Supply chain integration in the UK bioenergy industry: findings from a pilot study

• Published in: Journal of cleaner production Vol. 79; pp. 41 - 52
• Main Authors: Lloyd, Christine, Dey, Prasanta
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 15.09.2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Applied sciences; Bioenergy; bioenergy industry; Biofuel production; Biological and medical sciences; biomass; Biotechnology; business enterprises; Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife; Energy; Environment and sustainable development; Exact sciences and technology; fossil fuels; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects; infrastructure; Pilot study; Pollution; raw materials; supply chain; Supply chain integration; terminology; United Kingdom; United Kingdom; Europe; Western Europe; Pilot study; Supply chain integration; Bioenergy; Industry; Supply chain; Pollution prevention; Pilot test; Sustainable development; Environmental protection
• ISSN: 0959-6526; 1879-1786
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2014.05.080

Interest in bioenergy as a viable alternative to fossil fuels is increasing. This emergent sector is subject to a range of ambitious initiatives promoted by National Governments to generate energy from renewable sources. Transition to energy production from biomass still lacks a feasible infrastructure particularly from a supply chain and business perspective. Supply chain integration has not been studied widely providing a deficit in the literature and in practice. This paper presents results from a pilot study designed to identify attributes that helps optimise such supply chains. To consider this challenge it is important to identify those characteristics that integrate bioenergy supply chains and ascertain if they are distinct from those found in conventional energy models. In general terms the supply chain is defined by upstream at the point of origin of raw materials and downstream at the point of distribution to final customer. It remains to be seen if this is the case for bioenergy supply chains as there is an imbalance between knowledge and practice, even understanding the terminology. The initial pilot study results presented in the paper facilitates understanding the gap between general supply chain knowledge and what is practiced within bioenergy organisations. •Purpose to identify key characteristics of bioenergy supply chains in the UK.•A questionnaire was distributed to bioenergy.•Out of 100 questionnaires there were 26 responses.•Study reveals supply chain integration constructs for the UK bioenergy industry.