GIS-based approach for defining bioenergy facilities location:
A case study in Northern Spain based on marginal delivery costs and resources competition between facilities
Panichelli L., Gnansounou E. (2008) Biomass and Bioenergy, Vol. 32, Issue 4, pp. 289-300
This paper presents a GIS-based decision support system for selecting least-cost bioenergy locations when there is a significant variability in biomass farmgate price and when more than one bioenergy plant with a fixed capacity has to be placed in the region. The methodology tackles the resources competition problem between energy facilities through a location-allocation model based on least-cost biomass quantities. Whole system least delivery cost including intermediate bioenergy products is estimated. The methodology is based on a case study where forest wood residues (FWR) from final cuttings (FCs) are used to produce torrefied wood (TW) in two torrefaction plants (TUs) that supply a gasification unit (GU) in order to produce electricity. The provinces of Navarra, Bizkaia, Gipuzkoa, Alava, La Rioja, Cantabria and Burgos are assessed in order to find the best locations for settling down the TUs and the GU according to biomass availability, FWR and TW marginal delivery costs.
GIS modelling of forest wood residues potential for energy use based on forest inventory data
Panichelli, L. Gnansounou, E. Presented at iEMSs 2008: International Congress on Environmental Modelling and Software, Barcelona, 2008.
This paper presents an approach to perform geo-referenced estimations of forest wood residues availability for energy use based on forest inventory data integration into a GIS. Three different estimation methods are described. The first one evaluates biomass availability based on the application of biomass expansion factors to stem volume data of the forest inventories. The method accounts for forest dynamics and assigns management treatments in function of forest properties. The second method estimates available forest wood residues applying biomass production by tree, derived from field studies, to the inventoried tree species. The third method links inventory data with national statistics of final cuttings of commercial tree species. Useful biomass potential is then estimated based on ecological, logistic and economic constraints. Biomass resources estimations under the different methods result in significant differences. GIS maps of useful biomass availability estimations are presented giving an idea of the optimal locations for bioenergy facilities based on resource availability.
Use of GIS for Data Aquisition and Visualisation of Energy Biomass Potentials
Gnansounou E., Golay F., Bedniaguine D., Chételat J. , in “Potentziale zur energetischen Nutzung von Biomasse in der Schweiz”, Bundesamt für Energie BFE / EWG, Kap. 10, pp. 173 – 200, December 2004
Practical case study of the canton of Vaud with emphasis on analysing differences in farm-gate prices of forestry biomass subject to altering characteristics of forestry sites and trees stands and taking into account the prospects for specific techniques of energy biomass harvesting