Logistics Model of Arboreal Biomass Supplly

Abstract

Our investigation dealt with questions related to the raw material supply of a virtual energy-cluster. We examined those elements of production technology, in which the logistics methods and the optimisation of the flow of materials showed tangible results. The competitiveness of actors in the economic sphere is significantly determined by the effectiveness of their supply chain. The optimal solution to these tasks is provided by that combination of apparatus wherein both the “time factor” (JIT) and the efforts to minimise costs are realised. The supply chain we examined comprised of harvesting, transport and storage process elements; of these, harvesting in particular, due to its exceptionally high operating costs. We sought an answer to the question of whether it is better to transport the raw material directly to the processing plant or indirectly after temporary storage. In the case of indirect delivery, we wanted to know where storage facilities should be established and how many should there be in the interests of minimising total
costs. We created and utilised a simulation model to solve the task. We established that in case of short transport distances (1-3 km), direct transport is feasible. In the case of greater distances, indirect transport and the development of micro-logistical storage centres is justified. The number and location of these micro-logistical storage centres can be exactly determined with the help of our model.