An overview of banana biomass as a potential renewable energy source in Malaysia
Electricity is a vital component necessary to stimulate the growth of a country whereby Malaysia relies upon nonrenewable fossil fuel for much of its needs. Since the 70’s oil crisis, Malaysia has attempted to preserve its oil resources and increase the contribution of renewable energy which subse...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
2021
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| Online Access: | http://journalarticle.ukm.my/19081/ http://journalarticle.ukm.my/19081/1/23.pdf |
| Summary: | Electricity is a vital component necessary to stimulate the growth of a country whereby Malaysia relies upon nonrenewable
fossil fuel for much of its needs. Since the 70’s oil crisis, Malaysia has attempted to preserve its oil resources
and increase the contribution of renewable energy which subsequently has boosted the rapid increase of renewable
energy supply, particularly in hydropower but under the 5th Fuel Diversification policy, the country prioritises to
diversify its fuel sources. Banana waste has been identified as one of the potential sources due to its abundance in
natural resources in Malaysia for being widely planted in agricultural sector. It has been used by neighbouring country,
namely Thailand and also efficiently recycled by developed nations worldwide. This paper will discuss the potential
biomass feedstock, and banana plant is chosen for the nature of its abundance, fast growth rate, and disposal after
harvest. Conversion from biomass into energy can be done by direct combustion, solid biomass briquette, bioethanol,
and biogas. Theoretically, all the methods except direct combustion are viable for energy generation but bioethanol and
biogas suffer from compatibility issues with existing infrastructure designed for fossil fuel thus making solid fuel a topic
that should be researched further to improve its uses in cogeneration and boilers. Hence, banana biomass is feasible for
use as a source of renewable energy in Malaysia. |
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