Biomass is a renewable energy source that exists without knowing it is around us. Renewable energy and conventional energy are different. So far, we have consumed a lot of conventional energy from conventional fuels. However, have we ever realized, what if conventional fuel is no longer available? As we know, conventional fuels are derived from the earth’s oil content, while oil is a non-renewable natural resource. One day, petroleum reserves will run out.
Therefore, there has been a lot of research on renewable energy to replace the current main energy derived from petroleum, and biomass or bioresources are the solution to future energy availability. Without realizing it, the raw materials for making biomass are all around us. That’s right, all of them can be found easily such as leaves, tree branches, livestock manure, and others. In addition, biomass is available in several forms, namely solid biomass and non-solid biomass. This discussion discusses raw materials from solid biomass.
Conventional vs Renewable Energy Sources
Conventional energy comes from petroleum, which is derived from fossilized animals that died hundreds of years ago. So, who has fulfilled the world’s largest petroleum needs so far? Those who meet the world’s energy needs in the form of petroleum come from OPEC countries. Which, countries that are members of Opec are oil exporters throughout the world. Meanwhile, Indonesia is one of the countries that was once a member.
However, oil production will not always be consistent. Indonesia is an example of a country that left Opec. Meanwhile, in mid-2023, Opec made a major production reduction. There are supply and demand factors that affect the price of oil.
In addition, the geopolitical conditions of the world also affect the production and price of oil. So, the world is now thinking of alternative solutions so as not to continue to depend on petroleum. Thus, the concept of Renewable Energy Sources was born.
Biomass, The Energy Source of The Future
Currently, the world is thinking of new energy solutions in the future that do not rely on dependence on petroleum anymore.
At this time, Biomass emerged as a renewable energy source. Another term is bioresources. The development of science has brought hope for the continuation of future energy sources.
So, where does this biomass come from? Unlike conventional energy which comes from animals, biomass comes from plants that are used in very large quantities. So that it can drive power plants, warm rooms, replace stoves for cooking, and other fuel power.
Biomass Raw Materials are All Around Us
Without us realizing it, it is very easy to find plants around us that have the potential to become bioresources or biomass. Among these plants include rice husks, straw, wood, leaves, tree branches, and hay. These plants are even agricultural waste. Rice husk for example is the valley of rice farming.
In addition, mothers in rural areas still use wood for fuel to cook rice on the stove. Another example is the ironing model in the old days using charcoal to heat the iron. Meanwhile, coconut fiber, which is coconut waste, can be used as fuel in rural cooking stoves. The examples above are raw materials from biomass.
Processing Agricultural Waste into Biomass
Processing agricultural waste has several advantages. The first is to preserve and clean the environment. Then the second, getting economic benefits from the results of agricultural waste management. Without us realizing it, agricultural waste is not entirely detrimental to the environment itself.
Biomass raw materials come from plants and agricultural waste. Biomass as a renewable energy is able to supply the electricity needs of the community.
Realizing how much natural potential Indonesia has, even agricultural waste can be something useful for the future. What a loss if we are not able to empower the abundance of agriculture. It is time for us to produce biomass as a renewable energy which raw materials are widely available around us.
Examples of Biomass
Biomass or bioresources are the result of processing plants and processing agricultural and plantation waste. Some biomass or bioresources products are:
Wood Pellets
The industry is currently in dire need of wood pellets derived from raw materials of plant origin. The raw materials have actually become waste and become garbage. These items include sawdust, wasted bark, leftover branches from logging, or branches that fall from trees and rot on the ground.
Rice Husk Pellets
Rice husk can be a solid biomass that is capable of becoming environmentally friendly energy. As we know rice husk is an agricultural waste. This rice husk that has been separated from rice has many benefits.
In addition to being renewable energy, rice husk is useful in the fertilizer industry, and animal husbandry to become highly nutritious chicken feed.
Read here: Rice Husk, From Garbage to Energy Source
Coconut Shell Briquettes
Coconuts are used as coconut milk by housewives to make dishes. Meanwhile, coconut shell is coconut waste. The shell is a raw material for making biomass or bioresources. Other parts of the coconut that have the potential to become biomass are the trunk of the coconut tree, coconut tree branches, coconut shell, and coconut husk.
Twig Briquettes
Tree branches are one of the raw biomass materials. No part of a tree is wasted. In fact, even branches that fall to the ground can be a major component of making energy storage briquettes or charcoal. In addition, biomass from tree branches results in significant cost efficiency.
Mountain climbers cooking meals on the mountain using briquettes is one example of the usefulness of briquettes. The small size of the briquettes makes them easy to carry up the mountain. Despite their small size, briquettes provide long-lasting fuel energy.
Summary
From this discussion, we can conclude that Indonesia has the opportunity to become a leading country in the production of biomass or bioresources in the world. Especially during the current sluggish production of petroleum or conventional energy sources.
It is time for us to use biomass energy for our daily needs, from cooking to household electricity.
In producing biomass as renewable energy, of course, it goes through several processes. Malang Agro Resources as a company that specializes in exporting agricultural products and biomass has succeeded in providing quality bioresources. The biomass products include wood pellets, rice husk pellets, and wood chips suppliers. Of course, prioritizing the empowerment of local farmers and original Indonesian raw materials.
Malang Agro Resources
PT Malang Agro Resources
Jalan Villa Golf Indah 18 Tirtomoyo,
Pakis, Malang Regency, East Java
65154, Indonesia
Phone Number : +6281334555832
