Boosting Low-Carbon Sustainable Energy Through Advanced Coal-Biomass Blends and Fuel Stock Management Digitalization

The issue of climate change is of particular concern to countries around the world, including Indonesia. Many efforts are being and will be made to contribute to addressing climate change issues. Pelabuhan Ratu Coal-Fired Power Plant (3 x 350 MW) belongs to PT PLN Indonesia Power. In line with a major corporate program, Pelabuhan Ratu Power Plant contributes to produce low-carbon sustainable energy by cofiring biomass using sawdust. There are two main challenges in implementing cofiring. The first is the poor biomass handling and blending methods that are typically used in power plants. The second is the possible decrease in the calorific value of coal and biomass blending due to the increasing percentage of biomass. To overcome these challenges, Pelabuhan Ratu Power Plant has developed an advanced coal-biomass blending and fuel stock management digitalization.By applying advanced method of coal-biomass blend, the biomass utilization (total, monthly average, and daily average) increased significantly in 2022 and 2023. Total biomass utilization increased up to 171% and still possible to be higher. The green energy production increased up to 255% and Green House Gas (GHG) emission reduced up to 255%. The fuel stock management provides optimal blending recommendations as operators' guidelines. Blending accuracy increased from 93.57% to 98.5%. As a result, potential derating loss due to low calorific value of blended products can be reduced by 59.9%. This innovation is also feasible in other coal-fired power plants with comparable facilities. This will help to significantly lower global emissions.