Biomass to bio-energy supply chain: Economic viability, case studies, challenges and policy implications in India

Ahmed, Banafsha; Bharti, Avinash; Singh, Gurkamal Nain; Graham, Neal T.; Bohre, Ashish; Evans, Meredydd; Vijay, Vandit

doi:10.1016/j.seta.2025.104249

Biomass to bio-energy supply chain: Economic viability, case studies, challenges and policy implications in India

Journal Article · Sat Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 2025 · Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seta.2025.104249· OSTI ID:3013422

^[1]; Bharti, Avinash ^[1]; Singh, Gurkamal Nain ^[1]; Graham, Neal T. ^[2]; Bohre, Ashish ^[1]; Evans, Meredydd ^[2]; ^[1]

Sardar Swaran Singh National Institute of Bio-Energy (SSS-NIBE), Kapurthala (India)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), College Park, MD (United States). Joint Global Change Research Institute

Biomass supply chain (BSC) management is an integral part of renewable energy projects, which include biomass-harvesting, collection, storage, processing and transportation to the bio-energy plants. The sustainability concept identifies economy, environment, and society as the three principal pillars of bioenergy. With an effective BSC implemented, all three dimensions of sustainability can be attained. Although, there’s been extensive research on the environmental sustainability of BSC, the economic aspects are under-represented in existing literature. So, an elaborate analysis on the economic viability of BSCs developed worldwide and those in India is critical, and needs to be studied. This review conducts a detailed accounting of the economic aspects of a BSC which includes the existing challenges in designing an environmental-cum-economically efficient BSC and strategies to address the issues. The Indian context has been studied on the BSC models, highlighting their shortcomings, while encapsulating the essential insights from global BSC models for a cost-effective BSC-to-bioenergy in India. Here, this review also emphasizes the policies supporting the BSC in India and forecasts the future biomass demand and supply. This review will provide stakeholders with critical insights on BSC and related challenges and assist them to investigate and devise strategies for successful implementation of BSCs in India.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE

Grant/Contract Number:: AC05-76RL01830

OSTI ID:: 3013422

Report Number(s):: PNNL-SA--208355

Journal Information:: Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments, Journal Name: Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments Vol. 75; ISSN 2213-1388

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

References (61)

Optimal location of wood gasification plants for methanol production with heat recovery Leduc, Sylvain; Schwab, Dagmar; Dotzauer, Erik International Journal of Energy Research, Vol. 32, Issue 12 https://doi.org/10.1002/er.1446	journal	October 2008
Opportunities and Challenges in the Design and Analysis of Biomass Supply Chains Lautala, Pasi T.; Hilliard, Michael R.; Webb, Erin Environmental Management, Vol. 56, Issue 6 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-015-0565-2	journal	June 2015
Overview of sustainable biomass supply chain: from concept to modelling Hong, Boon Hooi; How, Bing Shen; Lam, Hon Loong Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy, Vol. 18, Issue 7 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10098-016-1155-6	journal	March 2016
Process-to-Policy (P2Pol): using carbon emission pinch analysis (CEPA) tools for policy-making in the energy sector Andiappan, Viknesh; Foo, Dominic C. Y.; Tan, Raymond R. Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy, Vol. 21, Issue 7 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10098-019-01721-0	journal	June 2019
Big Data: A Survey Chen, Min; Mao, Shiwen; Liu, Yunhao Mobile Networks and Applications, Vol. 19, Issue 2 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11036-013-0489-0	journal	January 2014
A Perspective on Post-Pandemic Biomass Supply Chains: Opportunities and Challenges for the New Norm Andiappan, Viknesh; How, Bing Shen; Ngan, Sue Lin Process Integration and Optimization for Sustainability, Vol. 5, Issue 4 https://doi.org/10.1007/s41660-021-00176-5	journal	July 2021
Biomass energy technologies for rural infrastructure and village power—opportunities and challenges in the context of global climate change concerns Kishore, V. V. N.; Bhandari, Preety M.; Gupta, Pratul Energy Policy, Vol. 32, Issue 6 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0301-4215(03)00002-8	journal	April 2004
Cost optimization of biofuel production – The impact of scale, integration, transport and supply chain configurations de Jong, Sierk; Hoefnagels, Ric; Wetterlund, Elisabeth Applied Energy, Vol. 195 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2017.03.109	journal	June 2017
Water for electricity in India: A multi-model study of future challenges and linkages to climate change mitigation Srinivasan, Shweta; Kholod, Nazar; Chaturvedi, Vaibhav Applied Energy, Vol. 210 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2017.04.079	journal	January 2018
Multi-objective optimization of sustainable biomass supply chain network design Gital Durmaz, Yeşim; Bilgen, Bilge Applied Energy, Vol. 272 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2020.115259	journal	August 2020
Development of a biorefinery optimized biofuel supply curve for the Western United States Parker, Nathan; Tittmann, Peter; Hart, Quinn Biomass and Bioenergy, Vol. 34, Issue 11 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2010.06.007	journal	November 2010
An overview of empty fruit bunch from oil palm as feedstock for bio-oil production Chang, Siu Hua Biomass and Bioenergy, Vol. 62 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2014.01.002	journal	March 2014
Influence of particle size and packaging on storage dry matter losses for switchgrass Yu, T. Edward; Larson, James A.; English, Burton C. Biomass and Bioenergy, Vol. 73 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2014.12.009	journal	February 2015
Design of sustainable second-generation biomass supply chains Yazan, Devrim Murat; van Duren, Iris; Mes, Martijn Biomass and Bioenergy, Vol. 94 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2016.08.004	journal	November 2016
Economic analysis of woody biomass supply chain in Maine Whalley, Stephanie; Klein, Sharon J. W.; Benjamin, Jeffrey Biomass and Bioenergy, Vol. 96 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2016.10.015	journal	January 2017
Biomass supply chain environmental and socio-economic analysis: 40-Years comprehensive review of methods, decision issues, sustainability challenges, and the way forward Zahraee, Seyed Mojib; Shiwakoti, Nirajan; Stasinopoulos, Peter Biomass and Bioenergy, Vol. 142 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2020.105777	journal	November 2020
Green and sustainable biomass supply chain for environmental, social and economic benefits Hiloidhari, Moonmoon; Sharno, Marjia Afroz; Baruah, D. C. Biomass and Bioenergy, Vol. 175 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2023.106893	journal	August 2023
A mathematical model to design a lignocellulosic biofuel supply chain system with a case study based on a region in Central Texas An, Heungjo; Wilhelm, Wilbert E.; Searcy, Stephen W. Bioresource Technology, Vol. 102, Issue 17 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2011.05.060	journal	September 2011
Optimization of biodiesel supply chains based on small farmers: A case study in Brazil Leão, Raphael Riemke de Campos Cesar; Hamacher, Silvio; Oliveira, Fabrício Bioresource Technology, Vol. 102, Issue 19 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2011.07.002	journal	October 2011
Analyzing the design and management of biomass-to-biorefinery supply chain Ekşioğlu, Sandra D.; Acharya, Ambarish; Leightley, Liam E. Computers & Industrial Engineering, Vol. 57, Issue 4 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cie.2009.07.003	journal	November 2009
How will climate change affect oil palm fungal diseases? Paterson, R. R. M.; Sariah, M.; Lima, N. Crop Protection, Vol. 46 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cropro.2012.12.023	journal	April 2013
Water-energy-food nexus in India: A critical review Kholod, Nazar; Evans, Meredydd; Khan, Zarrar Energy and Climate Change, Vol. 2 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egycc.2021.100060	journal	December 2021
Multi-objective models for biomass supply chain planning with economic and carbon footprint consideration Duc, Duy Nguyen; Meejaroen, Pasakorn; Nananukul, Narameth Energy Reports, Vol. 7 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2021.10.071	journal	November 2021
Cooperation or rivalry? Impact of alternative development pathways on India’s long-term electricity generation and associated water demands Chaturvedi, Vaibhav; Koti, Poonam Nagar; Sugam, Rudresh Energy, Vol. 192 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2019.116708	journal	February 2020
Agri-biomass supply chain optimization in north China: Model development and application Wu, Juanjuan; Zhang, Jian; Yi, Weiming Energy, Vol. 239 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2021.122374	journal	January 2022
Second generation biofuels: Economics and policies Carriquiry, Miguel A.; Du, Xiaodong; Timilsina, Govinda R. Energy Policy, Vol. 39, Issue 7 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2011.04.036	journal	July 2011
Why large-scale bioenergy production on marginal land is unfeasible: A conceptual partial equilibrium analysis Bryngelsson, David K.; Lindgren, Kristian Energy Policy, Vol. 55 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2012.12.036	journal	April 2013
Modeling of biomass-to-energy supply chain operations: Applications, challenges and research directions Mafakheri, Fereshteh; Nasiri, Fuzhan Energy Policy, Vol. 67 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2013.11.071	journal	April 2014
Sustainable biomass supply chain network design with biomass switching incentives for first-generation bioethanol producers Haji Esmaeili, Seyed Ali; Szmerekovsky, Joseph; Sobhani, Ahmad Energy Policy, Vol. 138 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2019.111222	journal	March 2020
Integrated analysis of increased bioenergy futures in India Graham, Neal T.; Gakkhar, Nikhil; Singh, Akash Deep Energy Policy, Vol. 168 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2022.113125	journal	September 2022
Market and economic feasibility analysis for the implementation of 2nd generation biofuels in Greece Mitkidis, Georgios; Magoutas, Anastasios; Kitsios, Fotis Energy Strategy Reviews, Vol. 19 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esr.2017.12.006	journal	January 2018
Land-use futures in the shared socio-economic pathways Popp, Alexander; Calvin, Katherine; Fujimori, Shinichiro Global Environmental Change, Vol. 42 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2016.10.002	journal	January 2017
Modeling and optimization of biomass supply chains: A review and a critical look Atashbar, N. Zandi; Labadie, N.; Prins, C. IFAC-PapersOnLine, Vol. 49, Issue 12 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ifacol.2016.07.742	journal	January 2016
Integrating biomass quality variability in stochastic supply chain modeling and optimization for large-scale biofuel production Castillo-Villar, Krystel K.; Eksioglu, Sandra; Taherkhorsandi, Milad Journal of Cleaner Production, Vol. 149 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.02.123	journal	April 2017
Bio-Supply Chain Network Design to tackle ethanol deficiency in India: A mathematical framework Gumte, Kapil M.; Mitra, Kishalay Journal of Cleaner Production, Vol. 234 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.06.160	journal	October 2019
Lignocellulosic marine biofuel: Technoeconomic and environmental assessment for production in Brazil and Sweden Tanzer, Samantha Eleanor; Posada, John; Geraedts, Sjors Journal of Cleaner Production, Vol. 239 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.117845	journal	December 2019
Biomass Supply Chain in Asian and European Countries Raychaudhuri, Aryama; Ghosh, Sadhan Kumar Procedia Environmental Sciences, Vol. 35 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proenv.2016.07.062	journal	January 2016
Biomass supply chain design and analysis: Basis, overview, modeling, challenges, and future Sharma, B.; Ingalls, R. G.; Jones, C. L. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Vol. 24 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2013.03.049	journal	August 2013
Biochar from oil palm biomass: A review of its potential and challenges Kong, Sieng-Huat; Loh, Soh-Kheang; Bachmann, Robert Thomas Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Vol. 39 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2014.07.107	journal	November 2014
The investor-specific price of renewable energy project risk – A choice experiment with incumbent utilities and institutional investors Salm, Sarah Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Vol. 82 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2017.04.009	journal	February 2018
Role of bioenergy, biorefinery and bioeconomy in sustainable development: Strategic pathways for Malaysia Sadhukhan, Jhuma; Martinez-Hernandez, Elias; Murphy, Richard J. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Vol. 81 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2017.06.007	journal	January 2018
Techno-economic analysis for biomass supply chain: A state-of-the-art review Lo, Shirleen Lee Yuen; How, Bing Shen; Leong, Wei Dong Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Vol. 135 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2020.110164	journal	January 2021
Can bioenergy carbon capture and storage aggravate global water crisis? Hu, Bin; Zhang, Yilun; Li, Yi Science of The Total Environment, Vol. 714 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.136856	journal	April 2020
Input–output optimisation model for sustainable oil palm plantation development Foong, Steve Z. Y.; Goh, Carmen K. M.; Supramaniam, Christina V. Sustainable Production and Consumption, Vol. 17 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spc.2018.08.010	journal	January 2019
Waste biomass-to-energy supply chain management: A critical synthesis Iakovou, E.; Karagiannidis, A.; Vlachos, D. Waste Management, Vol. 30, Issue 10 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2010.02.030	journal	October 2010
The declared barriers of the large developing countries waste management projects: The STAR model Bufoni, André Luiz; Oliveira, Luciano Basto; Rosa, Luiz Pinguelli Waste Management, Vol. 52 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2016.03.023	journal	June 2016
Thermoelectric Power Generation and Water Stress in India: A Spatial and Temporal Analysis Zhang, Chao; Yang, Joonseok; Urpelainen, Johannes Environmental Science & Technology, Vol. 55, Issue 8 https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.0c08724	journal	March 2021
Optimization of Multiproduct Biorefinery Processes under Consideration of Biomass Supply Chain Management and Market Developments Ulonska, Kirsten; König, Andrea; Klatt, Marten Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, Vol. 57, Issue 20 https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.iecr.8b00245	journal	May 2018
Biorefinery Supply Chain Network Design under Competitive Feedstock Markets: An Agent-Based Simulation and Optimization Approach Singh, Akansha; Chu, Yunfei; You, Fengqi Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, Vol. 53, Issue 39 https://doi.org/10.1021/ie5020519	journal	September 2014
Freshwater requirements of large-scale bioenergy plantations for limiting global warming to 1.5 °C Stenzel, Fabian; Gerten, Dieter; Werner, Constanze Environmental Research Letters, Vol. 14, Issue 8 https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/ab2b4b	journal	July 2019
Humans drive future water scarcity changes across all Shared Socioeconomic Pathways Graham, Neal T.; Hejazi, Mohamad I.; Chen, Min Environmental Research Letters, Vol. 15, Issue 1 https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/ab639b	journal	January 2020
Logistics management and costs of biomass fuel supply Allen, J.; Browne, M.; Hunter, A. International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, Vol. 28, Issue 6 https://doi.org/10.1108/09600039810245120	journal	August 1998
Biomass as a means of achieving rural energy self-sufficiency: a concept Vijay, Vandit; Chandra, Ram; Subbarao, P. M. V. Built Environment Project and Asset Management, Vol. 12, Issue 3 https://doi.org/10.1108/BEPAM-01-2021-0012	journal	October 2021
A formal definition of Big Data based on its essential features De Mauro, Andrea; Greco, Marco; Grimaldi, Michele Library Review, Vol. 65, Issue 3 https://doi.org/10.1108/LR-06-2015-0061	journal	April 2016
Biomass Supply Chain Design, Planning and Management: A Review of Literature Agustina, F.; Vanany, I.; Siswanto, N. 2018 IEEE International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management (IEEM) https://doi.org/10.1109/IEEM.2018.8607286	conference	December 2018
Supply logistics for the industrialized use of biomass - principles and planning approach Fiedler, Paul; Lange, Mike; Schultze, Mareike 2007 International Symposium on Logistics and Industrial Informatics https://doi.org/10.1109/LINDI.2007.4343510	conference	September 2007
Trade-offs between land and water requirements for large-scale bioenergy production Bonsch, Markus; Humpenöder, Florian; Popp, Alexander GCB Bioenergy, Vol. 8, Issue 1 https://doi.org/10.1111/gcbb.12226	journal	November 2014
The Vulnerability of Plant Genetic Resources Conserved Ex Situ Fu, Yong‐Bi Crop Science, Vol. 57, Issue 5 https://doi.org/10.2135/cropsci2017.01.0014	journal	July 2017
Logistics and Supply Chain Modelling for the Biobased Economy: A Systematic Literature Review and Research Agenda Stellingwerf, Helena Margaretha; Guo, Xuezhen; Annevelink, Engelbertus Frontiers in Chemical Engineering, Vol. 4 https://doi.org/10.3389/fceng.2022.778315	journal	May 2022
Optimizing the Location of Biomass Energy Facilities by Integrating Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) Woo, Heesung; Acuna, Mauricio; Moroni, Martin Forests, Vol. 9, Issue 10 https://doi.org/10.3390/f9100585	journal	September 2018
Understanding biomass feedstock variability Kenney, Kevin L.; Smith, William A.; Gresham, Garold L. Biofuels, Vol. 4, Issue 1 https://doi.org/10.4155/bfs.12.83	journal	January 2013

Similar Records

International corner: India

Journal Article · · PETC Review (Pittsburgh Energy Technology Center); (United States) · OSTI ID:5310773

Bioenergy for climate change mitigation: Scale and sustainability

Journal Article · Fri Jul 09 20:00:00 EDT 2021 · Global Change Biology. Bioenergy · OSTI ID:1819932

Related Subjects

Biomass
Challenges
Economics
Policies
Supply chain

Biomass to bio-energy supply chain: Economic viability, case studies, challenges and policy implications in India

Citation Formats

References (61)

Similar Records

Related Subjects