Towards Second Generation Bioethanol
Abstract This work proposes a multi-period and spatially explicit framework conceived to drive strategic policies on biofuels. A Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) model is proposed as quantitative tool to optimise the oncoming transition towards more sustainable infrastructures. This paper addresses the design of bioethanol supply chains where both corn grain and stover are considered as suitable biomass. A Mixed Integer Linear Program is proposed to optimise the system financial performance and to comply with EU environmental regulation by taking into account a wide number of technological options. Bioethanol production in Northern Italy is chosen as a demonstrative case study.
The main innovation of the study is the use of a novel energo-environmental approach for investigation of biogas production, and analysis of the amount of methane and biogas produced in terms of en...