Implementation of Bioenergy from Palm Oil Waste in Indonesia

Author(s): Rizky Fauzianto

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Abstract: Nowadays, the use of Renewable Energy (RE) has been proposed because the concerns with the price fluctuation of oil due to its high demand and its environmental benefits. In the field of RE, at present there is a continuously increasing interest concerning bioenergy from palm oil. Nevertheless, several studies point out the environmental impacts of bioenergy when compared to conventional energy and therefore question, if bioenergy in general is more environmentally friendly than conventional energy use, is still exist. Though researches have been carried out on different forms of bioenergy from palm oil waste, little is known about which part of palm oil waste and implementation are the most beneficial for the environment. There are few ways for that: pelletization, gasification, liquefaction and the latest been found, torrefaction, a low temperature at 200-300oC under an inert atmosphere which effective for improving the energy density and the shelf life of biomass. In this paper, it is aimed to analyze the implementation A to Z of waste utilization from palm oil cultivation through the torrefaction process towards its environmental impacts. This article uses palm oil real data from Indonesia as a potential country for biomass energy production given its equatorial climate. The result will be of use in modeling commercial production of bio-coal from palm oil waste regarding its impact to environment.