Integral methodology for the assessment of sustainable supply chains in the production of second generation bioenergy in a regional context

Long-term energy security concerns and modification consumption patterns are accelerating the transition to biofuels from renewable and non-petroleum feedstocks such as bioethanol, biodiesel, and biogas. Ensuring the commercial viability of these alternatives requires a holistic perspective that involves more than conversion technologies and encompasses the entire supply chain (SC) linking biomass sources to end users. A supply chain approach allows mapping all stages of production, linking each stage to explicit performance targets, and selecting the most appropriate modeling tools and software for network design. Based on systematic and narrative reviews, this research identifies the primary methods currently used to represent these stages, highlights current modeling trends, and identifies emerging research gaps. Evidence shows that the field has expanded rapidly over the past few decades, with facility capacity and geographical siting as the most influential strategic variables. Simultaneously, recent models increasingly incorporate multiple feedstocks in parallel, mitigating supply risk and diversifying their bioenergy products. Finally, integrating environmental and social criteria into supply chain design, in addition to economic ones, is identified as a primary issue for designing sustainable biofuel production schemes.