Title: Models for evaluating energy, environmental and sustainability performance of biofuels value chain

Authors: Anthony Halog

Addresses: Industrial Ecology and Life Cycle Assessment, Forest Bioproducts Research Initiative/School of Forest Resources, University of Maine, 5755 Nutting Hall, Orono, ME 04469, USA

Abstract: Sustainable production of biofuels requires lots of feedstocks, developing robust technologies and industrial ecology-oriented biorefineries under the overarching principles of sustainability. Majority of existing methods for impacts analysis of biofuels have not considered the triple dimensions of sustainability. A critical challenge for any chain of biofuel traders is to develop and implement an integrated set of performance measures that can direct its efforts towards restructuring existing supply chains. This research aims to develop OR/MS based metrics that are integrative and consider the multi-expectations of various stakeholders to allow efficient supply chains| participation into sustainable development at various levels.

Keywords: biofuels value chain; sustainability criteria; sustainability indicators; eco-efficiency; DEA; data envelopment analysis; environmental performance; sustainable production; sustainable development; energy efficiency; supply chain efficiency.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGEI.2009.027975

International Journal of Global Energy Issues, 2009 Vol.32 No.1/2, pp.83 - 101

Published online: 24 Aug 2009 *

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