A novel approach for optimisation of bioenergy supply Chain: Integrating mathematical Programming, geographic Information System, and Analytic Hierarchy process.

Abstract

The crucial role of sustainable energy in addressing environmental challenges and using agricultural waste for bioenergy supports a circular bioeconomy. This paper presents a four-stage approach to optimise a biorefinery supply chain for Ireland's agricultural waste sector. The spatial availability of agricultural waste was assessed, followed by evaluating land suitability for biorefinery development under economic, environmental, and social constraints. A hybrid method using GIS and AHP was employed to rank suitable areas, and a mathematical model was used for supply chain optimisation. Results showed only 12 % of the study area is highly suitable for biorefineries, with an average transportation distance of 39 km, leading to reduced costs and emissions. The framework's efficiency is highlighted by a transportation cost of only 4 %, compared to 16 % in previous studies. This research fills a gap in bioenergy supply chain management by demonstrating advanced tools for optimising sustainability and site suitability.