**4.4 Comparison between the biomass energy usages in different plants in Malaysia**

When compared, the TSH Resources Berhad power plant located in Kunak, Tawau in Sabah has the highest power generation at 14 MW. The main reason for the success of the TSH Resources Berhad power plant is its immense area of coverage. Palm oil is able to be attained from the within the power plants location. Continues supplies of palm waste can be obtained and processed rapidly in the power plant. The Kumpulan Sawit Kinabalu also ensures the protection and preservation of the palm oil farms. The Seguntor and Kina power plants needs to transport its oil palm waste 20–90 km from the mills to the power plants thus having a lower efficiency rate compared to the TSH Resources power plant. Furthermore, the TSH Resources Berhad power plant uses a biomass cogeneration system enabling it to attain both electrical and heat energy from the biomass fuels (**Table 5**).

In terms of the turbines used, steam engine has a better power-to-weight ratio making them ideal for reciprocating engines. For a small size is able to generate a high amounts of power output and does not produce a lot of vibration compared to other reciprocating counterparts. The steam turbine has a higher operating efficiency and reliability compared to that of the gas turbines. Jana Landfill is the only

**Figure 5.** *Major biomass projects in Malaysia.*


#### **Table 5.**

*Comparison between the biomass energy of different power plants in Malaysia.*

power plant in Malaysia using gas turbines and from power generation it is the lowest compared to all the other power plants which are using steam turbines. A main issue is that, having variation in its fuel specs can lead to an enormous drop in the efficiency of the turbine. In addition to that, external power is required to ensure turbine can carry out a self-sustained operation [23, 26]. In terms of the most eco-friendly fuel source would be the source used by the Recycle Energy power plant. This power plant uses a refuse-derived fuel source making it ideal to not only for making biofuels to power up turbines inside the power plant, but also recycling resources which are not combustibles.

From the comparison table, it can be seen that in terms of practicality and usage in the whole Malaysia the TSH Resources Berhad power plant is the most ideal. It is able to generate the highest amounts of the greenest EE at 14 MW which is why it is connected to the main grid in East Malaysia.

### **4.5 Comparison between the usages of biomass energy in Malaysia against the World**

Unlike the other countries, Malaysia is highly reliant on the usage of palm oil and coconut husk as biomass sources. Malaysia is still unable to completely utilize all resources which can lead to the production of biomass. If Malaysia can utilize converting municipal waste as a source for biomass, there is no reason to why Malaysia cannot increase their power generation from biomass. In addition to that, if Malaysia is able to produce more biomass power plants situated around palm oil fields like the TSH Resources Berhad power plant, the amount of power generated from biomass is bound to increase within the country (**Table 6**).

#### **4.6 Section conclusion**

Malaysia is still relatively new in terms of the power generation using biomass sources. From the year 2014–2016 there is a gradual increase in the power generation using biofuels in Malaysia. Thus. the potential is bright for the usage of biomass as a RESs in Malaysia.

*A Comprehensive Review on Available/Existing Renewable Energy Systems in Malaysia… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.96586*


#### **Table 6.**

*Comparison between the amounts of electricity generation from biomass between countries.*
