A mixed-integer nonlinear programming model for production of electricity from biomass

The provision of energy is one of the most important issues at present. At the same time the environmental impacts need to be considered. The renewable energy, biomass energy in particular, could be a solution. The aim of this paper is to develop a mathematical programming model for solving problems arising from planning a biomasses energy production via burning the biomass. The models take into account different aspects of the problem: determination of the biomasses to produce and/or buy, transportation decisions to convey the materials to the respective plants, and plant design. First, a non-linear model was used, which was converted to a linear programming model. The application of this model for determining the locations of the plants, which are based on the geographical positions of the raw material providers. This model helps for developing more economically viable renewable projects.)