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Guides

Demonstrator for Energy Savings

July 2026

This demonstrator focuses on energy-efficient supply chain routing and the optimization of logistics pathways to reduce Global Warming Potential (GWP). It is an interactive visualization platform that allows users to explore how selecting energy-efficient maritime, rail, and multimodal supply chain routes instead of standard transportation methods reduces carbon footprint and operational costs.

The demonstrator evaluates both transport-based emissions (distance × transport mode) and energy-based processing emissions at nodes (ports, warehouses, distribution centers) throughout the supply chain. By visualizing complete supply chain networks and their environmental impact, users can make informed decisions about route selection and understand the trade-offs between route length, transport mode, and energy efficiency.

Energy-Efficient Supply Chain Routing

Energy-efficient supply chain routing is a strategic approach to reducing operational carbon emissions by optimizing transportation and logistics decisions. Rather than selecting the shortest physical distance, energy-efficient routing considers the carbon footprint of different transport modes, the energy consumption at supply chain nodes, and the total environmental impact of the entire journey from origin to destination.

Transport Modes and Emission Factors

The demonstrator models realistic emission factors for four primary transport modes used in global supply chains:

  • Sea Transport: 0.008 kg CO₂-eq/km — The lowest-carbon mode for long-distance routes. Ideal for intercontinental shipments despite longer transit times.
  • Rail Transport: 0.025 kg CO₂-eq/km — A middle-ground option offering good carbon efficiency for continental routes, particularly suited to Europe and Asia.
  • Truck Transport: 0.085 kg CO₂-eq/km — Higher emissions per kilometer, but provides flexibility for last-mile delivery and shorter regional routes.
  • Air Transport: 0.255 kg CO₂-eq/km — The highest-carbon mode, reserved for time-critical shipments where carbon cost is outweighed by speed requirements.

How It Works

The demonstrator guides users through an interactive supply chain visualization experience:

  1. Explore the Supply Chain Network by viewing all available nodes (ports, warehouses, facilities) and their locations on an interactive global map with zoom and pan controls.
  2. Select a Predefined Supply Chain Route to see the complete path with all intermediate segments, transport modes, and distances. The route highlights on the map and shows the route ID and status.
  3. View Detailed GWP Analysis by opening the side drawer panel showing comprehensive environmental data including transport emissions, processing emissions at nodes, and total route GWP.
  4. Compare All Routes to see how different supply chain options stack up in terms of distance and environmental impact using the built-in route comparison tool.

Key Features

A. Interactive Network Visualization

The Network tab provides a comprehensive view of all supply chain nodes and their geographic relationships:

  • Global Map Display: An interactive Leaflet-based map showing all supply chain nodes as blue pins with labels indicating port codes and node types.
  • Node Categories: Nodes are distinguished by type (ports, warehouses, distribution centers) and region, color-coded for easy identification of supply chain segments.
  • Zoom and Pan Controls: Users can zoom in to view specific regions or zoom out to see continental supply chain routes in their entirety.
  • Node Selection: Clicking on any node zooms the map to that location and displays node-specific details including code, type, and location.

B. Route Selection and Visualization

The Select Route tab enables users to explore predefined supply chain routes with complete environmental transparency:

  • Predefined Routes: Five reference routes model realistic supply chains including Asia-to-Europe (sea), Europe-to-Americas (air), and regional options (rail/truck combinations).
  • Route Segments: Each route is composed of multiple segments showing origin, destination, transport mode, distance, and calculated GWP for that segment.
  • Map Visualization: Selected routes are displayed as red lines on the map, showing the complete path with all intermediate nodes and waypoints.
  • Route Details Card: A comprehensive information panel shows Route ID, transport mode, status (Planned/Active), total distance, and total GWP for quick reference.

C. GWP Impact Analysis

The GWP (Global Warming Potential) drawer panel provides a detailed breakdown of all emissions associated with a selected route:

  • Total GWP Summary: Shows the complete carbon footprint in kg CO₂-eq, with an "Energy-based" badge indicating inclusion of processing emissions.
  • Three-Part GWP Breakdown:
    • Process/Energy GWP: Emissions from facility operations and energy processing at each node
    • Transport GWP: Emissions from moving goods across all segments (distance × mode factor)
    • Total GWP: The sum of process and transport emissions
  • Transport GWP Breakdown Table: Segment-by-segment detail showing origin, destination, transport mode (Sea, Rail, Truck, Air), distance, and segment-specific GWP.
  • Node GWP Breakdown Table: Processing emissions at each supply chain node, sorted by highest emissions first to highlight optimization opportunities.
  • Last Calculated Timestamp: Indicates when the GWP data was computed, ensuring transparency about data freshness.

D. Route Comparison Statistics

The comparison tool allows side-by-side evaluation of all available routes:

  • Comparative Metrics: Each route card displays total distance (km) and total GWP (kg CO₂-eq) with visual progress bars proportional to emissions.
  • Visual Hierarchy: The currently selected route is highlighted in green to indicate focus, while alternative routes appear in gray with amber progress bars.
  • Relative Comparison: Progress bars scale proportionally to the highest-emission route, making it easy to see which options deliver the best environmental performance.
  • Route Metadata: Each comparison card shows the route name, number of segments, and segment mode distribution for at-a-glance understanding of route complexity.

Step-by-Step Guide: Using Demonstrator 1

  1. Access the Demonstrator
    • Navigate to the demonstrator from the platform landing page
    • Read the introduction explaining supply chain optimization and GWP reduction strategies
  2. Explore the Network Tab
    • Start with the Network tab to see all supply chain nodes on the global map
    • Use zoom controls to explore different regions and understand node geography
    • Click on nodes to zoom to their location and see node-specific details
  3. Switch to Select Route Tab
    • Click the Select Route tab to view available predefined routes
    • Read the reference route instructions explaining the two simulation goals
  4. Select a Route to Analyze
    • Click on a route from the list to highlight it on the map
    • Observe the red line showing the complete supply chain path with all segments
    • The map automatically zooms to show the entire route at once
  5. Open the GWP Analysis Drawer
    • Click on the selected route to open the right-side drawer panel
    • Review the Route Segments section showing all waypoints and distances
    • Expand the collapsible Route Segments - GWP Breakdown for detailed segment data
  6. Review the GWP Summary
    • Scroll to the GWP SUMMARY section in the drawer panel
    • View the three-part breakdown: Process/Energy GWP, Transport GWP, and Total GWP
    • Review the Transport GWP Breakdown table for segment-by-segment analysis
    • Check the Node GWP Breakdown table to identify high-emission processing locations
  7. Compare All Routes
    • Click the "Compare All Routes" button in the Route Summary section
    • View side-by-side comparison of distance and GWP for all available routes
    • Use the visual progress bars to identify the most energy-efficient option
    • Note which routes minimize distance versus which minimize environmental impact
  8. Experiment with Different Routes
    • Select different routes to understand how transport mode affects emissions
    • Compare sea routes (lower emissions per km) versus shorter air routes (higher speed, higher emissions)
    • Observe how node processing emissions vary by region and facility type

Tips and Best Practices

  • Sea routes deliver lowest per-unit emissions: Maritime transport at 0.008 kg CO₂-eq/km is orders of magnitude more efficient than air at 0.255 kg CO₂-eq/km. For non-urgent shipments, maritime routes offer the greatest environmental advantage despite longer transit times.
  • Distance is not always decisive: A longer route using sea transport can have lower total GWP than a shorter route using air transport. Total environmental impact depends on both distance AND transport mode.
  • Node processing emissions matter: Not all carbon comes from transportation. Energy efficiency at warehouses, ports, and distribution centers significantly impacts total route GWP. Look for routes through low-emission facility networks.
  • Multimodal routes offer balance: Combining sea (long-distance, low-carbon) with rail or truck (short-distance, flexible) often provides a sweet spot between speed, cost, and environmental impact.
  • Route optimization is scenario-specific: The best route depends on delivery urgency, cost constraints, and environmental goals. Use the comparison tool to find the right balance for your business needs.
  • Consider joining the platform: The public demonstrator provides hands-on visualization. Joining the ResC4EU platform gives access to real supply chain data, route optimization algorithms, and collaboration with logistics partners.

Technical Details

  • GWP Methodology: Calculations follow the GWP 100-year characterization factor approach. Transport emissions are calculated as distance × transport-mode-specific emission factor. Node processing emissions are estimated based on facility type and location efficiency.
  • Emission Factors: Transport mode factors (Sea: 0.008, Rail: 0.025, Truck: 0.085, Air: 0.255 kg CO₂-eq/km) are based on industry averages and lifecycle assessment literature. Node processing factors vary by region and facility type to reflect realistic energy efficiency.
  • Deterministic GWP Calculation: Energy-based processing emissions are calculated using seeded random functions keyed to route ID and node names, ensuring consistent values across multiple route selections and session refreshes.
  • Client-Side Simulation: All calculations are performed in the browser using React state management — no data is transmitted to or stored on ResC4EU servers.
  • Map Rendering: Interactive maps use Leaflet with OpenStreetMap tiles. Routes automatically zoom to optimal viewing level based on geographic span and aspect ratio.
  • Framework: Built with Next.js 16 and React 19, using Tailwind CSS for styling and shadcn/ui components for UI elements. State is managed with React hooks and client-side context where needed.

References

    Description of this demonstrator and its open dataset are available through Zenodo, a trusted open-access repository, enabling their reuse in future applications. Developed by CERN and supported by the European research community, Zenodo provides free and long-term access to scientific datasets and research outputs.

  • Description: https://zenodo.org/records/21163921
  • Open Research Dataset: https://zenodo.org/records/21204839