Efficiency of Industrial-Scale Biogas Application from Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) as a Renewable Energy Source: A Case Study at PT AMP

Abstract:

The palm oil industry is a large contributor to greenhouse gases in Indonesia. The application of biogas from the palm oil mill effluent (POME) treatment plant has become one of the solutions so it has been implemented at PT Agro Masang Perkasa (AMP). The catch of methane gasses is carried out by covering the waste pond with High-density Polyethylene (HDPE) material to create anaerobic conditions in the waste pool. The research results show that the methane gas obtained has been utilized as a renewable energy source such as biogas in factories with a total gas flow supplied to the engine of 135957, 121655, and 133736 Nm³ respectively, and an average power produced of 159.530, 153.168, and 160.161 MWh per month during observations in January, February, and March 2022. Although not all of the captured biogas is used for electrical energy, the benefits of implementing this technology mean that PT AMP has an average electricity efficiency in January, February, and March 2022 of 15.20 %, 22.49%, and 20.96%. Based on calculations, it is found that the use of methane capture or biogas technology at PT AMP can provide cost efficiency in a year of IDR. 5.21 billion and can return the installation capital within 3.5 years.

• Periodical: Engineering Chemistry (Volume 10)
• Pages: 19-24
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/p-j5Nlbu
• Online since: August 2025
• Authors: Leni Marlina, Ardinal Ardinal*, Kasma Iswari, Salmariza Sy, Doni Putra
• Keywords: Biogas, Electricity Efficiency, POME

References

[1] Ahmed Y Yaakob Z Akhtar P and Sopian K, 2015 Production of biogas and performance evaluation of existing treatment processes in palm oil mill effluent (POME) Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev. 42 p.1260–1278.

DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2014.10.073

[2] Directorate General of Estates, Ministry of Agriculture R of I, 2021 Statistical of National Leading Estate Crops Commodity 2020-2022 .

[3] Ohimain E I and Izah S C, 2017 A review of biogas production from palm oil mill effluents using different configurations of bioreactors Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev. 70 p.242–253.

DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2016.11.221

[4] Rajani A Kusnadi Santosa A Saepudin A Gobikrishnan S and Andriani D, 2019 Review on biogas from palm oil mill effluent (POME): Challenges and opportunities in Indonesia IOP Conf. Ser. Earth Environ. Sci. 293, 1.

DOI: 10.1088/1755-1315/293/1/012004

[5] Antoni A Siregar Y I and Suwondo S, 2021 Strategi pemanfaatan Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) sebagai sumber energi berkelanjutan di pabrik kelapa sawit PT. Meridan Sejati Surya Plantation Kabupaten Siak J. Zo. 4, 2 p.50–59.

DOI: 10.52364/jz.v4i2.18

[6] Choong Y Y Chou K W and Ismail N, 2018 Strategies for improving biogas production of palm oil mill effluent (POME) anaerobic digestion : A critical review Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev. 82, P3 pp.2993-3006.

DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2017.10.036

[7] Aziz N I H A and Hanafiah M M, 2020 Life cycle analysis of biogas production from anaerobic digestion of palm oil mill effluent Renew. Energy 145 p.847–857.

DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2019.06.084

[8] Lam M K and Lee K T, 2011 Renewable and sustainable bioenergies production from palm oil mill effluent (POME): Win-win strategies toward better environmental protection Biotechnol. Adv. 29, 1 p.124–141.

DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2010.10.001

[9] Parinduri L, 2016 Analisa pemanfaatan POME untuk sumber pembangkit listrik tenaga biogas di pabrik kelapa sawit J. Electr. Technol. 3, 3 p.180–183.

DOI: 10.19184/rotor.v10i2.6486

[10] Firdausi M, 2020 Potensi POME Untuk Pembangkit Listrik Tenaga Biogas di Kabupaten Tanjung Jabung Barat PRESISI 22, 1 p.1–6.

[11] Kang Z et al., 2021 Biogas production enhancement by co-digestion of empty fruit bunch (EFB) with palm oil mill effluent (POME): Performance and kinetic evaluation Renew. Energy 179 p.766–777.

DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2021.07.073

[12] Sagala D Frimawaty E and Sodri A, 2024 Potensi energi terbarukan dari pemanfaatan energi biogas POME (Palm Oil Mill Effluent) sebagai sumber energi terbarukan di Provinsi Jambi Jurnal Ilmu Lingkungan 22, 1, pp.205-214

DOI: 10.14710/jil.22.1.205-214

[13] Wulandari W and Senda S P, 2022 Analysis of biogas production from palm oil mill effluent at different feed flow rates in biogas plant Sei Pagar Riau IOP Conf. Ser.: Earth Environ. Sci. 963 012006

DOI: 10.1088/1755-1315/963/1/012006

[14] Khadaroo S N B A Grassia P Gouwanda D He J and Eong P, 2021 Biomass and Bioenergy Enhancing the biogas production and the treated effluent quality via an alternative Palm Oil Mill Effluent ( POME ) treatment process : Integration of thermal pretreatment and dewatering Biomass and Bioenergy 151, 106167 p.1–15.

DOI: 10.1016/j.biombioe.2021.106167

[15] Ji C M Eong P P Ti T B Seng C E and Ling C K, 2013 Biogas from palm oil mill effluent (POME): Opportunities and challenges from Malaysia's perspective Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 26 p.717–726

DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2013.06.008

[16] Djarot I N Pawignya H Handayani T Widyastuti N Nuha Arianti F D Pertiwi M D Rifai A Isharyadi F Wijayantia S P and Nur M M A 2024 Enhancing sustainability: microalgae cultivation for biogas enrichment and phycoremediation of palm oil mill effluent-a comprehensive review Environmental Pollutants and Bioavailability 36, 1, 2347314 pp.301-319

DOI: 10.1080/26395940.2024.2347314