{"id":17,"date":"2011-02-10T23:10:03","date_gmt":"2011-02-10T15:10:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/64.78.3.17\/energywise\/?p=17"},"modified":"2019-03-27T13:25:35","modified_gmt":"2019-03-27T05:25:35","slug":"optimising-the-utilisation-of-renewable-energy-resources-in-the-palm-oil-industry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/rank.com.my\/energywise\/?p=17","title":{"rendered":"Optimising the Utilisation of Renewable Energy Resources in the Oil Palm Industry"},"content":{"rendered":"

Greenhouse Gas Emission Control is the Need of the Hour<\/b><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"greenhouse<\/a><\/p>\n

Back in the 70’s there was a wave by countries to promote energy savings and energy efficiency driven by economic reasons following a hefty rise in oil prices. Today again there is another wave, and even more vigorous, but this time exerted by environmental considerations. The call is for sustainability, and more specifically to reduce harmful greenhouse gas (GHG) emission urgently to protect the world against climate change. Reducing greenhouse gas emission also goes hand in hand with enhancing our energy security, i.e., reducing dependence on fossil fuel and diversifying energy resources.<\/span><\/p>\n

As global attention increasingly focuses on the environmental impact of economic activities, any unsustainable activity, particularly one that has adverse effects on the environment, is increasingly criticised. Where there exists an opportunity to reduce the negative impact on the environment any disregard of the said opportunity is also criticised as every industry is expected to find and implement ways to address this issue.<\/p>\n

These environmental considerations are increasing the economic interest in technologies which can bring about efficient energy production and energy usage coupled with low emission. One way to achieve this is by means of an efficient use of biomass, which is a proven way to abate damage to the natural environment by displacing the use of fossil fuel. At the same time we must also take note that biomass is a scarce energy resource and therefore it is imperative that not only must we find a way to unleash the energy potential in biomass but find the most efficient use for its energy potential in order to displace the maximum amount of fossil fuel and to reverse the harmful effects of fossil fuel burning on the environment.<\/p>\n

\"Oil<\/a><\/p>\n

In this regard, of late, industries are coming under heavy criticism for not fulfilling their corporate social responsibility that is, for not doing more to contribute towards environmental and economic sustainability and the oil palm industry is not spared in this respect. While palm oil extraction and its processing technology are not new, increasing energy savings, by way of harnessing renewable energy in biomass residue, has not been fully exploited. Clearly there is a golden opportunity for the palm oil industry to develop further the technologies of energy production and usage because it is in the enviable position of having access to an abundant source of biomass plus a ready and growing demand for process heating within the palm oil mills and elsewhere to displace the burning of fossil fuel. Therefore there is merit in examining in greater depth on how to harness the renewable energy content in its biomass residue in an optimal manner.<\/p>\n

On this note, it is commendable that Malaysia has volunteered to contribute toward this urgent international need to abate GHG emissions by setting voluntary targets for GHG emission reduction as its contribution as a nation sensitive to the pressing needs of the international community.<\/p>\n

How Malaysia can contribute: What can we do to meet our targets for boosting energy savings and diversifying energy sources?<\/h3>\n
    \n
  1. On the energy supply side, maximise the usage of renewable energy resources (carbon-neutral energy sources) available, consistent with our geographic location and economics to displace as much as possible the usage of fossil fuels, which is one of the biggest contributors of GHG.<\/li>\n
  2. Minimise avoidable losses (whether it is heat or electricity) by improving energy generation \/ conversion efficiency.<\/li>\n
  3. Abate sources of GHG emission – e.g. methane emission in uncontrolled biomass decomposition.<\/li>\n
  4. Manage energy demand efficiently, like better use of steam\/heat, efficient industrial process design and operation, use of energy efficient motors and variable speed drives, automation, LED lights.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    What are the Objectives for Using Renewable Energy (Biomass)?<\/h3>\n
      \n
    1. Sustainability of the Environment\n