Biomass supply chain analyses and TEA
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Description
The Integrated Biomass Supply Analysis and Logistics (IBSAL) model, developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, is a dynamic, discrete-event framework developed at ORNL for simulating biomass supply chains. IBSAL simulations are useful for scenario and optimization analyses to assess the impacts of system improvements, crop yield, and resource allocation and to identify system bottlenecks. The model estimates unit operations costs, energy use, labor and machinery requirements, and biomass dry matter losses through harvest, transport, storage, and preprocessing operations. Recent IBSAL model development has emphasized risk analysis by evaluating the impacts of weather delays, yield variability, and resource (equipment and labor) limitations.
Capability Bounds
Our team can implement IBSAL simulations in two software platforms – Python and ExtendSim. The choice between Python and ExtendSim depends on project modeling objectives, the level of system detail required, and eventual users. IBSAL models have been developed for switchgrass, poplar, willow, miscanthus, and energy sorghum.
Unique Aspects
In addition to typical estimates of unit operations costs and energy use, IBSAL is uniquely adapted to provide robust risk analysis with advanced scenario management and sensitivity analysis capabilities.
Availability
Our team has experience developing supply chain simulations for a wide range of feedstocks (switchgrass, poplar, willow, miscanthus, and energy sorghum) and harvest systems (herbaceous; baled, chopped; woody crops: coppiced, single stems).
Benefit
The IBSAL modeling framework provides robust capabilities to evaluate supply chain costs, energy use, and bottlenecks. When coupled with the BILT model, regionally specific field-to-refinery analyses can be used to optimize local biomass networks.
Capability Expert(s)
Erin Webb, Robin Clark, Oluwafemi Oyedeji
References
Clark, R., Webb, E. (2024). Integrated Biomass Supply Analysis and Logistics Model (IBSAL) 2.0. (ORNL/TM-2024/3275).
Happs, Renee, Rebecca Hanes, Andrew Bartling, John Field, Anne Harman-Ware, Robin Clark, Thomas Pendergast, Katrien Devos, Erin Webb, Ali Missaoui, Yaping Xu, Shiva Makaju, Vivek Shrestha, Mitra Mazarei, Charles Stewart, Reginald Millwood, and Brian Davison. “Economic and Sustainability Impacts of Yield and Composition Variation in Bioenergy Crops: Panicum virgatum L.” ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering (in press). DOI: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.3c05770
Sokhansanj, Shahabaddine, Erin Webb, and Anthony F Turhollow Jr. “Development of the Integrated Biomass Supply Analysis and Logistics Model (IBSAL),” June 1, 2008. https://doi.org/10.2172/932647.
