We need an abundant supply of energy to power our modern world. But we currently still largely rely on carbon, that ancient trees bequeathed to us countless millennia ago. When we burn this oil, coal, and gas, we release that ancient energy, but also create pollution. Did you know that we could short-circuit this process temporarily, by using organic palm oil biomass as fuel?
Biomass Energy Stored in Oil Palms
Oil from Elaeis palm trees comes from crushing their fruit. Humans have used the rich, deep-red liquid as cooking oil for over 5,000 years. Nowadays, the organic product is a popular alternative for industrial lubricants. Although we may also find it in our favorite bath soap, and pastries too.
Perhaps half the world’s palm oil biomass ends up being burned as car and truck fuel, in the form of biodiesel. Although this should only be a stop-gap on the road to electric transport, because using the product this way also generates carbon emissions.
The oil is traditionally obtained by extracting the moisture from Elaeis palm tree date fruit. This process is less carbon-intensive than extracting oil, coal and gas from deep down in the earth or ocean. Moreover, the source of the organic product is infinitely renewable, if we keep planting more trees.
A New Renewable Source For This Biomass
We came across an article in Business Today on September 22, 2024, that we found quite intriguing. We had not previously heard of the National Energy Transition Roadmap of Malaysia. Although we soon learned that this sets national goals for energy transition and sustainable development, including converting to biomass.
Processing palm oil biomass from empty oil palm bunches in Malaysia, after harvesting dates, is currently attracting investor interest, because the resource is already within reach, unlike coal, oil and gas. As we mentioned earlier we believe this should only be a stop-gap measure, along the road to a truly carbon-free world.
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