A detailed GIS based assessment of bioenergy plant locations using location-allocation algorithm

Logistics plays a crucial role in the operation and planning of biogas plants. To achieve better economic returns and develop effective waste management strategies, optimizing the location of these plants is essential. Geographical Information Systems (GIS) have proven to be a valuable tool for evaluating plant locations and logistics. In this study, a detailed GIS-based mapping of energy sources and plant location optimization was conducted for the Meric-Ergene basin in Northwestern Turkey. This region is well-known for its intensive livestock activities; cattle manure and sewage sludge are considered as energy sources. The model used in this study takes into account various factors, including infrastructural, environmental, and regulatory constraints, transportation distances and costs. Three different scenarios were developed for installed capacities of 5 MW, 1.7 MW, and 1 MW. An energy density map was generated using kernel density interpolation, and the plant locations were determined by solving the location-allocation problem for each scenario. The total energy potential of the study area resulting from cattle manure and sewage sludge was found to be 23.6 MWh per hour. To utilize all the energy sources considered in the study, five plants with a capacity of 5 MW should be constructed. However, when the installed capacity was reduced to 1.7 MW, the number of required plants increased to 14, and for an installed capacity of 1 MW, 24 plants were necessary. The model output revealed that transportation costs increased more than tenfold when installed capacity was increased from 1 MW to 5 MW. Along with transportation costs, the maximum transportation distance should be increased from 40 km to 100 km to cover all energy sources for 5 MW plants. Therefore, it was concluded that installed capacities of 1.7 MW and 1 MW were more suitable than that of 5 MW, considering economic and environmental concerns.