The paper discusses alternatives for biofuel-based district heating using simulation analysis in a real-life case example. First, the paper illustrates the current supply chain structure of forest chips from harvest to the heat energy plant. Usually the chips are naturally dried, chipped on the roadside and transported to the heating plant based on the orders. Second, the study demonstrates how a regional bioenergy system could be developed with the help of a simulation model for evaluating the feasibility of different wood fuel supply chain options. The model mimics a real-life example of an industrial area in a small Finnish municipality planning to invest in a CHP plant. The results show that the investment in a CHP plant and use of artificially dried wood fuel can be profitable in the circumstances where local demand exists for heat energy. The simulation-based vision can be compared with the presently dominant concept of highly decentralized supply chains for wood chips that is widely used among energy suppliers. However, to optimize the transportation costs and the moisture content of the chips changes are needed in the supply chain processes and structure. The results of this study are useable for practical decision-making and offer useful ideas for continuing research on alternative ways to produce energy wood biomass in the future.

本文在一个实际案例中讨论了使用模拟分析的基于生物燃料的区域供热的替代方案。首先，本文说明了从采伐到热能发电厂的林木屑的当前供应链结构。通常，将木屑自然干燥，在路边切碎，然后根据订单运输到供热厂。其次，研究表明如何借助模拟模型来开发区域生物能源系统，以评估不同木材燃料供应链方案的可行性。该模型模仿了一个小型芬兰市镇计划投资CHP工厂的工业区的真实示例。结果表明，在当地对热能有需求的情况下，对热电联产厂的投资和使用人工干燥的木质燃料是有利可图的。可以将基于模拟的愿景与目前在能源供应商中广泛使用的高度分散的木片供应链概念进行比较。但是，为了优化运输成本和切屑的水分含量，需要在供应链流程和结构中进行更改。这项研究的结果可用于实际决策，并为将来继续研究生产能源木材生物质的替代方法提供有用的想法。