Optimal location of biogas and biomass generation plants

Abstract

Biomass refers to renewable energy coming from biological material such as trees, plants, manure, and sometimes wastes. The effectiveness of biomass power production requires the use of optimization algorithm to take into account biomass availability, transportation and power facilities as well as all the territory related constraints. The integration of optimization tools within Geographic Information Systems allows better performances. In the paper a specialized genetic algorithm allows finding the optimal biomass power plants distribution in Sardinia (Italy) by maximizing the economic benefit of private investors. The algorithm may be used in a very general way and integrated in the most commercial GIS softwares.