Optimization and analysis of bio-fuel logistics for biomass power plant

This paper established a logistics model involving biomass delivery and processing between satellite storages and plant, to simulate, monitor and analyze various logistics alternatives based on the software of EXTEND v6 in the case study of biomass power plant. The model aimed to reduce truck waiting time before receiving processing and minimizing the overall variable logistics cost by adjusting the number of processing facilities and trucks allocated to different satellite storages at the prerequisite of stable biomass supply. The model gave optimal values of related parameters and the minimum logistics cost, and investigated influence of installed capacity of power plant, processing time of equipment and working schedule of trucks on logistics cost. It was found that logistics cost reaches minimum at installed capacity of 100–125 MW, the cost is most sensitive to loading time, and the optimal working time for trucks is 16 hours.