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Research Project
MODELOS E SISTEMAS DE CONTROLO PREDITIVO APLICADOS À INDÚSTRIA DE BASE FLORESTAL
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Model predictive control applied to a supply chain management problem
Publication . Pinho, Tatiana M.; Coelho, João Paulo; Moreira, António Paulo G. M.; Boaventura-Cunha, José
Supply chains are ubiquitous in any commercial delivery systems. The exchange of goods and services, from different supply points to distinct destinations scattered along a given geographical area, requires the management of stocks and vehicles fleets in order to minimize costs while maintaining good quality services. Even if the operating conditions remain constant over a given time horizon, managing a supply chain is a very complex task. Its complexity increases exponentially with both the number of network nodes and the dynamical operational changes. Moreover, the management system must be adaptive in order to easily cope with several disturbances such as machinery and vehicles breakdowns or changes in demand. This work proposes the use of a model predictive control paradigm in order to tackle the above referred issues. The obtained simulation results suggest that this strategy promotes an easy tasks rescheduling in case of disturbances or anticipated changes in operating conditions. © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2017
Modelling a biomass supply chain through discrete-event simulation
Publication . Pinho, Tatiana M.; Coelho, João Paulo; Moreira, António Paulo G. M.; Boaventura-Cunha, José
The organizational structure of the companies in the biomass energy sector,
regarding the supply chain management services, can be greatly improved through the use
of software decision support tools. These tools should be able to provide real-time alternative
scenarios when deviations from the initial production plans are observed. To make this possible it
is necessary to have representative production chain process models where several scenarios and
solutions can be evaluated accurately. Due to its nature, this type of process is more adequately
represented by means of event-based models. In particular, this work presents the modelling of
a typical biomass production chain using the computing platform SIMEVENTS. Throughout
the article details about the conceptual model, as well as simulation results, are provided
Routing and schedule simulation of a biomass energy supply chain through SimPy simulation package
Publication . Pinho, T.M.; Coelho, João Paulo; Oliveira, P.M.; Oliveira, B.; Marques, A.; Rasinmäki, J.; Moreira, António Paulo G. M.; Veiga, G.; Boaventura-Cunha, José
The optimisation of forest fuels supply chain involves several entities actors, and particularities. To successfully manage these supply chains, efficient tools must be devised with the ability to deal with stakeholders dynamic interactions and to optimize the supply chain performance as a whole while being stable and robust, even in the presence of uncertainties. This work proposes a framework to coordinate different planning levels and event-based models to manage the forest-based supply chain. In particular, with the new methodology, the resilience and flexibility of the biomass supply chain is increased through a closed-loop system based on the system forecasts provided by a discrete-event model. The developed event-based predictive model will be described in detail, explaining its link with the remaining elements. The implemented models and their links within the proposed framework are presented in a case study in Finland and results are shown to illustrate the advantage of the proposed architecture.
Forest-based supply chain modelling using the SimPy simulation framework
Publication . Pinho, Tatiana M.; Coelho, João Paulo; Boaventura-Cunha, José
Proper management of supply chains is fundamental in the overall system performance of forestbased
activities. Usually, efficient management techniques rely on a decision support software,
which needs to be able to generate fast and effective outputs from the set of possibilities.
In order to do this, it is necessary to provide accurate models representative of the dynamic
interactions of systems. Due to forest-based supply chains’ nature, event-based models are more
suited to describe their behaviours. This work proposes the modelling and simulation of a forestbased
supply chain, in particular the biomass supply chain, through the SimPy framework. This
Python based tool allows the modelling of discrete-event systems using operations such as events,
processes and resources. The developed model was used to access the impact of changes in the
daily working plan in three situations. First, as a control case, the deterministic behaviour was
simulated. As a second approach, a machine delay was introduced and its implications in the plan
accomplishment were analysed. Finally, to better address real operating conditions, stochastic
behaviours of processing and driving times were simulated. The obtained results validate the
SimPy simulation environment as a framework for modelling supply chains in general and for
the biomass problem in particular.
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Funding agency
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Funding programme
Funding Award Number
SFRH/BD/98032/2013