*4.2.3 Rice husk*

Another important agricultural biomass is rice husk. This resource has a very good potential for biomass cogeneration. Biomass cogeneration refers to "generating together", this is a process where heat and EE is obtained at the same time from fuel. This type of biomass is implemented in technologies such as steam turbines, gas turbines and reciprocating engines. Currently, Malaysia has constructed its first rice husk power plant in the state of Kedah in Padang [19, 20].

## *4.2.4 Municipal solid wastes*

For the generation of solid waste in Malaysia, the amount of mass-produced in a day range from 0.45–1.44 kg/day. This result is dependent on the economic status of the area within Malaysia. The organic waste in Malaysia contains a high amount of moisture with a bulk density of above 200 kg/m3 . The bulk density is with respect to the population growth in Malaysia, the higher the number of populations in the area the larger the bulk density of the waste. These waste are generally disposed of as landfilling which makes them ideal for being used for biomass [20] (**Figure 4**).

### **4.3 Biomass projects in Malaysia**

## *4.3.1 TSH resources Berhad*

The plant has huge commercial potential from its biowaste in the palm oil industry. It does this through an integrated complex system in Kunak, Tawau situated in east Malaysia, Sabah. This plant has both biomass and biogas power plants as well as being equipped with a pulp and paper plant. The plant is considered friendly to the environment as it takes into consideration the protection and preservation of the environment. This plant is responsible for the generation of electricity through the disposal of waste from oil palms. This plant is under the

#### **Figure 4.**

*Electricity generation by fuel and Power generation sources in Malaysia.*

ownership of the Kumpulan Sawit Kinabalu and has taken considerable precautions in order to create a sustainable wealth while ensuring the protection and preservation of the environment. The amount of energy production has dropped by nearly 85% since the opening of the power plant, and as a result, increasing the profit of the mills by RM1.14 million [21]**.** The power generation of the plant is 14 MW of completely RE from biomass cogeneration plant [21]. The plant is also the first biomass power plant connected to the main grid in Malaysia. The RE from the biomass power plant has formed an agreement with the Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd to provide green electricity of up to 10 MW [20, 22]. TSH built up approximately 50,000 ha in a planted area across Sabah which are strategically located with associated companies. The company also has 65,000 ha worth of unplanted land bank for future development, this is to keep the company busy for many years to come. In addition to that, the company also has 3 mills in Sabah which has a 1.0 million tons of Fresh Fruit Bunches processing capacity per annum. The refining crude palm oil and kernel located at Kunak Jaya, Sabah has capacities of 2600 tons and 600 tons per day respectively [21, 22].

#### *4.3.2 Seguntor bioenergy and Kina biopower biomass power plant*

Both these power plants are in Sandakan, Sabah. Seguntor Bioenergy and Kina Biopower Power Plant are owned by HRE Seguntor Bioenergy Sdn. Bhd and HRE Kina Biopower Sdn. Bhd respectively [23]. These two power plants are implemented with a similar design. The power plants have a fuel consumption of 23.123 kg/h and a boiler capacity of 56 tons per hour at 420 degrees Celsius. Adding to that, a mechanical draught cooling tower, counterflow, water flow of around 2491 t/h. The coldwater temperature is measured at 32 degree Celsius and 42 degree Celsius for the hot water temperature. The generators are enclosed and has an in –built water – aircooled system. A synchronous generator is also used in the system. Each power plant can provide a total of 11.5 MW of green energy from biomass energy [23, 24]. These efforts are made to ensure the provision of a stable power supply to consumers in the East Coast of Malaysia. The power plants are located strategically about 20–90 km to 15 palms oi mills. Furthermore, the power plants are located 10 km radii of SESB's substation making it ideal for grid interconnection [20, 23]. About 654,000 tonnes per year of biomass will be generated from the Nilai Tani Resources Sdn. Bhd., Monsok Palm Oil Mill Sdn. Bhd, Prolific Yield Sdn. Bhd. and Tanjung Panjang Sdn. Bhd palm oil mills. The power plants are expected to cost around RM120 million each.

#### *4.3.3 Jana Landfill*

The Jana Landfill is owned by the Jana Landfill Sdn Bhd which runs a power plant and municipal storage waste sites. It is a subsidiary of TNB Energy Services. The power plant is located in Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve in Puchong, Selangor. The Jana Landfill obtains its fuel via the decomposition of natural municipal waste from the landfill site. The power plant generates a total of 2 MW of green energy using landfill gas as a fuel source [21, 24]. The power plant has two separate sections, Jana 1 and Jana 2. Each power plant can generate up to 1 MW of energy. To date with the arrival of Jana 3, the power plants is expected to generate a combined total of 6 MW which is beneficial to about 6000 homes in Malaysia.

#### *4.3.4 Recycle energy Sdn. Bhd*

The Recycle Energy power plant is the first power in the whole of Southeast Asia to initiate Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF). RDF is the product of separating

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

noncombustible and combustible portion from municipal solid waste. This method can help increase the recycling levels in Malaysia as well as decrease the overall waste. To add to this, this method does not require additional cost from processing, baling, wrapping and transportation logistics making it less expensive than that of the landfilling [25]. RDF can be used as a renewable fuel for any coal – fired power plant. Recycle Energy power plant is located at Kampung Pasir in Semenyih, Selangor. The plant is located about 13 miles from the main capital. This facility is able to process a total of 1100 tons of solid waste a day. These wastes are then converted into RDF which is in fluff form. The RDF in fluff form is used as biofuel to enable the production of 8 MW of electrical energy a day [24, 25]. This electricity is used to power up the RDF plant and any remaining electricity is sold for usage in the national power grid. The RDF power plant is 28 – acre wide and is handled by the Malaysian government (**Figure 5**).
