Modeling logistics for supply of bioenergy feedstock

The current version of the Integrated Biomass Supply Analysis (IBSAL) model is deterministic. As such, the uncertainty surrounding the results obtained cannot be studied or quantified. The focus of this research project is to incorporate uncertainty into the model in order to make it more realistic, provide additional insights into its properties and potentially suggest new types of solutions with corresponding margins of error and variability. The probabilistic version of the IBSAL model will allow users to test and explore more realistic sets of input assumptions and allow for the investigation of “what if” type of scenarios. The probabilistic version of the model will provide an opportunity to quantify spatial variability of economic, carbon and fuels costs in response to major driving variables such as crop residue yield and recovery rates.

Faculty Supervisor:

Drs. Shahab Sokhansanj & Bhushan Gopaluni

Student:

David Zamar & Ehsan Oveisi

Partner:

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Discipline:

Engineering - chemical / biological

Sector:

Information and communications technologies

University:

University of British Columbia