Reference: Rabbani, M., Saravi, N.A., Farrokhi-Asl, H., Lim, S.F.W.T. and Tahaei, Z. 2018. Developing a sustainable supply chain optimization model for switchgrass-based bioenergy production: A case study. Journal of Cleaner Production, Volume 200, Issue 1, 827-843
Renewable energies are attracting considerable interest as an appropriate alternative for fossil fuel-based sources of energy due to increasing concerns about global warming and environmental issues. In this regard, this paper takes a new look at designing a sustainable Switchgrass-based bioenergy supply chain network (BSCN) incorporating conflicting economic, environmental and social objectives. We propose a novel, multi-objective, mixed-integer linear programming model as a decision-making (DM)tool. To deal with sustainability factors, the proposed model is solved using two-stage algorithms con-sisting of augmentedε-constraint and TOPSIS. This approach paves the way to determine the suitablestrategical and tactical decisions and manage bioenergy supply chain performance with respect to the preference of decision-makers for an appropriate trade-off among of the sustainability factors. Computa-tional analysis is carried out to indicate the validity of the proposed model by using a real case study in Iran. The results demonstrate that achieving a desirable level of social and environmental preservation conducted a circa 15% increase in economic objective function at the end of the planning horizon. The results also show that high investment cost is a precondition to improving BSCN. It behooves the government to prioritize their plans and compartmentalize their budgets and spending in more constructive and effective ways related to bioenergy supply chain planning.
