When we hear the word agriculture, the first thought that pops into your mind is usually a local farmer. The last thing anyone thinks about is an industrial scale biomass supply chain, feedstock production, or storage. Industrial scale agriculture is much different than a small family farming operation. Specifications on quality control, scheduling, and logistics are more complex and require different solutions. Here at Genera Energy, the industrial scale supply chain is our sole focus. It is what we do best and how we can make your project successful.
There are several key areas that play into a successful biomass supply chain post-harvest of the crop. A few of these are the feedstock quality (both incoming quality and maintaining it through storage), storage footprint, material handling, and safety.
Feedstock quality can be one of the most challenging factors to control. Quality can be impacted by the weather, by debris in harvested material, and by the type of package the material is harvested in, among others. Questions during harvesting and storage include what is the weather like for the day? At what point is it going to change, and what can I do in that time to be efficient and ensure my material is handled and stored properly? Biomass consumers have different specifications we must meet. Some want high moisture, some want low moisture. Some want large particle sizes, others want small. All of these factors determine how to best store and manage quality in the biomass. The way material is harvested in the field also determines the handling systems utilized and the storage footprint. Bales of different types require different handling equipment and stacking techniques. Likewise, a chopped biomass can be handled in a more automated fashion. Package type also drives the storage footprint required, which is a key cost factor in any supply chain. Good, dense bales will require a smaller footprint than poor quality bales or chopped/ground material.
Another factor that drives all parts of the supply chain, including storage, is safety. Safety concerns in storage are numerous, but easily managed through proper planning. In storage, a key risk is fire. There is a great deal of thought and planning that goes into the layout of a transfer or storage site. Fire lanes, fire breaks, and water access should all be evaluated when laying out storage sites. A fire is a very serious, not only for the significant loss in inventory, but because it can be very difficult to control a fire once it occurs as biomass fires spread quickly and for the safety risk it poses to fire fighters and supply chain workers. Depending on the type of material stored, your reactions and combative efforts will be very different. Another key safety concern during storage of biomass is safety of employees when applying tarps or other coverings to stored bales. Safety protocol need to be in place to ensure workers are safe in lifting tarps, climbing bale stacks, and working off the ground. OSHA requirements, such as tethering workers, are important considerations. Genera Energy has developed leading solutions for fire risk management and for worker safety during covering operations.
Planning is the key factor in maintaining quality, operating efficiently, and minimizing risk to people and inventory. Genera Energy Inc. is the only company to have active experience in managing these operations in multiple energy crops and residues. Contact us to help you with your next project!
By Austin Beddingfield, Operations Coordinator
