A feasibility study of Jatropha curcas oil as alternative energy resource

Abstract

Energy is fundamental to the quality of our lives. Substantial economic growth and industrialization are expected around the world during the 21st century. As a result, average living standards will rise, leading to a strong increase in energy demand; therefore, meeting the growing demand for energy sustainably is one of the major challenges of the current century. Indonesia is one of the developing countries and energy supply is an important factor for all-around development Total annual energy consumption grew by 50 percent between 2001 and 2010. The energy consumption of the country still depends on non-renewable energy such as crude oil, coal and natural gas as sources of energy. Indonesia has planned by the declaration of Energy Law 2006 to shift its dependence on fossil fuels towards more environmentally friendly and sustainable energy sources. The energy mixes plan in Indonesia depends on crude oil, natural gas, coal and renewable energy. Biodiesel is an alternative fuel similar to fossil diesel. Jatropha curcas is one of biodiesel resources that offer immediate and sustained greenhouse gas advantages over other biodiesel resources. Jatropha curcas has created an interest for researchers because it is non-edible oil and can be used to produce biodiesel with similar performance results when testing in diesel engines. This study is concerned with a feasibility of Jatropha curcas oil as renewable energy resource. Currently over one million households in the Province of Riau in Indonesia, mainly in rural villages, do not have access to electricity A decentralized power generation plant can be a solution for providing rural communities in developing countries with electricity. Substituting diesel with locally produced Jatropha oil can improve economic and environmental sustainability of rural electrification. A full Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was conducted on Jatropha-based rural electrification and then compared with electrification approaches diesel-fuelled power generator.