Building an Export-Oriented Wood Pellet Plant from an Energy Plantation

Although geographically, Indonesia is the largest country in the Southeast Asian region and has a tropical climate, the export of wood pellets from Indonesia is still very small and far less than Vietnam. The destination of Vietnam wood pellet exports to Korea and Japan. Japan's wood pellet imports in 2018 are estimated to be more than 1 million tons, or that number is almost double that of 2017, with a percentage of 63% coming from Canada and 31% from Vietnam. It means a small area but able to export wood pellets to Japan with a minimum of 310 thousand tons / year, while Indonesia is estimated to be less than 100,000 tons / year.

Indonesia is also very potential to develop energy plantations for the production of wood pellets. Even the energy plantation can be integrated with large farms such as sheep, cows and goats and honey beekeeping, for more details, please read here. So that in addition to the energy sector, the food sector and environmental conservation in the form of water and land can also be maintained. Why are currently no wood pellet producers from export-oriented energy plantations in Indonesia? Even though the potential of raw materials and markets is huge. Profit estimates are also interesting especially with the optimization of land use and the energy plantation harvest.

There are several analyzes, to answer this, among others as follows, first is market access. The market or buyer is important for investment in a wood pellet factory worth hundreds of billions, so the market guarantee is very important. Abundant production but no one absorbs it or the buyer will make the factory stop production and go bankrupt. The characteristics of wood pellet products will also determine the user or user of the wood pellet. Although the same is for power plant consumption but the power generation technology is also different, so it requires different technical specifications of wood pellets.

Second, the cost factor. Cost factor may be the main obstacle, this is because wood pellet plants from energy plantations are not something cheap, but they are generally cheaper than palm oil mills and plantations, for more details, please read here. But with good prospects in the renewable energy sector from biomass, there should be many investors interested in investing in this business. Non-usurious mutual investment is the best choice to execute it. It is estimated that for wood pellet plant with a capacity of 10,000 tons / month (20 tons / hour), more than 100 billion rupiah.

Next, the third factor is infrastructure. A number of regions do not yet have adequate infrastructure despite the vast available land. Provision of infrastructure such as roads, bridges and so on is not something that is easy and inexpensive, so that it can be a significant obstacle. This is why site selection is important. The availability of electricity is another thing that needs attention and is an important consideration. Electricity is vital for wood pellet production or factories. If it turns out there is no electricity supply, then the wood pellet plant must make a power plant. With a range of 250 KW of electricity demand per ton/hour of wood pellet production, for wood pellet production with a standard export volume of at least 10,000 tons/month or 10,000 tons/shipment or 20 tons/hour requires 5 MW.

The power plant is quite large, as comparison because for the size of a large palm oil mill the electricity needs are only around 2.5 MW and the investment in power plants for each MW is 1 million US dollars, so for 5 MW it requires 5 million US dollars or around 70 billion rupiah. Infrastructure such as adequate ports is also very important. Wood pellet plants generally have wood pellet storage units close to the port so that they are easy to ship. The wood pellet storage facility with a capacity of 10,000 tons also requires a large enough building, estimated at more than 50 billion rupiah.

Wood pellet port with storage facility at Prince Rupert, BC, Canada

At present, wood pellet production generally only relies on sawmill waste and wood industry waste. Supply of raw materials fluctuating in both quality and quantity. In the rainy season in general, wood processing factories need more waste as fuel to dry wood they processed, so that wood waste that can be taken is reduced or only a little, even not left. This is different from the production of wood pellets from energy plantations because it guarantees a better supply of raw materials. But cultivation and harvesting technology must also be mastered properly to be able to better guarantee the supply of raw materials to the plant. For plants, guaranteed supply of raw materials is vital. The plant will immediately close if there are no raw materials to process. Wood pellet plant generally have a large warehouse of raw materials, which also functions as a buffer for their production.

Next is the mastery of wood pellet production technology itself. To maintain the quality and quantity of wood pellets that are as expected, the mastery of production technology is absolutely necessary, in addition to handling the product to the shipment. The critical points of the production process such as particle size, level of dryness, pelleting and cooling must be of particular concern. Wood pellet products that can be accepted by the international market almost all must meet two standard requirements, namely quality standards and environmental standards (sustainability). Quality standards are closely related to the technical aspects of the wood pellet itself or its production aspects. While environmental aspects are closely related to the origin of raw materials, and various environmental aspects that make wood pellet raw materials sustainable, and for more details can be read here.

The momentum of the energy plantation is predicted to not be long anymore, even Sri Lanka will soon produce wood pellets from the gliricidae energy plantation of 150 thousand tons/year or more than 10,000 tons/month, for more details, please read here. Gliricidae as well as calliandra are a group of leguminous plants (leguminoceae) and gliricidae are more popular and have been planted by the community since tens or even hundreds of years ago which is usually for hedgerows and leaves for animal feed. While the red calliandra, which may have been planted by the community for hundreds of years, is generally only for high areas. For a more detailed comparison of calliandra and gliricidae plants, please read here.

Biomass Fuel and Electric Car

 

The world should be more green, that is the hope of all who understand and care the environment. There have been many concrete actions to continue to make the world green or green again. Fossil fuels are environmental damage factors that have made CO2 concentrations on the earth more than 400 ppm. The impact is climate change and global warming, and this is the focus of current environmental improvements. In addition, the practice of deforestation is another factor that makes the earth more barren and arid. The impact is very large on the ecosystem chain including human food and the potential for natural disasters.

Picture taken from here

In an era of approximately 10 years Indonesia will run out of reserves of oil and now it is already a net importer of oil because its oil production has not been able to meet domestic consumption. Doesn't Indonesia still have gas reserves, so that it can be used for the next 50 years? Although it is technically very feasible, but the use of natural gas replacing petroleum fuels is not a solution to environmental problems or not in line with the world direction for environmental improvement. This is because both fuel, oil and natural gas are fossil fuels or positive carbon fuels that contribute to increasing the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere. So the use of natural gas is not a solution.

Electric cars are an effort to reduce or eliminate CO2 emissions in the transportation sector. At present many electric cars have been produced to replace petroleum-powered cars or hybrid cars as the "bridge" of the transition. Some electric car manufacturers today include Tesla, Toyota, BMW, Mitsubishi, Ford and so on. Electric cars so far have received positive responses from various circles, but because the selling price is still relatively expensive and the availability of battery charging units is still minimal, the users are still limited. But it could be that in the near future it will soon flood the streets moreover if environmental policies for reducing and limiting fossil energy are increased.

The fundamental question of environmental aspect is where does the electric car get electricity as its energy source? If the electric car gets electricity from fossil-fueled power plants such as coal, natural gas and so on, it's just a lie because it only moves the CO2-emitting location from cars to power plants. Biomass, especially wood or agricultural wastes can be an energy source, especially production the electricity. This means that the biomass must be converted into electricity and used to charge the electric car's battery.

Power gasifier, stirling engine, ORC (Organic Rankine Cycle) and so on are technologies to convert the biomass into electrical energy. Biomass power plants such as the power gasifier and stirling engine can be small in size so that they can be widely spread throughout the country. A lot of energy plantations will be created for this as well as the utilization of agricultural wastes is also increasingly optimized so as not to pollute the environment anymore. Whereas ash from burning can be returned to plantations and agriculture as fertilizer.

The above is technically different with below sentences from using a gasifier or stirling engine for driving a vehicle, even though the environmental aspects are the same. In the era of the oil crisis a few decades ago the gasifier was installed on the back of the car to supply the gas as fuel for the car. Whereas in the stirling engine because it is an external combustion engine or heat engine, there is a heat combustion or production unit that is used for the energy source of the stirling engine. In electric cars there is no need to install a gasifier or heat producer, but enough to install a battery as a generator of electricity which is converted into mechanical energy.

The use of biomass as a fuel source can be made by wood chip or wood pellet depending on technical and economic factors. When the distance to the power plant is close so that the transportation costs are cheap, then the biomass is quite made of wood chips while if the distance is far, then wood pellets will save the transportation costs. In the end so that this electric car is truly an environmental solution, so the energy source must also be from renewable sources and biomass is the most potential energy source in Indonesia. Integration of energy and livestock plantations will be an accurate solution and will truly make the world more green, for more details to read here. In addition, biomass energy sources, especially wood, are very feasible to be developed in Indonesia and superior to Solar PV, read more here.

Migration From Fossil Based Economy to Bioeconomy

Completing the writings on bioeconomy at Go Biomass, Go Bioeconomy!, the short article below try to sharpen and provide various rules or guidelines and motivations for together  to catch  bioeconomy opportunities in shari'a concept by using the guidance of the Qur'an and Hadith. If in the era of fossil based economy, the oil-rich countries (petro dollars) become prosperous countries with abundant wealth, then in the next era of bioeconomy opportunities to switch to countries that have the most biomass wealth. The biomass of plants and animals will live and flourish well in countries with plenty of water and sun, so these are the best places in the future of bioeconomy. Key points that need to be considered, understood and managed properly include business, economics, agriculture, forestry, livestock, fisheries, food, energy, industry, biochemicals and biomaterials.

Europe launches bioeconomy by 2030. In the energy sector, renewable energy use in RED I (Renewable Energy Directive) with 20-20-20 target is 20% increase in energy efficiency, then renewable energy usage reach 20% by 2020, will soon end and the proposed RED II proposed use of renewable energy to 27% by 2030. The share of renewable energy in Europe both in RED I and RED II biomass holds a share of about 70% of it. North American countries such as the United States and Canada also launched massive renewable energy, such as the US Department of Energy and Agriculture to produce a dry biomass production of at least 1 billion tonnes by 2040. While in Canada a number of states have even closed coal-fired steam power plants and gas, and then using renewable energy, especially biomass. Alberta City in Canada proclaims the cessation of all coal and natural gas combustion by 2030. While in Asia, two countries in North Asia namely Japan and South Korea have launched massive renewable energy usage since 2012. Other Asian countries have also launched programs use of renewable energy, such as Indonesia on its National Energy Policy, Malaysia with the National Renewable Energy Policy and Action Plan, Thailand with theAlternative Energy Development Plan.

What kind of bio-economy we will do? What is the difference with bioeconomy applied in the West and other parts of the world? Why do we choose the bioeconomy? Bioeconomy with the basis of Al Qur'an and Hadith that is, bioeconomy that we will do. Not like in the West where is still confuse where food crops and which for energy? Confused which grain crop for human food and where to feed cattle? Grasses for example are obvious for animal feed, but grains can be for animal feed and more for human food. Fruits are generally for human food, but can also be in less amount for energy. Woods are mostly for energy. With a clear division of food, feed, and energy, we should not experience food crises caused by food being used for energy such as Mexico's tortilla melee, as well as the scarcity of soybeans due to China's sucking up of world soybean production to feed its livestock. Based on the mention of the verses of the Qur'an about food, fodder and energy, it will produce portions such as graph illustration below. There are at least 7 verses in the Qur'an that talk about food, 6 verses about the fodder and 2 verses about energy. The majority of crops for human food, then in almost the same amount for livestock feed and in smaller amounts for energy. Applications and explanations can be more detailed here and here.

Food, energy and water security  must be done simultaneously. And the important thing is this is our duty as Muslims. If we do not take this role, it is certain that the role will be taken by others. If that happens so stronger economic, political and other interests will dominate than to preserve life itself. Moreover Allah Almighty reminds us not to leave the weak generation (QS 4: 9), the duty to prosper the earth (QS 11:61) and to maintain the balance in nature (Surah 55: 8-9). As for carrying out the task Allah Almighty gives us instructions and explanations (QS 2: 185), in order to answer all the problems and challenges of our times (QS 16:89) -even Allah will also teach the knowledge we do not yet know, if we increase our piety (QS 2: 282).

With such a series of highly detailed guidelines, it is conceivable that the matters of maintaining food, energy and water security are managed by people who do not use His instructions. They will easily exploit human food needs, take over  the springs that are supposed to share interests and control the world's energy supply for the economic interests of a few people. This is a big and heavy problem, but if we leave it to others as we experience in these days, we experience a three-dimensional crisis at once, namely food, water and energy. So heavy as anything, we must begin to learn to bear it.

Thus it is easy to understand why the Prophet Muhammad Shallallahu 'Alaihi Wasallam reminds these people to syirkah (economic cooperation) in three ways: "The Muslims are syirkah in three ways, in terms of pasture (land), water and fire (energy) ". (HR.Sunan Abu Daud). The three things out there are called FEW (Food, Energy, Water), and become a seizure and even a reason for war, while in the Islamic world could even be the starting point to united.

Photo taken from here

Long before the modern world introduced the concept of bioeconomy, Muslims had for more than 1000 years prospered prospering the earth in most parts of the world, ie from the time in Andalusia and then continued by Ottoman Turkey - And only ended when Napoleon colonialist entered Egypt in the early 19th century. Then the Chinese Academy of Science held a workshop in Beijing some time ago, titled Workshop on Agriculture Culture and Sustainable Development in Asia with speaker Andrew M Watson, professor of Economic History from the University of Toronto-Canada. The professor is very much understood of the history of Islamic agriculture, since more than 30 years ago published the book "Agricultural Innovation in the Early Islamic World, The Diffusion of Crops and Farming Techniques, 700-1100" (Cambridge University Press, New York 1983).

The professor also admitted that in the very long span of time, it is Islamic agriculture that is advanced. He notes, for example, in the days before Islam, the agriculture of the Romans, Byzantines and so on, is still very simple. At best the land is only used once a year, and more often only once in two years. High tax of lands in the Roman region at that time also made it more difficult for agricultural activities. Even all the cool terms that are now loved by many modern farmers such as permaculture, organic farming, natural farming, sustainable agriculture and so on are actually only a small part of Islamic Agriculture covering a very wide aspect of the world of agriculture. So at the turn of the fossil-based economy toward the bio-based economy or bioeconomy this is the Moslem back victorious. Insha Allah.

History Repeated Back In The Field of Biomass Part 2

Post-industrial revolution human racing to exploit coal mines, oil and gas for the fuel of various production machines and factories. With the "scientific prejudice"  man assumes and argues that only with the fuel so the production machines in various industries can be operated and humans can feel the prosperity with various facilities of his life. Fuel consumption is encouraged, so the reserves depleted. In addition, currently within a range that is not too long, it turns out the impact of the "scientific prejudice" of human is already felt, the various environmental problems caused, which can even threaten human life itself.

It was for this reason that humans came to the conclusion that fossil fuel consumption should be limited and even discontinued, because it is not environmentally friendly and unsustainable. The phenomenon is similar to the use of chemical fertilizers for agriculture. Chemical fertilizers began to bloom in use around the world after World War II, because it also uses the materials of the rest of the war. Less than 70 years old, chemical fertilizers are now widely contested for various reasons such as health effects as well as the impact on the environment.

Another thing that is similar  is genetic engineering that produces genetically modified crops (Genetically Modified Crops). In its first appearance in 1994 it was seen as a food solution for the world - it is now still not two decades old now opposed everywhere, as new "prejudice" suggest that GM Crops brings huge potential risks to human health in the long run.

Various attempts were made to let go of the fossil fuel trap, which of course was also not easy and faced various problems, so it needs to make a systematic and realistic stages. No less than 24 climate conferences have been conducted and followed by almost all countries in the world. The practice of various countries has different strategies adapted to local conditions. Renewable energy or clean energy has also become a UN target to be realized along with 17 other targets in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Whereas Allah has said in the Qur'an about 14 centuries ago, about the use of fuel from trees as a source of energy.QS Yaasiin: 80, QS Al Waqi'ah: 71-72, and QS An Nuur: 35 and for more explanation detailed can be read here. Only by returning to His instructions and believing in the Qur'an as the answer to all problems (QS 16: 89) then surely man will be safe and happy the this world and akhirat. Trees will be a source of energy for the future. Planataions or energy forests become one of the scenarios for the supply of biomass fuels, especially for the production of wood pellets. Fuel consumption from trees but ignoring the environmental aspect itself will also cause environmental catastrophe. Do not get because human greed with excessive exploitation beyond the carrying capacity of the environment itself then the natural damage even more severe. In addition to providing guidance on the use of trees as an energy source, Allah SWT also commands us as the prosperous of His earth (Qur'an 11:61). How complete and beautiful the guidance from Allah SWT.

Planting Trees For Answering The World Problems

By planting a variety of essential human problems in life can be overcome, namely food, energy and water. These problems currently faced by humans for a variety of environmental damage is also caused by the act of the hands of men themself. There are many types of plants created by Allah SWT  (God Almighty ) in this world, so choose the one most suitable is the thing we need to do. Revive dead land and making it productive so will productive for human life, of course is highly recommended especially when the world is plagued by crises such as food, energy, water supply, including clean air. Currently there are an estimated 1 billion people on this earth who are facing the problem of hunger.  Millions of hectares of land are still abandoned and not used, even globally each year there are approximately 6 million hectares of land or farmland into deserts (desertification) due to the barren and unused. Forest area continued to narrow so it is still very far from the standard minimum requirement for a region is a concern in itself.

When the soil has been damaged so it needs to be restored, the plant species of legumes (Leguminosae) is the most suitable in these conditions. This is because the plant species of legumes have characteristics: cool / moisten the surface of the soil, the root nodule being able to fix nitrogen from the atmosphere means able to fertilize the soil damaged / barren, and capable of preventing erosion. Calliandra is the type of crop legumes (Leguminoceae) suitable for these conditions. The main results of wood for energy as for the production of wood pellets and byproducts in the form of leaves for farm goat or cow and flowers for honey bee breeding is to address the problem of food. Integration plantation / forest of calliandra with farm goat / cow will make the business optimally. Addition of new water sources is also very likely arise as a result of the plantation or the forest of calliandra. Calliandra plants that can be harvested relatively quick at an average of 1 year and still be productive until about 25 years into the future without having to plant every year because of the pattern coppice, has its own charm. Furthermore, on the sidelines of the Calliandra plants can be planted from other types that are tailored to local needs and conditions, for example caliandra with corn, Calliandra with bananas, Calliandra with pine, Calliandra with olives, Calliandra with dates palm and so on.

Calliandra age 1 week

Calliandra age of 2 weeks

Calliandra nursery for 1,200 hectares energy plantation

Another thing that should we acknowledge is the position we are in the tropics with beautiful nature, vast territory and fertile land (before it breaks). With the tropical climate of the sun will shine throughout the year so that the process photosintesa of the plant will run optimally it will accelerate the productivity of plants such as Calliandra.  With these conditions in Indonesia Calliandra timber productivity on average 4 times faster with plants poplar / willow in the sub-tropical or take 1 year in Indonesia, which is equal to 4 years in sub-tropical regions for the same amount of timber (wood). If all optimized then Indonesia is very likely going to be the largest biomass producer in the world capable of answering the problems of the world. Whereas in the energy sector are very suitable conditions when the world is also vying for loweringthe temperature of the earth with its biomass energy waves. 

Environmental Aspects of Wood Pellet Plant

When the process of wood pellets production do not pay attention to the environmental aspects, there will be a negative impact on the environment. Just like the usual plants always have an impact on operations for environment as well as wood pellet plant. The environmental impact was mainly noise pollution and air pollution. Engine or motor of the various units of production in the wood pellets plant is the main cause of the noise pollution. Vibration due to the large variety of equipment operational wood pellet plant also has implications for building damage around the location of the wood pellets plant. To minimize to overcome the problems then use of silencers or the selection of the motor which does not cause disturbing noise and vibration dampening mounting becomes important.

While the problems of air pollution, it is mainly caused by the exhaust gases from the combustion furnace for heating dryers, dust and VOCs (Volatile Organic Compund) of the dryer, dust and cooler from pelletiser. The dust pollution can be more severe if we process of grass type pellet.  A number of equipments have been developed to overcome this, as stated in the tables below:

 

Noise elimination and air pollution needs to be done to the acceptable norms. Considerations such as ease of operation, maintenance and the cost are some important things so that these devices can be applied and reached a level that is safe for the environment. Selection of plant location is quite far from the people settlement are also alternatives to reduce the cost of using the equipments for the elimination of pollutants.

Reed Pellets Untapped Potential

Although reeds is classified as grass types of entering grade 3 in biomass fuels due to its properties. But if the amount abundant and has not been utilized, it becomes a great potential to be processed into  pellets fuel. Thousands hectares of Reed such as in Borneo, Indonesia can be further processed for the production of pellets.

Due to high content of silica which makes abrasives that are not friendly to the metal with the high compression in densification that is needed special metal material that is more resistant for the ring die and roller. It also needed a thicker die to process material type grasses to increase compression (friction), the contribution to deliberate more lignin and finally to improve the quality product. The low of lignin content on the type of biomass also make necessary modifications in the process in pelletiser . The thickness of the die, pressing time, pressing temperature and pressure, will help improve the quality of the reed pellets without the need for additional adhesive. Mix with other ingredients (mix the material) that have greater lignin content such as sawdust will also improve the quality of the Reed pellets. The table below prosesntase a number of chemical compounds in the biomass.

Pellet production process of these grasses will generally produce more dust because its small  percentage of the lignin that need extra treatment in  the dust elimination system. Process operating conditions in pelletiser also affect the percentage of dust generated.

While the advantages of this material is that grass only has a low water content so that the drying phase can be minimized. In general, also the energy required for the production of pellets of the type of grass is lower than the sawdust material, woodchip and logs.

Market opportunities for grass type pellets is also wide open. Huge energy demand for various industries is an attractive market opportunities. The fuel quality requirements are not so high in a number of industries also make grass pellets well accepted, for example, for ceramic industries, bricks and so on.