Oil palm biomass as a sustainable energy source: A Malaysian case study

Published Date
Energy
September 2009, Vol.34(9):1225–1235, doi:10.1016/j.energy.2009.05.008

• Author 

• S.H. Shuit
• K.T. Tan
• K.T. Lee ^,
• A.H. Kamaruddin

• School of Chemical Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Engineering Campus, Seri Ampangan, 14300 Nibong Tebal, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

Received 24 October 2008. Revised 13 May 2009. Accepted 14 May 2009. Available online 13 June 2009. 

Abstract

It has been widely accepted worldwide that global warming is by far the greatest threat and challenge in the new millennium. In order to stop global warming and to promote sustainable development, renewable energy is a perfect solution to achieve both targets. Presently million hectares of land in Malaysia is occupied with oil palm plantation generating huge quantities of biomass. In this context, biomass from oil palm industries appears to be a very promising alternative as a source of raw materials including renewable energy in Malaysia. Thus, this paper aims to present current scenario of biomass in Malaysia covering issues on availability and sustainability of feedstock as well as current and possible utilization of oil palm biomass. This paper will also discuss feasibility of some biomass conversion technologies and some ongoing projects in Malaysia related to utilization of oil palm biomass as a source of renewable energy. Based on the findings presented, it is definitely clear that Malaysia has position herself in the right path to utilize biomass as a source of renewable energy and this can act as an example to other countries in the world that has huge biomass feedstock.

Keywords

Biomass conversion technology

Cellulose feedstock

Renewable energy

Sustainability

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• ∗ 
  Corresponding author. Tel.: +604 5996467; fax: +604 5941013.

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Analysis of Palm Biomass as Electricity from Palm Oil Mills in North Sumatera

Published Date
Energy Procedia
2014, Vol.47:166–172, doi:10.1016/j.egypro.2014.01.210
Conference and Exhibition Indonesia Renewable Energy & Energy Conservation [Indonesia EBTKE-CONEX 2013]
Open Access, Creative Commons license

Author 

• Muhammad Ansori Nasution ^,
 
• Tjahjono Herawan
 
• Meta Rivani

• Indonesian Oil Palm Research Institute (IOPRI), Jalan Brigjen Katamso 51, Medan 20158, Indonesia

Available online 4 February 2014.

Abstract

Empty fruit bunch, shell, and fiber are palm biomass waste that can be converted to energy by cogeneration system. On the other hand, electricity shortages severely hampered the development of North Sumatera. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to present a potential analysis of palm biomass waste in generating electricity by palm oil mills in North Sumatera. Some palm oil mills in North Sumatera were analyzed in electric potential by using collected data, questionnaires and interviews. The results show that a POM with 30 tones FFB/hour generates at least 20 MW (20 MW to 35 MW).

Keywords

renewable energy

palm biomass

electricity

palm oil mill 

North Sumatera

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• ☆
  Selection and peer-review under responsibility of the Scientific Committee of Indonesia EBTKE Conex 2013.

• ⁎ 
  Corresponding author. Tel.: +62 61 7862477; fax: +62 61 7862488.

Copyright © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

For further details log on website :
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1876610214002264