Palm oil plantation operations and processing of crude palm oil (CPO) always leave biomass which is often referred to as palm oil industry waste. The existence of this biomass often becomes a problem if it is thrown away or left alone. In fact, palm biomass can provide benefits for various purposes, such as being converted into environmentally friendly fuel, including fuel for power plants.
Palm oil by-products are known to many as good raw materials for fuel in power plants. Many countries in the world are starting to switch to palm biomass because it is an environmentally friendly and renewable fuel source.
There are many types of palm oil biomass, including empty fruit bunches, fruit fiber, shells, tree trunks, fronds and Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) or liquid palm oil waste. Of all existing palm oil biomass, as much as 70% is palm tree fronds, while empty fruit bunches account for 10% and palm stems account for 5%.
As much as 89% of the total biomass produced is generally used as fuel, mulch and fertilizer. Biomass can also be converted into bio coal as a substitute for coal. Using bio pellets or bio coal as fuel for power plants is more environmentally friendly because it can reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Biomass fueled power plants can also be integrated with palm oil processing factories so that they are always a renewable energy source available. Its existence also brings great benefits to society.