Energy-driven Supply Chain Network Design (E-SCND) framework for efficient cold chain network

Cold food supply chains are essential for preserving the quality and safety of perishable products. However, they are highly energy-intensive, with refrigeration accounting for up to 35% of energy consumption in the food industry. This demand, exacerbated by rising temperatures and increasing food needs, generates significant environmental, economic, and social challenges. While existing strategies focus on improving energy efficiency through technological advancements, such as advanced cooling systems and predictive analytics, these solutions often neglect the broader supply chain network and the influence of site-specific climatic factors. This study introduces an energy-driven supply chain network design framework that integrates logistical considerations with geographic and climatic variability to optimize the overall supply chain. Employing a mixed-integer linear programming approach, the model minimizes total costs by balancing refrigeration energy requirements and transportation ones. A testbed case study featuring a multi-echelon network in Northern Italy validates the framework. Results demonstrate significant savings, with up to 35% reductions in total costs and over 50% decreases in energy consumption in specific iterations. By incorporating energy considerations alongside logistical metrics, the proposed framework provides a holistic approach to network design, ensuring adaptability and resilience. The results highlight the potential for sustainable cold food supply chain configurations that address operational demands while promoting long-term environmental and economic sustainability.