Bioenergy Status and R&D in Thailand

Suneerat Fukuda

<p style="text-align:justify;"><strong>Abstract:</strong> The aim of this paper is to present the bioenergy implementation and R&amp;D in Thailand. The paper first briefly introduces the current status bioenergy production and utilization in Thailand as well as the promotion policy and target of renewable energy in 2021. The main part of the paper is an overview and status of R&amp;D activities in bioenergy in Thailand. Information about past and ongoing research studies for different technologies along the biomass supply chain is reviewed. They include yield improvement technologies, thermochemical technologies (combustion, gasification and pyrolysis), anaerobic production technologies and liquid biofuel production technologies.<br /></p><p><strong>Keywords: </strong>Biomass, Bioenergy, R&amp;D, Thailand.</p>

Best Practices & Success Stories of Biomass Industry in Malaysia

Tang Kok Mun

<div style="text-align:justify;"><strong><span style="color:#000000;">Abstract:</span></strong><span style="color:#000000;"> Sustainable development has always been one of Malaysia&rsquo;s key macro agenda that covers the three areas of development i.e. social, economy and the environment. Within this context, the biomass industry offers tremendous opportunity for Malaysia to achieve this agenda. The agricultural sector generates large amount of biomass, that just two decades ago was considered a waste but now increasingly valued as a resource for economic exploitation.</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">The amount of biomass generated annually in Malaysia totals to about 96 million tonnes (wet). The types of biomass available include palm-based biomass (empty fruit bunches, kernel shell, mesocarp fibers and liquid effluent), rice-based biomass (rice husk and straw), forestry waste (saw dust, timber offcuts), rubber wood as well as municipal solid waste. It is estimated that optimum utilization of these biomass resources will generate gross national income of USD 5-10 bil. per annum with total investments of USD15-20 bil.</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">Malaysia is presently moving towards achieving higher level of economic and environmental sustainability via the utilization of the biomass resources in areas such as bio-energy generation, production of compost and biofertilisers, manufacturing of eco-products as well as production of bio-based fuels and chemicals. Both large corporations as well as the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are actively participating, investing and innovating in this new area of economy. The application of advanced biomass conversion technologies is also a key factor in producing high value products from the biomass resource.</span></div>