Analyzing Machine Concepts and Delivery Strategies to Cut Delivery Costs for Forest Fuels Using a Discrete-event Simulation Model

Stumps are a possible source of biomass for energy production, but stump extraction is still only a small scale operation and no standardized supply chain has evolved. In order to evaluate possible supply chains, we have developed a discrete-event simulation model for cost-efficient analysis of delivery costs and machine utilization in different scenarios and system configurations. In this new and undeveloped business, simulation results can be used as decision support in planning stump fuel supply. The simulation model is currently being extended to include weather-driven modules for fuel quality changes during storage and the daily fuel demand of heat and power plants.