CAREER: Models for Supply Chain Design and Logistics Management of Biofuels

该学院早期职业发展（CAREER）奖的研究目标是建立生物燃料的综合供应链设计和管理模型。这些供应链模型将（1）考虑生物质供应的具体性质;（2）综合考虑生产，运输和库存;（3）整合战略，战术和运营决策。其目标是改善这一供应链的绩效，从而提高生物燃料作为能源的实用性。为了实现这一目标，将对以下两个研究领域进行调查。(1)供应链设计问题。将开发两阶段随机规划模型，将选址决策与运输和库存管理决策相结合。(2)生产和销售问题。将开发多标准优化模型，以最大限度地减少供应链相关成本，并最大限度地提高生物燃料对环境的积极影响。这项研究将大大推进解决生物燃料供应链设计和管理问题所需的知识基础。其他行业，如个人电脑和零售业，已经在利用复杂的供应链设计。这项工作将有助于建立从使用石油转向使用生物燃料作为可再生和可持续能源来源所需的基础设施，因为组织良好的供应链有可能降低运输、库存和其他相关供应链成本。 这项研究有可能通过为农民和生物精炼厂创造巨大的经济价值，对社会产生积极影响。该奖项的另一个主要贡献将是通过参与该研究项目，并通过讨论将在课堂上使用的相关案例研究，对研究生和本科生的教育产生影响。

The research objective of this Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award is to build integrated supply chain design and management models for biofuels. These supply chain models will (1) consider the specific nature of biomass supply; (2) take an integrated view of production, transportation, and inventory; and (3) integrate strategic, tactical, and operational decisions. The goal is to improve the performance of this supply chain, and consequently increase the practicality of biofuels as a source of energy. In pursuit of this objective, the following two research areas will be investigated. (1) Supply chain design problems. Two-stage stochastic programming models will be developed that integrate location decisions with transportation and inventory management decisions. (2) Production and distribution problems. Multi-criteria optimization models will be developed that minimize supply chain related costs, and maximize the positive impact of biofuels to the environment.This research will significantly advance the knowledge base needed to address supply chain design and management problems for biofuels. Other industries, such as the personal computer and retail industries are already taking advantage of sophisticated supply chain designs. This work will help build the infrastructure that is necessary to switch from using petroleum to using biofuels as a source of renewable and sustainable energy, since well-organized supply chains have the potential to decrease transportation, inventory and other related supply chain costs. This research has the potential to positively impact the society by creating substantial economic value for farmers and biorefineries. Another major contribution of this award will be its impact to the education of graduate and undergraduate students through participation in this research project, and through discussion of related case-studies that will be used in the classroom.