(760b) Economic, Environmental and Social Cost Optimization of Biomass Supply Chain for Electricity Generation in WI, USA

There is an increasing interest in identifying the optimal biomass supply chain for the renewable energy system, due to relatively low energy density and high procurement cost of biomass feedstock. The goal of this study is to develop an integrated framework to determine the optimal supply chain network for bioelectricity generation in Wisconsin, USA. First, forest residues collection sites, road and rail network across WI, MN and upper MI were mapped in Arc-GIS. Next, the optimal location of co-generation facility was identified by screening all potential sites by government policy, local community interest, land availability, distance to transmission lines and road/rail network. Finally, biomass supply chain was optimized by minimizing the economic, environmental and social cost of shipping forest residues from forest to the facility. Upstream (cradle-to-gate) GHG and criteria pollutants emissions of feedstock were also quantified for all potential facility sites. The result shows that Superior WI is the best location to build a bioelectricity facility in terms of economic, environmental, and social sustainability. In addition, the quantities, modes and distances of forest residues transportation were determined in order to meet the 0.5 million ton (current capacity) and 1 million ton (future capacity) demand of the bioelectricity facility.