Analysis of Energy Recovery Potential from Rice Waste and Energy Consumption in Mechanized Rice Cultivation in Malang Regency
Wahyunanto A Nugroho*, Dwi Setiawan, Akhmad Adi

Biosystem Engineering, Brawijaya University

Abstract

This study presents a comprehensive evaluation of energy consumption and the potential for energy recovery in mechanized rice cultivation in Malang Regency. It investigates the critical role of agricultural machinery, fertilizers, and pesticides in enhancing productivity across various farming stages. The energy analysis covers the entire cultivation process-from land preparation to harvest-by converting all inputs into energy equivalents.The primary objective is to quantify the total energy input required for rice farming and to estimate the recoverable energy potential from rice waste under mechanized practices. The study employs a quantitative descriptive approach, incorporating interviews, direct field observations, literature review, and numerical calculations. Key data collected include energy requirements for rice cultivation, energy potential from rice biomass waste, and associated carbon emissions. The results show that producing 5.04 tons of rice per hectare requires 17,023.37 MJ of energy. This process also generates approximately 6.8 tons of straw and 1.091 tons of husk per hectare, amounting to a total biomass of 16.8 tons. The energy potential of this waste is estimated at 63,940.94 MJ/ha, consisting of 49,223.70 MJ/ha from straw and 14,717.24 MJ/ha from husks. It is estimated that around 60.5% of the total biomass waste (7.5% from husks and 53% from straw) can be recovered as usable energy. The recoverable energy potential reaches 375.6% of the energy input, exceeding 100% due to the exclusion of free energy sources such as solar radiation, human labour, and irrigation from the energy balance. Additionally, carbon emissions from rice cultivation are estimated at 1.3 tons of carbon equivalent (t Ce) per hectare, or 0.228 t Ce per ton of rice produced.

Keywords: energy recovery- agricultural residue- rice- mechanization- carbon emission

Topic: Waste and environmental management and engineering