THINKING

BASED LEARNING
"Alternative energy for fossil fuels"

SBV60104
 GROUP MEMBERS

THIVYA DASS 'ADILAH HUSNA PUTERIKU SYAZLEEN SUZICA JOHNnY

M20212003170 M20212002983 M20221001625 M20212003112
 INTRODUCTION
Since the Industrial Revolution, fossil fuels have become the dominant energy source for
most countries globally.
Malaysia is no exception due to the country's electricity sector dependence on fossil fuel
sources which is rapidly increasing due to the fast population growth.
However, the life expectancy of fossil fuels reserves in Malaysia is at an alarming rate
(Mushtaq, F., Maqbool, W., Mat, R. & Ani, F. N. (2013).
Malaysia dependency on fossil fuels has been contributing to the climate change crisis with
carbon dioxide emissions.
Thus, possible alternatives of fossil fuels need to be considered in order to meet the energy
demand.
 ISSUES OF FOSSIL FUELS
I N M A L A Y S I A

Decreasing life
Climate change High energy demand
expectancy
STEP 1
OPTIONS
FACTORS TO
CONSIDER
Next Page
 POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVES
SOLAR ENERGY
A green & renewable energy source which
converts the sunlight into electricity by
using the solar cell installed in a solar
panel (photovoltaic cells).
Photovoltaic cells - produce electricity
when sunlight excites the electrons in
these cells (Shafie et al., 2011).
Applications -
electricity generation,
solar water heating, and
solar drying of agricultural and animal
products.
BIOMASS
A renewable organic material that cfrom
plants and animals.
Examples of organic matters -
solid waste,
crop residue,
firewood, and dung (Tareen et al.,
2020)
In Malaysia, biomass energy is mainly
contributed by oil palm cultivation,
forestry (wood), rubber cultivation, animal
farming & urban wastes (Shafie et al.,
2011)
FACTORS TO CONSIDER
1 2 3

COST AVAILABILITY ENVIRONMENTAL

IMPACTS
SOLAR
ENERGY
 COST
High cost of installation and solar
electricity tariff rate (Soonmin et
al., 2019).
Harder to compete against very
cheap natural gas (Srinivasan et
al., 2019).
Expensive compared to
conventional water heaters
(Srinivasan et al., 2019).
Construction/Installation costs of
solar power plant can be high
(Srinivasan et al., 2019).
 AVAILABILITY
Malaysia has a promising potential
to establish a power plant.
it is located at the equatorial
zone which receives a great
average daily solar radiation
(4500 kWh/m2) and abundant
sunshine for about 10 hours
per day (Soonmin et al., 2019).
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
OF SOLAR ENERGY
 POSITIVE IMPACTS
EMISSION REDUCTION HEALTH BENEFITs

Many serious diseases will be

Photovoltaic systems have a
reduced when the production and
negligible effect on greenhouse
release of NO and SO2 decreases.
gases emissions.
It is predicted that heart attacks
This is such as there are zero
will be reduced by 490-720 by
releases of toxic gases like CO2, NO,
2030 and different types of
and SO2 thus not contributing to
asthma will be reduced by 320-470
global warming (Hosenuzzaman et
annually by 2030 (Hosenuzzaman
al., 2015).
et al., 2015).
 NEGATIVE IMPACTS
Land use & IMPACT TO SOIL &
ecological impacts WATER
Generation of electricity at utility-scale
will require large areas for solar energy As the construction of solar facilities on
collection. large areas of land requires clearing and
Facilities might interfere with existing grading, it leads to soil compaction,
land uses and will affect the use of alteration of drain channels, and
areas such as recreational accumulated erosion.
management areas. Central tower systems will require large
Example - energy systems may amounts of water for cooling which will
impact land through material increase water demand and put pressure
exploration, extraction, on the available water resources
manufacturing & disposal, and energy (Srinivasan et al., 2019).
footprints can be high.
 NEGATIVE IMPACTS

Pollutants Discharge

Although solar cells do not release any pollutants during the operation itself,
solar cell modules contain certain harmful and toxic substances which can be
released to the environment such as soil and groundwater during a fire thus
becoming a threat to the environment (Mahajan, 2012).
BIOMASS
 COST
Cost of biomass is mostly at
the tipping fee.
Example - The tipping fee
for sorting cost of MSW
Using solid waste as biomass
source, the amount of garbage
dumped in landfills is reduced
by 60 to 90 percent, and
reduces the cost of landfill
disposal and amount of land
required for landfill.
 AVAILABILITY
Biomass is always and widely available as a
renewable energy source.
One of the largest contributors of biomass in
Malaysia is the oil palm industry
Municipal solid waste (MSW) is also a source of
biomass material that can be utilized for
bioenergy production with minimal additional
inputs
Generation of municipal solid waste (MSW) in
Malaysia has increased more than 91%
This showed that one of the sources of
biomass is highly available in Malaysia thus,
can be used efficiently for bioenergy
production
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
OF BIOMASS
 POSITIVE IMPACTS
1 2
HELP TO PRESERVE NATURE
Most of the wastes that are used to
produce biomass energy is from
forest harvesting, forest industries,
urban wastes and agricultural
productions.
It will help to reduce the use of
non-renewable resources and
maintain the quality of resources
by recycling and reusing resources.
CONTROL CLIMATE CHANGE
Fossil fuel combustion accounts for
about 90% of CO2 which is the major
contributor to greenhouse gases.
The expected environmental damage
due to emissions from combustion of
fossil fuel has become a critical issue.
Therefore, necessitated a change from
using fossil fuel to biomass as energy
source with less harmful
environmental effects (Onoja et al.,
2019)
 POSITIVE IMPACTS
3
CLEANER ENVIRONMENT

Application of biomass energy as an alternative for fossil fuel will help to

create a cleaner environment.
Malaysia’s population is constantly increasing which has led to increased
waste production.
Waste has to be properly disposed which can be done by using this waste
as a biomass source in order to prevent waste dumping in water resources
which will harm the ecosystems and eventually have a negative effect on
human health.
 NEGATIVE IMPACTS
1 2
DEFORESTATION
Deforestation can have a negative
impact on the environment such as soil
erosion and risks of flood.
It also can drive climate change
adversely.
Removing trees deprives the forest of
portions of its canopy, which blocks the
sun’s rays during the day, and holds in
heat at night.
It may lead to more extreme
temperature swings that can be
harmful to plants and animals.
LOSS OF SOIL NUTRIENTS
When forest biomass such as
harvesting residues are used as a
biomass source to replace fossil fuel to
reduce carbon dioxide emissions, it
reduces the soil fertility.
Removing harvesting residues
contributes to significant loss of soil
organic matter that are found in the
wood debris, forest floor, and deep soil
layer.
Cause depletion of soil nutrients.
 STEP 2
CONSEQUENCES
SUPPORT
VALUE
Next Page
 CONSEQUENCES
"What will happen if this OPTION is selected"

BIOMASS SOLAR ENERGY

Helps to preserve the nature.

Helps to control climate change Emission Reduction

by reducing release of

greenhouse gases (GHG). Health Benefits

Cleaner environment
 SUPPORT
"How the CONSEQUENCES will occur"
BIOMASS
Help to preserve the nature because
wastes generated by agricultural
productions, urban wastes, and
forest industries are biomass
resources
Usage of biomass energy will control
climate change by decreasing the
occurrence of global warming
Biomass energy will help to create a
cleaner environment as it will help in
overcoming waste management
issue in our country.
SOLAR ENERGY
Choosing solar energy as a
replacement for fossil fuel will reduce
the emission of greenhouse gases
(GHG)
Usage of photovoltaic systems
does not release harmful gases
It provides health benefits to the
human population by reducing the
occurrence of heart attack and
asthma.
 VALUE
S O L A R E N E R G Y
 EMISSION REDUCTION
SOCIAL VALUE ECONOMIC VALUE ENVIRONMENTAL

When emission of
VALUE
harmful gases that When photovoltaic
pollute the system reduces the
environment is When emission occurrence of acid rain, it
reduced it will reduction takes place, will help to decrease the
damage on the aquatic
improve the well- the government can ecosystem and protect
being of the public as avoid unnecessary the biodiversity.
the air quality will be costs. This is because acid rain
improved and the will increase the acidity of
public will have access water and affect the
population of the aquatic
to fresh air.
animals badly.
 HEALTH BENEFITS
SOCIAL VALUE
Reduction in the occurrence of
heart attack and asthma due to
the declining amount of
emissions when photovoltaic
systems are used will help to
improve the life quality of the
public as the rate of heart-
related and lung-related diseases
will decrease due to better air
quality.
ECONOMIC VALUE
With reduced number of patients with
heart attack and asthma, the
government will have a lesser
expenditure in terms of providing
medical help such as healthcare
facilities and treatment for a
particular group of patients with heart
attack and asthma
They can use that money to improve
the overall health facilities in the
country with increased affordability.
This will help to ensure the well-being
of the public.
VALUE
B I O M A S S
 1. HELPS TO PRESERVE NATURE
SOCIAL VALUE ECONOMIC VALUE ENVIRONMENTAL
VALUE
Public will be able Biofuel production
to reduce their will be able to Reduce the
carbon footprint. boost the consumption of
They will also be economy of our fossil fuels as they
able to ensure that country. are produced from
the fossil fuels are Attract more renewable resources
not completely investors to invest such as biomass.
depleted and in Malaysia which Biofuels will reduce
preserve the will promote carbon dioxide
natural resources. economic growth. emissions as they
are carbon neutral.
 2. HELPS TO CONTROL
CLIMATE CHANGE
SOCIAL VALUE ECONOMIC VALUE ENVIRONMENTAL
VALUE
Prevent the public
from facing Ensure that the
breathing difficulties Prevent people ocean temperature
and respiratory from carrying out is regulated, and the
diseases caused by mass migration.
the poor quality of
ice caps do not melt
air. which will lead to the
Avoid the runaway level of the sea
Occurrence of skin costs of climate
diseases will reduce water to rise and
change increase the
due to lower
exposure to the occurrence of flash
Sun’s radiation. floods
 3. CLEANER ENVIRONMENT
SOCIAL VALUE ECONOMIC VALUE ENVIRONMENTAL
Public will be able to VALUE
enjoy a greener
environment that is
not littered with Reduce the
various types of Provide opportunities production of
wastes in areas like for the public to leachate due to the
drains and public generate income in reduction in the
places. waste recycling amount of waste
Reduce the load on management systems. present in the
landfill which will be
country.
a sore sight for the
eyes causing visual
disturbance.
 STEP 3
DECISION MAKING MATRIX

factors &
relevant
consequences

Next Page
 COST
BIOMASS
More cost-effective.
This is because when the
biomass waste is reduced, cost
to recycle, and transport waste
decreases as well
Cost needed for landfill also will be
decreased
Compared to production of fossil fuel
using 100% coal, biomass electricity
target by co-firing can reduce the
cost.
solar energy
Solar energy is more expensive
compared to fossil fuel.
For example, the installation cost of
solar panels is high, the solar
electricity tariff rate is high, and
construction of solar panels requires
high cost.
 AVAILABILITY
BIOMASS solar energy
In Malaysia, we know that our country is
Solar energy is constantly available in
one of the largest exporters of palm oil.
Malaysia as Malaysia is located at a
Meanwhile, the biggest industrial biomass
strategic location which is at the
contributor in Malaysia so far is the palm
equatorial zone.
oil sector.
However, unforeseeable weather
This is because oil palm trees consist of a
conditions in Malaysia such as prolonged
large amount of lignocellulose in the form
rainy season can reduce sun exposure
of empty bunches of fruit, mesocarp fibre,
thus making choosing solar energy as an
palm oil etc.
alternative for fossil fuel to be a less
All the waste from the oil palm itself can
effective option.
be used to produce biomass energy.
 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
BIOMASS solar energy

Solar energy is less environmentally friendly

Biomass is environmentally friendly.
large land clearance has to be done for
Generating power from biomass can reduce
facilitation of huge amount of solar
pollution & promote sustainable energy
energy collection.
development.
Large land clearance will lead to loss of
The net emission of CO2 in biomass power
habitat
generation is near to zero as the emitted CO2
Soil erosion will occur due to the excessive
is absorbed in the re-growing process.
land clearance
SO2 emissions also can be reduced
Generation of large amount of electricity
Therefore, the use of biomass as an
will reduce water availability in the country
alternative energy for power generation
Solar cell modules discharge toxic
would be effective in improving the
pollutants in the water resources and soil
environment and decreasing the greenhouse
effect.
STEP 4
DECISION
&
CONCLUSION

Next Page
 DECISION
BEST OPTION - BIOMASS ENERGY
Biomass is more cost-effective to be used as an alternative for fossil fuel.
This is because biomass is able to reduce the production cost of electricity
through co-combustion instead of 100% coal combustion and reduce cost of
landfill disposal
Biomass resources are always available and can be used as an alternative for fossil
fuel
No shortage of biomass resources which makes biomass a very promising and
more effective option
Biomass energy will help to preserve the nature - we can produce biofuels instead of
exploiting the fossil fuels excessively
 DECISION
BEST OPTION - BIOMASS ENERGY
Biomass energy will help to control climate change by reducing release of greenhouse
gases (GHG)
Application of biomass will minimize the emission of the greenhouse gases which
will reduce the occurrence of global warming
Biomass energy will help us create a cleaner environment
wastes are used as biomass sources, the accumulation of waste can be prevented
wastes are used in a more sustainable manner apart from allowing the
government to create a proper waste disposal management
 CONCLUSION
Biomass energy is the best option as an alternative for fossil fuel.
This is because although biomass has both positive and negative impacts, the positive
impacts of biomass energy to the country in terms of cost, availability, and
environmental impacts outweighs the solar energy option which shows that biomass
energy has the best potential to replace fossil fuels.
 REFERENCES
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Environmental Impact of Photovoltaic Power Generation. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews , 41, 1–14.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2014.08.046
2. Mahajan, B. (2012). Negative Environment Impact of Solar Energy. Energy Policy, 1–6.
3. Mushtaq, F., Maqbool, W., Mat, R., & Ani, F. N. (2013). Fossil fuel energy scenario in Malaysia-prospect of indigenous renewable biomass and coal
resources. In CEAT 2013 - 2013 IEEE Conference on Clean Energy and Technology (pp. 232–237).
4. Onoja, E., Chandren, S., Razak, F. I. A., Mahat, N. A., & Wahab, R. A. (2018). Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis) Biomass in Malaysia: The Present and Future
Prospects. Waste and Biomass Valorization, 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12649-018-0258-1
5. Shafie, S. M., Mahlia, T. M. I., Masjuki, H. H., & Andriyana, A. (2011). Current Energy Usage and Sustainable Energy in Malaysia: A Review. Renewable
and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 15, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2011.07.113
6. Soonmin, H., Urrego, L. R., Okoroigwe, E. C., & Lomi, A. (2019). Investigation of Solar Energy: The Case Study in Malaysia, Indonesia, Colombia and
Nigeria. International Journal of Renewable Energy Research, 9(1), 1–10.
7. Srinivasan, M., Velu, A., & Madhubabu, B. (2019). Potential Environmental Impacts of Solar Energy Technologies . International Journal of Science
and Research (IJSR), 8(5), 1–4. https://doi.org/10.21275/ART20197856
8. Tareen, W. U. K., Dilbar, M. T., Farhan, M., Nawaz, M. A., Durrani, A. W., Memon, K. A., Mekhilef, S., Seyedmahmoudian, M., Horan, B., Amir, M., & Aamir , M.
(2020). Present Status and Potential of Biomass Energy in Pakistan Based on Existing and Future Renewable Resources. Sustainability, 12(1), 1–40.
https://doi.org/10.3390/su12010249
THANK
YOU!