Smart Microgrid System in Mini CPO Factory.

Jakarta, Induk KUD – In the coming days, on Saturday, July 20, 2019, the Mini CPO Factory and Biomass Power Plant, a collaboration between Induk KUD and Controlment, Taiwan through PT. Makmur Indah Selaras International in Muaro Jambi, Jambi, will be inaugurated and begin operations.

What’s particularly interesting about the operation of the 5-ton/hour Mini CPO Factory and Biomass Power Plant is that, in addition to being supplied by the state-owned PLN, the Mini CPO Factory also utilizes the Biomass Power Plant from the waste generated during the production process.

Biomass in the form of empty fruit bunches and palm shells is a potential resource that can be used as fuel for the Palm Biomass Power Plant. Generally, every 1 ton of Fresh Fruit Bunch (FFB) will produce solid waste in the form of fibers (130 kg or 13%), shells (65 kg or 6.5%), empty fruit bunches (230 kg or 23%), and palm oil mill effluent (POME) of around 600-700 kg.

So, what makes this Induk KUD Mini CPO Factory special? According to the CEO of Induk KUD, Portasius Nggedi, Induk KUD, together with its Taiwanese partner, has developed the New Renewable Energy (EBT) Smart Microgrid Power Generation System. Portasius added that the developed Smart Microgrid System is a combination of power generation from renewable energy sources, namely solar heat and biomass, consisting of an Intelligent Inverter that can convert DC energy from solar heat and biogas from the Mini CPO Factory waste into AC electrical power.

“The advantage of this system is that if there is an excess supply, it will be stored in batteries and used during peak loads,” explained Portasius Nggedi. “We still get electricity supply from PLN, and the PLN electricity supply will continue when the electricity demand cannot be fully met by new and renewable energy sources,” he added.

Portasius Nggedi explained that the Smart Microgrid System developed in the Mini CPO Factory is the first to be operated in Mini CPO Factories in Indonesia. “We are the first, and no other Mini CPO Factory has developed an energy supply from the Smart Microgrid System.” Furthermore, he explained that, according to calculations, the electricity supply from this developed Smart Microgrid System can power three 5-ton/hour CPO Factory units, like the one to be inaugurated and begin operations tomorrow.

“We will build two more Mini CPO Factory units near the existing CPO Factory, and the electricity supply will be taken from the Smart Microgrid System that we developed,” he said. In the future, the development of Mini CPO Factories and Smart Microgrid Systems will be implemented in several potential areas, in collaboration with members of Induk KUD and business partners. “We have surveyed Sungai Bahar Jambi, North Sumatra, and South Kalimantan, and we are currently conducting further studies, hoping they can be realized in the near future,” concluded Portasius Nggedi. (TAB)