%0 Journal Article %J Technology Innovation Management Review %D 2021 %T Simulating a Biorefinery Ecosystem to Manage and Motivate Sustainable Regional Nutrient Circulation %A Olli Koskela %A Clemens Dempers %A Maritta Kymäläinen %A Jarkko Nummela %K Bioreactor %K circular economy %K nutrient recycling %K simulation %K waste management %X Creating an ecologically sustainable circulation of nutrients requires local solutions with commitment from all participating parties. Due to vast differences between various regions, it is very complicated, if not impossible, to create fair, simple, and applicable legislation that can consider all of these differences in a meaningful way. Thus, there is a need for clear and easy ways of developing sustainable and viable solutions locally, as well as communicating them with local community and all the way up to the supervising governmental representatives. To meet this need, we developed a simulation tool that allows the user to explore the effectiveness and impact of a local biorefinery in waste management. As an iterative model based on state machine agents, it can easily be modified for a multitude of scenarios with changes taking place over time, while considering the viewing points of all involved. In this article, we report the first version of this tool and demonstrate its usefulness in estimating suitable biogas reactor size in a biorefinery. %B Technology Innovation Management Review %I Talent First Network %C Ottawa %V 11 %P 33-43 %8 02/2021 %G eng %U timreview.ca/article/1421 %N 2 %1 Häme University of Applied Sciences Olli Koskela is currently working as a research manager at Häme University of Applied Sciences with a data science team. His research areas include many bioeconomic processes, such as dairy production, feed quality management, and soil maintenance. He holds a Master of Science degree in applied mathematics from Helsinki University and is finalizing his PhD thesis in the field of biomedical engineering at Tampere University. %2 University of Pretoria Clemens Dempers obtained a MSc in Physics at the University of Natal and is a registered professional physicist. He is interested in multi-paradigm data science and modeling & simulation of complex systems, and how these methodologies can enable better decision making. Clemens has been involved in multiple consulting projects, in South Africa, Botswana, India, New Zealand, and Finland. He is currently enrolled in a PhD program at the University of Pretoria in the Industrial & Systems Engineering department. %3 Häme University of Applied Sciences Maritta Kymäläinen is currently working as a principal research scientist and leader of a biomass refining team at Häme University of Applied Sciences. She has expertise in valorization of biowastes and side streams by thermal and biotechnical processes, and considerable experience in managing R&D projects related to circular bioeconomy, nutrient recycling, algae production, and overall utilization chains of waste and side streams from horticulture, agriculture, and the food industry. She holds a Doctor of Science (technology) degree in chemical engineering from Åbo Akademi University, and a M.Sc. degree in bioengineering at Helsinki University of Technology. %4 Häme University of Applied Sciences Jarkko Nummela is currently working as a research service manager in Häme University of Applied Sciences. He has worked as a researcher in various applied research projects mainly with circular economy and especially nutrient circulation. Conversion of biomasses into algae, biogas or biochar has been the main method utilized in his nutrient circulation projects. Jarkko received his MSc (tech) degree in mechanics from the Technical University of Lappeenranta. He has work experience for many years in the metal industry. In early 2000, he graduated from a Biotechnology and Food Engineering degree program at Häme University of Applied Sciences. %& 33 %R http://doi.org/10.22215/timreview/1421