Optimal planning, design and synthesis of symbiotic bioenergy parks

• Published in: Journal of cleaner production 2015-01, Vol.87, p.291-302
• Main Authors: Ng, Rex T.L., Ng, Denny K.S., Tan, Raymond R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Design engineering; Economics; Financing; Incentives/subsidies; Incremental investment return; Investment; Optimization; Parks; Renewable energy; Stability analysis; Symbiotic bioenergy park; Two-sided fuzzy optimisation
• ISSN: 0959-6526; 1879-1786
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2014.10.045

In this paper, a systematic approach for synthesising and optimising a symbiotic bioenergy park is presented. A novel stability analysis criterion of the symbiotic bioenergy park is developed based on the concept of incremental investment return analysis. The synthesised symbiotic bioenergy park is stable as long as no partner bears a disproportionate share of additional investment costs relative to benefits gained from cooperation. In case the symbiotic bioenergy park is not stable, re-evaluation (e.g., additional incentives from government, subsidies from high profit companies, etc.) can be conducted amongst all participants. In this work, fuzzy optimisation is adapted to trade-off individual economic interest and stability of each processing plant. The optimised network configuration which achieves the targets with minimum biomass value losses can be determined prior to detailed design. A palm-based symbiotic bioenergy park case study is solved to illustrate the proposed approach. •A systematic approach for designing a symbiotic bioenergy park (SBP) is presented.•Stability analysis is included in synthesising the SBP.•Fuzzy optimisation is adapted to trade-off objectives in the SBP.•Re-evaluation is conducted to discourage withdrawal of parties from participating in the SBP.