Overcoming challenges in biomass mobilization through the improvement of communication and organization processes between supply-chain actors

Improved logistics processes are steadily growing in importance for the supply of solid biomass and other renewable energy sources (RES) since rising demand for RES is significantly changing the demand side of the market and thus increasing pressure on consumers of RES. A timely and cost efficient supply of RES, therefore, constitutes a competitive advantage. The Fraunhofer Institute IFF has identified several success factors for optimal biomass logistics. In addition to regional factors, strategic and operative planning are key factors. Timely and cost efficient availability of relevant data, e.g. on available yields, their locations and condition, dictate the efficiency and reliability with which emerging raw material flows can be organized, especially transport processes for woody biomass waste in landscape conservation and forestry. In various research projects including the project "Best4VarioUse" funded by the Life+ program, the Fraunhofer Institute IFF has developed solutions that enable actors in biomass supply chains to optimize their overall transport operations and logistical factors in particular. These solutions as well as the developed prototype logistics platform are described within this paper.