Design of Integrated Palm Oil Based Complex via Food-Energy-Water Nexus Optimization Framework

Abstract

This chapter aims to present an optimization-based systematic framework to design an integrated palm oil based complex (POBC) with food-energy-water nexus (FEW) integrations. With gaining interest in the FEW nexus for sustainability improvement, the oil palm sector with great possibilities of integration between food, energy, and water resources, requires significant attention especially in palm oil exporting countries such as Malaysia. Besides the palm-based biofuel production system and biomass supply chain planning, the optimal strategy for palm oil mill effluent (POME) management is in need of a trade-off evaluation between food, energy, and water security. Although nationally, biogas capture and composting are encouraged to achieve methane mitigated POME management in Malaysian palm oil mills (POM), the slow implementation pace reflects the need for providing alternative options. Therefore, a new conceptual zone of the palm oil processing complex, termed POBC, is proposed considering POME elimination as one of the POME management approaches. The evaluation of FEW nexus is thus an important aspect to be considered in the optimization of the POBC design to secure the three resources. A fuzzy multi-objective optimization model-based approach is developed in this study to aid the planning of an optimum POBC with maximum satisfaction between economic advantage, food, energy, and water security. The developed model and optimal network will provide input to POM owners on the contributions of the FEW nexus in optimal POME management and POM configuration.