Thesis Archive
Kane’s Simulation Modeling of Biofuel Production Dynamics in the Philippines (2011)
Co, John Daniel
Gaw Leonard Angelo
Abstract:
-This study reports the dynamic simulation done on the biofuel supply chain in the Philippines using standard Kane’s Simulation as the basis for modeling along with some modifications. The report covers the most currently promising feedstock in the Philippines including sugarcane, corn, coconut, and jatropha, as well as the inclusion of the effect of government intervention and rain anomalies on the production capacity of the feedstock and biofuel through case by case scenarios. Although subjective by nature, regional data from several local and international agencies have been used to provide numerical basis in the Kane’s Simulation model needed to progress results analytically. The initial result shows, with the current supply in the market, that there will be food displacement as feedstock is used more preferably for the production of biofuels. However, if certain government action were to promote more investments in the feedstock sector, the result shows that sugarcane and jatropha are the most sustainable in meeting the demand of the bioethanol and biodiesel respectively. Thus, the Philippine government is advised to reconsider and initiate more projects in these sectors to address the extreme dependency on oil imports, although it is best to remember that Kane’s Simulation simply shows the trend and not focused on its exact values.
Adviser:
Raymond R. Tan
Luis F. Razon