Technical obstacles and competitiveness of using biomass as fuel in Malaysian context

• Published in: RECEE 2000 Regional Conference on Energy and Environment proceedings: the Emerging Energy Technologies pp. C11 - 1
• Main Authors: S.M. Sapuan, M.A.H. Mollah, A.S.I. Amir, M.M.H. Megat Ahmad, Fuad Abas
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Universiti Tenaga Nasional 2000
• Subjects: AGRICULTURAL WASTES; BIOCARBURANT; BIOCARBURANTE; BIOENERGIA; BIOENERGIE; BIOENERGY; BIOFUELS; BIOMASA; BIOMASS; BIOMASSE; COMBUSTIBLE; COMBUSTIBLES; DECHET; DECHET AGRICOLE; DECHET D`EXPLOITATION FORESTIERE; DECHET URBAIN; DESECHOS; DESECHOS AGRICOLAS; DESECHOS URBANOS; ENERGIA RENOVABLE; ENERGIA SOLAR; ENERGIE RENOUVELABLE; ENERGIE SOLAIRE; FUELS; INVESTIGACION; LOGGING WASTES; MALAISIE; MALASIA; MALAYSIA; NATURAL RESOURCES; RECHERCHE; RECURSOS NATURALES; RECURSOS RENOVABLES; RENEWABLE ENERGY; RENEWABLE RESOURCES; RESIDUOS DE EXPLOTACION FORESTAL; RESSOURCE NATURELLE; RESSOURCE RENOUVELABLE; SOLAR ENERGY; URBAN WASTES; WASTES

Biomass is the earliest source of energy known to human, and have been used traditionally for million years. Presently, as the global warming and pollution level have reached an alarming level, together with depletion of fossil fuel, this type of energy has again, with newly developed technology, gained popularity as alternative fuel due to its cleanliness and huge availability. In Malaysia, research on biomass based fuel has been carried out since last two decades mostly by SIRIM (Standard Industrial and Research Institute of Malaysia) and PORIM (Palm Oil Research Institute of Malaysia). Some biomass based cogeneration plants have been set up and operating successfully, on the research basis. Even foreign cogeneration contractors are keen to participate in this energy rich sector. Generally however, this type of fuel has yet to be accepted as commercially viable and reliable source. Technical, financial and other vital problems are still unresolved and barricading. Serious involvement by both the authority and scientists in this area is neccessary in order to advocate the importance of this type of renewable energy. To further encourage study and research in this sector, this paper discusses the potential of biomass and its availability in this country. It also addresses some impediments faced by the industry and how to overcome those problems. With strong support from the government and public sectors. Malaysia may emerge as the cleanest energy producer of the world.