Biomass-based energy potential from the oil palm agroindustry in Colombia: A path to low carbon energy transition

• Published in: Journal of cleaner production 2024-04, Vol.449, p.141808, Article 141808
• Main Authors: Barrera Hernandez, Juan Camilo, Sagastume Gutierrez, Alexis, Ramírez-Contreras, Nidia Elizabeth, Cabello Eras, Juan J., García-Nunez, Jesús Alberto, Barrera Agudelo, Osmar Ricardo, Silva Lora, Electo Eduardo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biomass; Energy scenarios; Renewable energy
• ISSN: 0959-6526; 1879-1786
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.141808

The energy valorization of biomass is critical to meeting the GHG mitigation goals and supporting the energy transition. The oil palm agroindustry, one of the fastest-growing sectors in Colombian agriculture, is characterized by low-efficiency technologies for bioenergy production. This study assessed four biomass-based energy generation scenarios considering the availability of biomass-based energy applications in backpressure or extraction-condensation turbines and anaerobic digestion systems in 28 palm oil mills, accounting for 68 % of Colombian crude palm oil production. Overall, the four scenarios can support 61–227 MW of electricity, coinciding with 0.4–1.5 % of the national installed capacity, while producing 44 to 222 kWh of surplus electricity per ton of fresh fruit bunch processed, with a levelized cost of electricity between 92.4 and 201.1 USD∙MWh−1 that highlights the economic feasibility. The emission of GHGs accounting for 22.2 to 55.1 gCO2eq per kWh could reduce the national GHG emissions by up to 2.1 %. [Display omitted] •Palm oil mills could support 0.4 %–1.1 % of the national electricity mix.•Anaerobic digestion can account for 28 %–34 % of the electricity surplus.•Palm oil mills could transit from a 40 % electricity deficit to up to a 75 % surplus.