Technical Note BB24: Biomass supply chain risk

Managing biomass supply chain risk is a critical part of ensuring that a stationary heat facility always has adequate fuel supply.

Solid biofuel supply is not like purchasing electricity where quality of supply is regulated and so once it has been determined that there is adequate cable and transformer capacity for the facility, price is the only aspect that is negotiable. With solid biofuels the purchaser has to ensure that the fuel delivered also meets the specification for their boiler.

Supplier capability to source and deliver also has to be adequate so that the purchaser can be confident that supply will continue as specified for the term of the contract.

Risk applies to activities starting at harvest point and ending at plant gate.

This note applies to all sources of biomass including that of organic waste.