Analysis of Co-firing in 25 MW CFB Boiler Coal-fired Power Plant Using Palm Kernel Shell to Support Indonesia Energy Transition

By 2025, Indonesia intends to use 23% renewable energy, and by 2060, it wants to be fossil fuel free. One of PT PLN’s (Persero) plans for accelerating carbon emission reduction and expanding the country’s mix of new renewable energy sources is biomass co-firing. To study the technical, financial, and environmental effects connected with the operating parameters, this research provides a methodology for assessing the performance of biomass co-firing applied in a coal-fired power plant. The palm kernel shell (PKS), which has the highest biomass potential nearby (Sumatra Island), is being used in the biomass co-firing process at the 25 MW coal-fired power plant (CFB type boiler). The main steam temperature, pressure, and flow value are within a normal range, according to the combustion test from 0% to 100% co-firing ratio. Co-firing with more PKS will minimize emissions from coal-fired power plants, especially Nitrogen Oxide (NN
N
), Sulfur Dioxide (OS
2
), and carbon dioxide (OC
2
) avoided by burning biomass. A PKS for biomass co-firing will also demonstrate a decrease in production cost-effectiveness based on the Specific Fuel Consumption (SFC) value. The development and use of biomass co-firing would enhance Indonesia’s energy transition toward 2060 Net Zero Emissions thanks to the suggested methodology for performance evaluation.