The Utilization of Bioethanol Processing Machine from FPRDC in Forest Management Unit (FMU) Boalemo, Gorontalo Province | 01/12/2015

(FPRDC), Researchs on plant-based bioenergy already contributed in supporting the energy diversification from new and renewable materials . Forest Products Research and Development Center (FPRDC)  as the lead in bioenergy research under the Forestry Research Development and Innovation Agency,  Ministry of Environment and Forestry, has been conducting research on forest plants/forest biomass-based biooil, bioethanol and biodiesel. Not only conducting the qualitative results of the bioenergy potential of some plant species (such as Nyamplung, Jatropha, and Bintaro, Empty Fruit Bunch of palm oil),  FPRDC also designed a micro-scale machine for bioethanol processing from sugar palm, as the result of cooperation between FPRDC with FMU Boalemo in Gorontalo Province. The machine is used by the community for bioethanol processing of from sugar palm sap. The abundant sap production of sugar palm trees can help the community meet its energy needs. "The costs production of 1 litre of bioethanol about  Rp 6.000. It costs much more competitive than the price of Liquified Petroleum Gas 3 kg about Rp 20.000". Said Dr. Dwi Sudharto, Head of FPRDC.

Bioethanol from sugar palm is expected to be more developed as a local/indigenous potential  in order to reduce the utilization of fossil-based energy. FPRDC researchers who have been engaged in bioenergy research were Djeni Hendra, M.Si, Dr. Ina Winarni and Santiyo Wibowo, M.Si.

In the future, FPRDC will continue to develop bioenergy research from other raw materials such as logging waste, waste of palm oil trunk and it will possible involving microbiology technology to improve the quality of bioenergy.