Scenario analysis of the use of oil palm residual biomass for bioenergy generation: A comparison with fossil fuels

This study addresses the potential of closing biological cycles and optimizing natural resources by using oil palm residual biomass. The case study is developed in northern Colombia's existing palm oil mills (POM). Strategic locations for biomass processing are identified using clusters to group the POM and the center of gravity algorithm as a heuristic method. The research focuses on two specific scenarios applied to POMs and compares their results with the use of traditional energy sources such as Diesel, Coal, and Natural Gas. The RETScreen Xpert tool was used to evaluate energy performance and associated emissions. In the first scenario, steam generation was evaluated using a blend of palm kernel shell (PKS) and palm pressed fiber (PPF) as boiler fuel. This mixture was compared with Diesel, Coal, and Natural Gas, generating the same amount of energy (82,512 MWh). The results showed that using PKS-PPF significantly reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with annual reductions of 23,898 tCO2 compared to Diesel, 32,154 tCO2 compared to Coal, and 16,776 tCO2 compared to Natural Gas—all representing reductions above 90 %. In the second scenario, electricity generation using the same biomass blend (PKS-PPF) was analyzed, achieving an estimated export of 19,900 MWh to the grid. When compared again with the three fossil fuels, gross annual GHG reductions were 20,700 tCO2 (versus Diesel), 20,664 tCO2 (versus Coal), and 8714 tCO2 (versus Natural Gas). The PKS-PPF blend was the type of biomass used in both scenarios, showing consistent results in terms of efficiency and sustainability. The study demonstrates that the use of oil palm residual biomass is a viable alternative both environmentally and economically, especially in developing countries. Its benefits include emission reductions, the utilization of agro-industrial waste, and a decreased dependence on fossil fuels. Moreover, the results obtained can serve as a basis for other regions to implement more sustainable energy systems aligned with global development goals.