The steam Rankine cycle (SRC) is a mature technology adapted to high temperatures and has a high electrical efficiency. However, the cost-effective and environmentally-sound utilisation of biomass in SRC requires efficient management of the supply chain and overcoming challenges such as complex conversion processes and uncertainties in biomass quality and supply. In this study, the optimisation of biomass utilisation using SRC to produce electricity is conducted considering the entire biomass supply chain. The model is developed as a combined biomass supply chain network and SRC process flowsheet and optimized in GAMS to achieve the most effective power generation while optimising the network economics. The concept of the SRC process-based approach to biomass supply network is evaluated through a demonstrative case study of a relatively small region.
