Optimization Of Natural Gas Supply Chain Network Layout From The Perspective Of Flexibility

With the proposal of the "dual carbon" goal,countries around the world are continuously developing lower carbon energy systems and pursuing the goal of achieving net zero emissions.Energy transformation has also become a basic strategy for China’s economic and energy development.As a clean and low-carbon fossil energy,natural gas is an important transitional energy source in energy transformation.However,the phenomenon of tight global energy supply and severe price fluctuations is most evident in the natural gas market,especially in the liquefied natural gas supply,which has been in a tense state.And in recent years,the uncertainty of the natural gas supply environment has increased,and supply disruptions caused by unexpected events will have a significant negative impact on national energy security.Therefore,the importance of building a stable,reliable,and diversified flexible supply chain is highlighted.Improving the flexibility of the natural gas supply chain can ensure the stability and safety of natural gas supply in an environment with frequent emergencies and uncertainties,which is also more conducive to national security and ensuring people’s livelihoods.This research is based on reading a large amount of literature on supply chain flexibility and supply chain network layout optimization.At the same time,continuous attention and research were conducted on the knowledge of the natural gas industry and the dynamics of the international natural gas market,thereby clarifying the research ideas and methods of the article.Firstly,this paper analyzes the network structure,main links,and facilities of the natural gas supply chain.And through the study of the current situation of China’s natural gas supply chain,the characteristics of China’s large proportion of natural gas imports,separation of production areas and consumer markets,etc.,are summarized.Plus,the main channels and key nodes of the natural gas supply chain network layout are further screened.At the same time,the flexibility elements of the natural gas supply chain were identified,and 11 quantifiable flexibility indicators were selected to measure the flexibility level of the natural gas supply chain.The flexibility measurement method was determined by combining the "addition mode".The flexibility level of China’s natural gas supply chain in 2021 was measured to be 1.25 using actual data,proving the effectiveness of the calculation method.By determining the goal of optimizing the natural gas network layout as maximizing the flexibility level of the natural gas supply chain,optimizing the natural gas volume from 10 countries,and assuming the conditions of the model,a multi-objective optimization model for the natural gas supply chain network layout in China is constructed.This paper chose to use genetic algorithm for problem solving and designed an optimization solution method.To keep the research close to reality,this article sets two optimization scenarios with different upper limits for domestic natural gas production.Finally.MATLAB software was used to optimize the natural gas supply chain in China in 2021.and specific data on the changes in natural gas volume from different sources were obtained.Through discussion and analysis of the optimization results,it was found that under the two optimization scenarios,the flexibility level of the natural gas supply chain was increased to 1.384 and 1.283,and the dependency risk was reduced to 2.325 and 2.539,respectively.The optimization goal of improving the overall flexibility of the natural gas supply chain was determined to be achieved.Corresponding optimization directions for the natural gas supply chain are provided,providing decision-making references for the construction and optimization of China’s natural gas supply chain.