Abstract
Mapping Feedstock Areas for Bioethanol Production Using GIS
Track: Agriculture
Author
Among the many considerations in the establishment of an economically-competitive bioethanol plant is the availability of sufficient feedstock supply. Quantifying available feedstock sources helps in assessing the size and location of bioethanol production facilities.
In 2008, with the implementation of the Biofuels Law, Southeast Asia's first integrated bioethanol and co-generation power plant was established in Negros, Philippines, to supply the nation's requirement on fuel-blend ethanol. The plant requires approximately 450,000 tons of sugarcane per year of operation or approximately 7,000 hectares of farm planted with sugarcane. District-wide validation and re-mapping of sugarcane areas were carried out with the use of GIS for proper planning and management.
The baseline information stored in a database was very instrumental during the plant's pre-operational and operational stage in terms of feedstock planning and management, logistics planning, and farm planning and operations. Further, it helps in surveying idle and available lands for future expansion.
Anabele Natividad
Bronzeoak Philippines, Inc
Suite 1207 Security Bank Centre
Ayala Avenue 6776
Makati, Metro Manila 1226
Philippines
Phone: +6327520050
E-mail: anatividad@bronzeoakph.com