Co-firing Sawdust with Coal on Indonesia's Coal-Fired Power Plant: Status and Opportunities

Abstract

In implementing biomass-coal co-firing, PLN conducted performance tests on dozens of power plants when this study was carried out. After trying several biomasses as co-firing fuel at a coal-fired power plant (CFPP), sawdust is selected for use in the continuous operation stage. The latest status mapping, as well as a short-term impact evaluation, is carried out based on the results of the operation parameter data analysis obtained. The total production of green energy co-firing sawdust from a sample of 12 CFPPs is 1,263 MW. The implementation of co-firing operations has not been consistent/ continuous with the realization of an average ratio of co-firing sawdust at CFPP of 0.82% mass (0.52% energy). For short-term evaluation, co-firing sawdust decreased Furnace Exit Gas Temperature (FEGT) and changed MOT, but not significantly. Co-firing sawdust produces SO2 and $\mathbf{NO}_{\mathrm{x}}$ emission products which still tend to meet the Emission Quality Standards. Sawdust prices tend to be lower than coal prices, with fluctuations in sawdust fuel prices tend to be lower than coal. Corrosion potential due to chlorine in co-firing up to 0.82% sawdust is in a minor category. It is necessary to maintain the stability of the availability of sawdust biomass feedstock which requires collaboration with all government stakeholders, suppliers & PLN. All collaboration is essential to accelerate the increase in the co-firing ratio of biomass in CFPP to support the growth of Indonesia's new renewable energy mix.