Electrical energy potential of corn cob as alternative energy source for power plant in Indonesia

Abstract

Utilization of coal as a source of electrical energy in the power plant in Indonesia was increased significantly every year, but it can damage the environment if the excessive use of it is not anticipated. This study was conducted by analyzing the potential energy of the corn cobs (CC) in every province. The conducted study is on energy content and ash content of CC. The study shows the potential of the electric energy of CC is available only in 12 provinces that enable for the operation of the power plant with a capacity of 10 MW. However, the waste CC is highly feasible to use as fuel in the power plant because it has a calorific value of about 16.92 MJ/kg which is greater than the calorific value of rice husk around 13.44 MJ/kg and rice straw around 12.56 MJ/kg, and has a ashes around 2.14% which is very small compared to ashes of rice husk and rice straw which are 19.11% and 18.51%, respectively. The study results are expected to contribute to reducing the use of coal at the power plant.