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UOP Sustainable Biogas Power Plant

About

Facts

Location Nibong Tebal, Penang, Malaysia
Technology Biomass
Attributes Environmental, Local impact, New plant
Producing Electricity since June 2022
Developer/Owner Green Lagoon Technology
Estimated Annual Generation 9,882 MWh
Total Capacity 1.5 MW

This sustainable biogas power plant is located in Nibong Tebal, Penang, at the United Oil Palm Oil Mill. It has an installed capacity of 1.5 MW, and generates 9,882 MWh per year.

The plant consists of an anaerobic pond, cooling pond, bio-digester lagoon, mixing pit, gas treatment area, Biogasclean scrubber, and gas engine, situated on a 4-acre plot of land.

UOP has opted to participate in this renewable energy project in order to affirm its commitment to complying with environmental quality regulations.

Environmental and Socio-Economic Impact

The UOP plant not only works to improve the local and wider environment, it is also dedicated to raising the quality of life in the local area.

The plant contributes to improving air and water source quality, on top of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

In addition, constructing, maintaining and operating the plant serve to create job opportunities for the local population.

On a larger scale, the plant contributes to boosting the renewable energy market, increasing awareness about the importance of sustainability, and encouraging the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The UOP plant thus has an important environmental and socio-economic impact, both locally and further afield.

Technology

The plant uses the biological process of microbial biodegradation to release various gases, e.g. methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), hydrogren sulphide (H2S) and ammonia (NH3). Methane is the main gas which is used as fuel for gas engine to generate electricity.

The mill processes approximately 1,000mt of fresh fruit bunch daily. This has the power to generate between 650 and 800 cubic metres of raw POME, which allows the plant to generate electricity. Theoretically, the plant would need around 600 cubic metres of POME per day to power its 1.5 MW engine.