PLN Maximizes Use Of B30 In A Number Of Power Plants

Illustration. (Photo: PLN)

JAKARTA - The use of B20 and B30 for power plants is in line with the government's mandate regarding policies to expand the use of biodiesel in the industrial sector.

This is to reduce the national consumption of fuel oil (BBM), which has so far had to be imported, thus burdening state finances. Therefore, PT PLN (Persero) continues to maximize efforts to use palm oil or biodiesel blends (B20 / B30) in a number of power plants.

It is calculated that the use of B20 / B30 used in PLN power plants in 2018 reached 1.641 thousand kilo liters, and increased to 2.158 kilo liters in 2019.

"This number will continue to increase along with the use of B20 and B30, which we continue to optimize the use of these fuels," said PLN President Director, Zulkifli Zaini in his statement, quoted on Thursday, January 30.

The B20 and B30 used by PLN are obtained by a chemical process called esterification of vegetable oils such as CPO and mixed with High Speed Diesel (HSD) diesel oil. The implementation of B20 / B30 in PLN's diesel generators has been going well, which is indicated by the increase in its use from year to year.

For the next stage, PLN is developing the use of vegetable oils such as CPO without an esterification process, so that all CPO can be used for power plants without going through a chemical process that requires additional processing and production costs.

This research has now been tested on diesel generators, and encountered obstacles, namely the high emission produced and the appearance of scale on the generator engine.

"PLN continues to develop this research and find the best way out to overcome the excess residue. So, PLN does not give up on the use of vegetable oil for PLTD needs, we are sure that we will find the most optimal and efficient way to be applied to generators that supply electricity to the wider community, ”explained Zulkifli.