Recent research published in ‘Discover Chemical Engineering’ by Chanin Panjapornpon from the Department of Chemical Engineering at Kasetsart University sheds light on a critical aspect of the palm oil industry: sustainable energy management. As the demand for palm oil rises, the industry faces increasing pressure to enhance production while minimizing its carbon footprint. This study explores how integrating renewable energy sources—specifically biomass, biogas, and photovoltaic systems—can help mitigate carbon emissions, a major concern for both environmental sustainability and regulatory compliance.
The research highlights significant challenges within the palm oil sector, particularly related to energy management. Fluctuations in energy load, largely influenced by the size of palm oil mills and inconsistent supplies of renewable energy, complicate the integration of these green technologies. Moreover, external factors like weather conditions and climate variability—encompassing ambient temperature, humidity, and solar radiation—further complicate energy management strategies.
To address these challenges, the study employs reinforcement learning, a form of artificial intelligence, to optimize energy management across five different climatic scenarios. This approach allows for effective combinations of renewable energy sources to produce the necessary electricity and steam, while also managing energy storage efficiently. According to Panjapornpon, “The proposed method has proved beneficial across all climate scenarios for energy savings and emission reduction.”
The findings are promising: the deployment of photovoltaic systems, in combination with biomass and biogas, resulted in a 2.9% increase in energy savings and a significant reduction in carbon dioxide emissions—averaging 3,137 kg daily. This not only enhances the sustainability of palm oil production but also opens up commercial opportunities for industries looking to adopt cleaner energy practices.
For stakeholders in the palm oil sector, this research underscores the potential of renewable energy integration as a pathway to meet both production demands and environmental standards. Companies can leverage these findings to improve their energy management systems, reduce operational costs, and enhance their market competitiveness. As the global focus on sustainability intensifies, adopting such innovative technologies could position palm oil producers as leaders in responsible manufacturing practices, ultimately benefiting their bottom line and the environment.
