Utilization of Renewable and Conventional Energy in Palm Oil Industry in Indonesia

Abstract

In this study, the utilization of renewable energy and conventional energy in the palm oil industry of Indonesia is explored. The objectives are to examine the characteristics of energy utilization in the palm oil industry and to estimate the potency of renewable energy from the waste of palm oil mill. The literatures of Indonesia's palm oil industry are reviewed. Then, validate the data with site visits to six palm oil mills, continue with an interview with national consultants. The results show that the total area of palm planted area and produced CPO in Indonesia in the year 2020 are estimated as 14,996,010 Ha and 49,117,260 tons CPO, respectively. The palm oil industry has abundant renewable energy potency, and some of them are used as a fuel of the boiler for CPO production in the mill, and there is 605,523 ToE of them has not used. Even though there is a great potency of renewable energy, the palm oil industry still consumes conventional energy, mainly for FFB transportation. Conventional energy used in the palm oil industry estimates about 602,540 ToE in 2020. The palm oil industry should replace fossil fuel consumption by utilizing its renewable energy resources.