The Feasibility Test for the Use of Rice Husk Biomass in Steam Power Plants (PLTU)
Keywords:
Aspen Plus, ricehusk, Biomass, Co-Firing, coal-fired power plants, Renewable EnergyAbstract
This study analyzes the feasibility of implementing biomass-based co-firing technology in coal-fired power plants as a strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support a cleaner energy transition. With the increasing environmental impact of coal-fired power plants, biomass co-firing presents a viable solution to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. This research includes an analysis of the calorific value, potential emission reductions, and evaluation of the costs associated with the application of the technology. Rice husks show the potential to produce syngas with a turbine power of 99.7 MW at a humidity of 10.47% with an emission of 118,201 kJ/hr, but the efficiency decreases at higher humidity affected by the weather. This rice husk co-firing strategy of about 5% produces 116-122 MW of turbine power with CO₂ emissions of 160,605 kJ/hr-175,480 kJ/hr, making it an effective energy transition solution and contributing to Indonesia's renewable energy targets.
Downloads
References
IRENA (Badan Energi Terbarukan Internasional), (2022): Renewable Energy Outlook for ASEAN Towards a Regional Energy Transition - Second Edition.
Mohan, R., Saxena, N., Shrivastava, A., Sharma, P., Choubey, A., & Kumar, S. (2023). Performance optimization and numerical analysis of boiler at husk fuel-based thermal power plant. E3S Web of Conferences. https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202340502010
Badan Pusat Statistik. (2023): Luas Panen dan Produksi Padi di Indonesia 2023 (Angka Sementara), 2018-2022. Jakarta: BPS RI.
Kumih, F., & Issahaku, M. (2022). Feasibility of rice husk for electricity generation: A case study at Avnash rice mill. UDS International Journal of Development. https://doi.org/10.47740/609.udsijd6i
Rhenals-Julio, J. D., Galván Castilla, M. K., Peralta Jorge, S., & Mendoza, J. (2023). Exergoecological evaluation of power generation in steam cycles fed by biomass. International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy. https://doi.org/10.32479/ijeep.14104
Erlangga, D., Huboyo, H. S., & Priyambada, I. B. (2023). Effectiveness Test of EFB Pellet and Palm Shell Biomass Implementation on Co-Firing at Tembilahan Power Plant. Serambi Engineering Journal, 8(2), 5376–5382.
Ansar, K., Syuhada, A., & Sofyan, S. E. (2023). A study of co-firing palm kernel shell on the Nagan Raya coal-fired power plant. Jurnal Polimesin, 21(6), [page numbers if available]. https://e-jurnal.pnl.ac.id/polimesin
Prabowo, & Mudman, M. R. (2025). Analysis of the effect of co-firing on boiler loading limitations using Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) methods. Syntax Admiration, 6(1),
Ariwibawa, Y., & Brunner, I. M. I. (2025). Performance and exhaust gas emission analysis of co-firing activity using corn cobs at the Sumbawa Barat coal-fired power plant. Serambi Engineering Journal, 10(2), 12913–12922.
Sadul, A., Aladin, A., & Rasyid, R. (2024). Co-firing test of semi-renewable fuel blend of coal and coconut trunk sawdust waste. Journal of Scientech Research and Development, 6(1). Retrieved from http://jdm.or.id/JSCR
Palupi, D. N., Sundari, S., Syahitaria, M. I., & Sianipar, L. (2024). Environmental and economic impact analysis of biomass and coal co-firing power plants as an effort to support renewable energy mix. El-Māl: Journal of Islamic Economics and Business Studies, 5(3), 1627–1635. https://doi.org/10.47467/elmal.v5i3.781
Ilham, M. F., & Sinaga, N. (2022). The effect of co-firing using sawdust on exhaust gas emissions in coal-fired steam power plants. R.E.M. (Rekayasa Energi Manufaktur) Journal, 7(2). https://doi.org/10.21070/rem.v7i2.1644
Rizqi, H. D., Guntur, H. L., Putra, A. B. K., Kusumadewi, T. V., Nasution, A. H., Sinansari, P., & Kurniawan, F. (2023). Study of bamboo potential to support the implementation of co-firing at the Java-Bali power plant. SEWAGATI: Journal of Community Service, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.12962/j26139960.v7i1.277
Ade Arta, M. Z., & Widayat, M. (2024). Study on the effect of solid-selected biomass fuel (BBJP) on the co-firing process at coal-fired power plants. ELKOMIKA: Journal of Electrical Energy Engineering, Telecommunication, and Electronics, 12(4), 995–1006. https://doi.org/10.26760/elkomika.v12i4.995
Destalia, R., & Aryanny, E. (2024). Analysis of Co-Firing Bagasse Biomass Testing Characteristics at Rembang Coal-Fired Power Plant with 2×315 MW Capacity. INSOLOGI: Journal of Science and Technology, 3(1), 32–43. https://doi.org/10.55123/insologi.v3i1.3041
Darmawan, K., Permadi, L. C., Tjiptady, B. C., Mediatama, R. F., Fitriani, I. M., & Asshidiqi, F. K. (2025). Analysis of heat rate co-firing Pacitan PLTU. G-Tech: Jurnal Teknologi Terapan, 9(1), 410–416. https://doi.org/10.31284/j.gtech.2025.v9i1
Winner, M. W., Winaya, I. N. S., Astawa, K., & Pratama, I. P. A. Y. (2024). Effect of RDF MSW and coal ratio on Net Plant Heat Rate (NPHR) in co-firing fluidized bed incinerator. Jurnal Ilmiah Teknik Desain Mekanika, 13(3), 275–279.
Gultom, E., Muzhoffar, D. A. F., & Prasetyo, E. A. (2024). Effect of co-firing using biomass variation to maintain biomass feedstock in coal-fired power plants. R.E.M. (Rekayasa Energi Manufaktur) Journal, 9(2). https://doi.org/10.21070/rem.v9i2.1727
Nuryadi, A. P., Helios, M. P., Fathoni, A. M., Chairunnisa, C., Fitrianto, F., Pujowidodo, H., Sumarah, K. P., Komara, R. J., Kuswa, F. M., & Soewono, R. T. (2023). CFD simulation of CO₂ reduction in co-firing of coal and palm oil empty fruit bunches using a non-premixed combustion model. Jurnal Teknologi Lingkungan, 24(2), 283–291. Retrieved from https://ejurnal.bppt.go.id/index.php/JTL
Dwiaji, Y. C. (2023). Analysis of the effect of biomass co-firing on the performance of boiler equipment at coal-fired power plant Unit 1 PT. XYZ. Journal of Applied Mechanical Engineering and Renewable Energy (JAMERE), 3(1), 8–16. Retrieved from https://journal.isas.or.id/index.php/JAMERE
Triani, M., Anggoro, D. D., & Yunianto, V. D. (2024). Decarbonization potential of coal-fired power plants through biomass co-firing and carbon capture utilization. Metana: Media Komunikasi Rekayasa Proses dan Teknologi Tepat Guna, 20(1), 57–68.
Cahyo, N., Sulistiyowati, D., Asdhiyoga Rahmanta, M., Felani, M. I., Soleh, M., Paryanto, P., Prismantoko, A., & Hariana, H. (2024). A techno-economic and environmental analysis of co-firing implementation using coal and wood bark blend at circulating fluidized bed boiler. International Journal of Renewable Energy Development, 13(4), 726–735. https://ijred.cbioe.id
Sidiq, A. N. (2022). Pengaruh co-firing biomassa terhadap efisiensi boiler PLTU batubara. KILAT, 11(1), Artikel 1553. https://doi.org/10.33322/kilat.v11i1.1553
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 ITB Graduate School Conference
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
