In day-to-day management, it will be very difficult to achieve JIT delivery of any feedstock for 24/7 operation. All multi-bale handling unit concepts must include some at-plant storage. Even when known quantities of feedstock are stored in a network of SSLs, and a Feedstock Manager is controlling the deliveries, there will be delays.

To give a frame of reference, suppose 3 days of at-plant storage is the design goal. This inventory amount may suffice in the Southeast where ice and snow on the roads is not typically a significant problem for winter operations. But in the Midwest, additional days of at-plant storage will be required. A visualization of 3-day at-plant storage is shown in Figure 10. The number of racks shown is not part of the "cost analysis" example given later.

Bales will remain in the rack until processed; there is no individual bale handling at the plant. This is a very important aspect of any multi-bale handling system. This reduction in bale handling not only reduces cost, but also reduces damage to the bales. The integrity of the bales will be maintained, and bales will have additional protection from the rain since the rack has a top cover.