Decision-Making for Biomass-Based Production Chains: The Basic Concepts and Methodologies

Provides a comprehensive study of key issues surrounding the integration of strategic, tactical, and operational decision levels for supply chains in the biomass, biofuels, and biorefining sectors. Comprehensive sections cover biomass resources, harvesting, collection, storage, and distribution systems, along with the necessary technical and technological background of production systems. In addition, the basics of decision-making, problems, and decision levels encountered in design, management, and operation phases are covered. Case studies are supplied in each chapter, along with a discussion and comparative analysis of topics. The book presents a clear vision of advances in the field. Graduate students and those starting in this line of research will also find the necessary information on how to model this kind of complex system. Finally, this comprehensive resource can be used as a guide for non-expert industry decision-makers and government policymakers who need a thorough overview of the industry.

Examines analytic methodologies for complex decision-making when designing, deploying, and managing biomass and bio-based products supply chains.

Includes real-life examples of main sustainability indicators, standards, and certification schemes from the European Union, United States, and worldwide.

Explores the progress of decision-making procedures to provide a detailed perspective for effective selection of the most reliable solutions for each kind of problem.

Provides detailed, in-depth analyses of various models and frameworks for their implementation, challenges, and solutions.

Presents multi-criteria and multi-objective decision-making and modeling approaches, including mathematical modeling, simulation-based modeling, and artificial intelligence-based modeling.