RESS) for railway PV integration systems (RPISs) is proposed by constructing a three-in-one “traction-storage-information integrated station” (TSIIS). A flexibility evaluation approach is proposed to estimate the system flexibility of both the individual TSIIS and the banded featured microgrid group through energy storage capacity configuration and dynamic scheduling via a multileader multifollower Stackelberg game. Finally, the Lanzhou-Xinjiang Railway is taken as an example to calculate the emission reduction and flexibility. The results show that through application of the storage configuration and scheduling strategy to the TSIIS network, the flexibility index of the Lanzhou-Xinjiang Railway increased by 8.40%, which promoted a corresponding decrease in carbon dioxide emissions and increase in PV permeability. In addition, with the gradual construction of PV and energy storage systems, an RPIS can basically achieve self-consistent energy utilization, offering environmental benefits and strong flexibility.

Analysis of Energy Supply Chain in Steel Industry Self-provided Power Plant

Based on the requirements of low carbon emissions, and aiming at the practical problems of unreasonable utilization of residual by-product gas and gas emission in iron and steel complex, the energy supply chain in iron and steel complex is preliminarily discussed and analysed from the perspective of system engineering. The main problems existing in energy supply chain in iron and steel complex are put forward from four aspects: raw material supply, node connection, management and environment. It lays a theoretical foundation for further research on the optimal scheduling of energy supply chain network.

Storage and transportation technology solutions selection for large-scale hydrogen energy utilization scenarios under the trend of carbon neutralization

This paper mainly introduces the main pain point of China’s civil hydrogen energy supply chain - the problem of storage and transportation, and analyzes the safety, economy and scale effect and other issues of the existing hydrogen energy storage and transportation, compares with other storage and transportation technology solutions, and comprehensively screens out the storage and transportation technology solution mainly based on liquid hydrogen technology. The liquid hydrogen technology solution has significant advantages over the existing compressed hydrogen system in terms of safety, economy and scale effect, especially for future large-scale hydrogen energy application scenarios. In addition, the future hydrogen energy storage and transportation system based on liquid hydrogen technology can help improve the overall utilization efficiency of country’s renewable energy, promote the country’s energy transition, promote the electrification of the country’s transportation sector, and help achieve China’s carbon emission reduction 2030/2060 target.

Quantifying virtual water scarcity risk transfers of energy system in China

Water scarcity problem has become a major constraint in energy development. In this paper, we calculated virtual water flows and virtual water scarcity risk transfers driven by interprovincial energy consumption in China using multi-regional input–output analysis. The results of virtual water scarcity risk transfers show that major virtual water scarcity risk importers will be the “victims” suffering the consequences of increasing virtual water scarcity risks in the national energy system. For major virtual water scarcity risk exporters, they will transfer virtual water scarcity risks to downstream provinces along energy supply chains, threatening the stability of the national energy system. The promotion of energy policies and the energy consumption of developed regions make the water-deficient northwest regions export a large amount of water resources to the east and south regions. Therefore, it is necessary to fully consider local water scarcity and evaluate the impact on water environment before the construction of energy bases. Our findings can be used to provide a reference value for policymakers to develop new energy strategies and manage water resources sustainably.

An Ecohealth approach to energy justice: Evidence from Malawi’s energy transition from biomass to electrification

Decarbonisation is essential to limiting the electricity sector’s contributions to CO2 emissions. Simultaneously, there is recognition of the need to increase electricity access in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa, such as in Malawi, with renewable energies suggested as capable of meeting these needs. However, the drive for low carbon electrification, especially in settings where biomass use for cooking is widespread, may act as a driver of new and intersecting injustices. The energy justice framework is well posited to recognise injustices which emerge across energy supply chains, though existing analysis has typically focused on single energy systems. In order to capture injustices emerging in settings of dual biomass use and hydroelectricity generation, it is necessary to consider how energy systems impact on both human health (e.g. air pollution from biomass burning) and the functionality of ecosystems (through deforestation and resulting siltation of rivers). Thus, we argue for an Ecohealth approach to energy justice research, drawing on evidence from Malawi’s transition towards electrification.

Distribution free approach on electrical energy supply chain using geometric shipment policy

ABSTRACT We propose an inventory based optimisation model for a system of electricity supply chain. This distribution system consists of power plant, transmission substation and distribution substations and customers. The electricity generated by the power plant is transmitted to the submission and distribution substations and finally consumed by the customers. We apply the inventory theory to the distribution system and assume the electricity demand follows a distribution-free approach. This distribution system concerns the geometric shipment policy that is the size of each shipment is a multiple of the first shipment size. In particularly, two types of lead time crashed concepts are considered in this model. The main objective of this model is to find an optimal solution of first shipment lot size, blackout cost and simultaneously minimising the joint expected total cost. An iterative technique is used to find an optimal solution numerically and a sensitivity analysis table is presented to show the impact of different parameters

Sustainable Energy Storage Management for a Power Plant-Transmission Station System with Hybrid Power Generation and Stochastic Electricity Demand

This paper proposes an energy storage management for electrical energy supply chain system (EESCS) involving a power plant and a transmission station under carbon emission investigation. The transmission station faces stochastic electricity demand from household and uses a continuous review policy to control electrical energy storage. The power plant has two power generations, namely green power generation and regular power generation. The green power generation is cleaner than the regular one, thus it generates less emissions. Although the green power generation is more environmentally, however, its electricity production cost is more expensive than the regular one. A carbon tax is implemented in the investigated system to lessen the amount of emissions coming from electricity production. An efficient algorithm is developed to solve the problem and a numerical example is presented to show the applicability of the model and to explore the behaviour of the model.

Impact of Rainy and Dry Seasons on Eucalypt Fuelwood Quality Logs Stored in Piles

The natural drying of fuelwood is a common practice to improve its quality and increase the efficiency in the biomass-based energy supply chain. The objective of this work was to analyze the effect of seasons on the physical and chemical properties of wood logs stored in piles for energy purposes. The logs of Eucalyptus urophylla were stored in two periods of 160 days each throughout the year, autumn–winter (dry season) and spring–summer (rainy season). During the 320 days, the moisture content of wood and the weather parameters were measured daily. After the natural drying, the moisture content (wet basis) of wood reached 29.6%, and there was an increase of 47.6% in the low heating value (12.4 MJ kg-1 wet basis) after the storage in the autumn–winter, which is the most suitable period for air–drying of logs. The rainy storage reduced the higher heating value of wood, which suggested a biological degradation of biomass.

Standardizing a unique renewable energy supply chain: the SURESC Model

This study intends to dig into the renewable energy industry and drawing from research on learning curves and energy polices, proposes a way to speed-up the energy shift from our fossil-fuel dependency to a green economy. Even though standard economic frameworks suggest that markets and not policy makers should decide winners and losers, we urge to accelerate renewable energy competitiveness, proposing that by limiting the number of renewable technologies where resources are allocated to at government level, we reduce the time within which renewables will achieve technological price parity with fossil fuels. In turn, by analyzing the energy demand and supply curves, the study suggests that this action will also mediate the relation between quantity and price, shifting only the supply curve, leaving the demand curve unaffected. It continues by proposing the standardization of a unique renewable energy supply chain model, later defined as the SURESC model. For such, a deep analysis on existing green technologies will be performed proposing the implementation of a hydrogen through ammonia economy via ammonia for power as key factor for success. This is a preliminary study, first of its kind, intended to provide a holistic approach to a known problem.

MAKING LOGISTICS DECISIONS IN ENTERPRISE ENERGY SUPPLY

The article identifies the main logistics decisions that are to be made at the enterprise level to ensure the uninterrupted functioning of their energy system. The purpose of the article is to determine the main logistics decisions, which have to be made by enterprises in order to improve the efficiency of the functioning of energy supply chains. To achieve this goal, the following general scientific methods are used: analysis, synthesis, systematization, theoretical generalization, abstraction and analogy. The article considers such logistics solutions in the energy supply of enterprises as: planning the amount for energy services need, the choice of the energy consumption alternative, the alternative «make or buy», and the choice of supplier. The characteristics of each of these logistic solutions are given and alternatives for their adoption are considered. The factors that should be taken into account when planning the needs of enterprises in energy services are summarized. It is determined what initial data should be considered at planning of the need, and also methods which can be applied. Four variants of consumption of energy services with centralized energy supply are identified. It is proved that the priority type of energy for consumers is electricity. It is proved that the priority type for consumers is electric energy, the factors influencing the choice of the energy supply option are determined. The managerial alternative «make or buy» in the energy supply of enterprises is characterized. The advantages and disadvantages of own productions of energy services are determined. A sequence of ten stages in choosing the option of own production of energy services is developed by the author. The factors influencing the choice of energy service provider for enterprises are summarized. The scheme for selecting process an energy service provider is proposed, which includes nine stages and allows managers to make an optimal logistic decision

Research on the Partnership between Supply Chain Enterprises Based on Complex Network

Under the perspective of complex networks, supply chain is abstracted as complex network which takes enterprise as node, and takes the relation between enterprises as edge. Taking energy supply chain (ESC) for example, this paper analyses the accuracy of prediction by combining with other seven real networks. The result shows that the predictive effect of half part information index is obviously better than the index of node part information and global information, the predictive effect among some individual global information index is higher while the accuracy are volatile; under the network with smaller cluster coefficient, the node part information has poor predictive effect but more stableness accuracy. Distinguish the accuracy of prediction clearly by comparing with seven real networks, which are to predict the “unknown links” and “future links” more accurately.

DYNAMICS OF ELECTRIC ENERGY POLICY THE COAL SECTOR IN INDONESIA: ANOMALY OR EXCEPTION?

The dynamics of coal primary energy policy in Indonesia are still relevant to observe. On the one hand, coal commodity is a counter discourse in the mainstreem of green energy. On the other hand, the issue of the national electricity-energy crisis occurs due to obstruction of the primary energy supply chain. These two things are the challenge to the paradigm of energy resources as a capital for national development. Therefore, the issue of policy change in this case always needs to be studied. Analysis using normative juridical methods; in general related to the national energy policy and specifically on regulating coal mining to meet PLN's needs. The conclusion is that the prevailing laws and regulations have mandated the policy of national energy security. However, local utilization of coal needs to be regulated in a harmonious, transparent, and independent manner. The transparency and independence of coal primary energy development policies can be seen as an anomaly of the universal-global green energy paradigm. At least this is a temporary exception for Indonesia. Ensuring meeting our local's energy needs should be a priority for the next few decades. Keywords: Energy Policy, Coal Sector, Anomaly, Exception.

Transport Cost Estimation Model of the Agroforestry Biomass in a Small-Scale Energy Chain

The delivery of biomass products from the production place to the point of final transformation is of fundamental importance within the constitution of energy chains based on biomass use as a renewable energy source. Transport can be one of the most economically expensive operations of the entire biomass energy production process, which limits choices in this sector, often inhibiting any expansive trends. A geographic identification, through remote sensing and photo-interpretation, of the different biomass sources was used to estimate the potential available biomass for energy in a small-scale supply chain. This study reports on the sustainability of transport costs calculated for different types of biomass sources available close a biomass power plant of a small-scale energy supply chain, located in central Italy. To calculate the transport cost referred to the identified areas we used the maximum travel time parameter. The proposed analysis allows us to highlight and visualize on the map the areas of the territory characterized by greater economic sustainability in terms of lower transport costs of residual agroforestry biomass from the collection point to the final point identified with the biomass power plant. The higher transport cost was around €40 Mg−1, compared to the lowest of €12 Mg−1.

Renewable Power Generation: A Supply Chain Perspective

In recent years, the transition to a more sustainable and clean system has focused on the accelerated development of renewable energy technologies. This transition can be perceived as a major priority, especially with the current environmental concerns, threatening various aspects of human life. The objective of this article is, therefore, to highlight the role of the supply chain in the renewable power generation sector. In this context, a detailed assessment of the supply chain contribution to the renewable energy sector is presented. Next, the performance of the renewable energy supply chain is qualitatively evaluated by illustrating the various barriers against continuing development, and the key measures are recommended to overcome these barriers. Then, the main factors influencing the performance of the supply chain are identified and key performance indicators related to the renewable energy supply chain are established to achieve high efficiency and sustainability performances in the power sector.

Industry 4.0 and demand forecasting of the energy supply chain: A literature review

The number of publications in demand forecasting of the energy supply chain augmented meaningfully due to the 2008 global financial crisis and its consequence on the global economy, mainly in energy supply chains. In spite of the fact that Industry 4.0 emerged during this period, its solutions and their impacts on energy demand forecasting are not covered by current reviews in the literature. This paper presents a comprehensive and up-to-date review of publications related to forecasting approaches of energy demand in the last two decades between 2000 and 2020 with an emphasis on Industry 4.0 influences and the state-of-the-art progress on this topic. A total of 267 publications are chosen and about 73 distinctive approaches of energy demand forecasting are discovered. Accordingly, among these approaches, there are eight methods with the most citations which include 56% of the total articles. Additionally, the forecasting methods are classified into traditional and intelligent methods and the most cited publications related to both are reviewed in detail. Furthermore, the advantages and disadvantages of both traditional and intelligent forecasting methods as well as research limitations and future researches are determined. The results from the literature review indicated that by employing intelligent forecasting methods, the errors and costs were reduced while these methods increase profitability.

Recycling Biogas Digestate from Energy Crops: Effects on Soil Properties and Crop Productivity

Digestate from biogas production can be recycled to the soil as conditioner/fertilizer improving the environmental sustainability of the energy supply chain. In a three-year maize-triticale rotation, we investigated the short-term effects of digestate on soil physical, chemical, and microbiological properties and evaluated its effectiveness in complementing the mineral fertilizers. Digestate soil treatments consisted of combined applications of the whole digestate and its mechanically separated solid fraction. Digestate increased soil total organic C, total N and K contents. Soil bulk density was not affected by treatments, while aggregate stability showed a transient improvement due to digestate treatments. A decrement of the transmission pores proportion and an increment of fissures was observed in digestate treated soils. Soil microbial community was only transiently affected by digestate treatments and no soil contamination from Clostridiaceae-related bacteria were observed. Digestate can significantly impair seed germination when applied at low dilution ratios. Crop yield under digestate treatment was similar to ordinary mineral-based fertilization. Overall, our experiment proved that the agronomic recycling of digestate from biogas production maintained a fair crop yield and soil quality. Digestate was confirmed as a valid resource for sustainable management of soil fertility under energy-crop farming, by combining a good attitude as a fertilizer with the ability to compensate for soil organic C loss.