Designing integrated local production systems: A study on the food-energy-water nexus. (1st November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Leung Pah Hang, Melissa Yuling; Martinez-Hernandez, Elias; Leach, Matthew; Yang, Aidong
• Is Part Of: Journal of cleaner production. Volume 135(2016:Nov.)
• Page Start: 1065
• Page End: 1084
• Publication Date: 2016-11-01
• Subjects: Local production system -- Mathematical optimisation -- Resource consumption -- Exergy -- Food-energy-water nexus; Factory and trade waste -- Management -- Periodicals; Manufactures -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Déchets industriels -- Gestion -- Périodiques; Usines -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; 628.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.06.194
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-6526

Abstract

Abstract: Centralised production of essential products and services based on fossil fuels and large scale distribution infrastructures has contributed to a plethora of issues such as deterioration of ecosystems, social-economic injustice and depletion of resources. The establishment of local production systems that deliver various products for local consumption (e.g. food, energy and water) by making the best use of locally available renewable resources can potentially alleviate unsustainable resource consumption. The main objective of this work is to develop process systems engineering tools combined with the concept of resource accounting using exergy for the design of such local production systems. A general design framework comprising an optional preliminary design stage followed by a simultaneous design stage based on mathematical optimisation is proposed. The preliminary design stage considers each supply subsystem individually and allows insights into the potential interactions between them. The simultaneous design stage yields an optimal design of the local production system and has the capacity to include all design integration possibilities between the subsystems and generate a truly integrated design solution. The proposed methodology, which reflects generalised principles for designing local production systems, has been illustrated through a case study on the integrated design of the food-energy-water nexus for a designated eco-town in UK. It demonstrates the advantages of an integrated design of a system making use of local resources to meet its demands over a system relying on centralised supplies and a design without considering integration opportunities between subsystems. Highlights: Mathematical approach proposed to design local integrated production systems. Use of locally available resources to meet local demands sustainably. Cumulative exergy consumption used an as indicator of resource intensity. Design of local food, energy and water production system based on the nexus concept. Demonstrated that local integrated system can be more resource efficient than centralised system.