Comprehensive Evaluation of Integrated Energy Plantation Model of Palm Oil and Microalgae Based Biofuel for Sustainable Energy Production

Abstract

Microalgae is a biofuel crop that needs large amounts of water and nutrients in cultivation stage and requires excessive energy at the downstream processes. This study presented an integrated plantation concept to accomplish these issues by material and energy balance optimization of microalgae based biodiesel production cycle. Significant potency of positive energy balance by utilizing agriculture waste water from Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) was comprehensively investigated. However, POME has rich nutrient compounds for microalgae growth and its utilization reduces energy penalty. The total energy balance indicated substantial figures, in range of 2.66 up to 3.05 or even higher following the system efficiency. Meanwhile, total energy output for 1 production cycle in 10 ha microalgae pond approximately 160 GJ and net energy produced reaches 100 GJ. Based on current best available methods or technologies, microalgae cultivation for biofuels by using wastewater provide a positive energy return and might be economically viable.