Master's Thesis Call: Assessment of 2nd generation ethanol potentials from rice husk and rice straw in Bali, Indonesia

Assessment of 2nd generation ethanol potentials from rice husk and rice straw in Bali, Indonesia.

General Information

Category: Master's Thesis Project, 30 hp

Supervisor / Contact Person: Henrique Pacini (Henrique.Pacini@energy.kth.se)

Examiner: Prof. Semida Silveira

Division: Energy and Climate Studies (ECS)

Proposal Deadline: December 10th, 2012

Student Selection: December 14th, 2012

Project Duration: January 1st, 2013 to May 30th, 2013 (5 months)

Funding:The selected student will receive up to SEK15000 to support trip costs to Indonesia (airfare, accommodation and daily subsistence allowance) financed by the ECS department (min 3 weeks)

Background

Ethanol fuel can help developing countries move towards sustainable development, and at the same time reduce poverty and develop new agro-industrial systems. The use of agricultural residues and woody biomass to produce advanced biofuels can avoid conflicts with food production and/or significant impacts on food prices. In the specific case of Bali in Indonesia, second-generation (lignocellulosic) ethanol based on existing (and underutilized) agricultural residues from rice paddy could possibly provide a path towards clean energy without the risk of increasing food prices. 

An on-going, Sida-funded project at ECS is examining the potential of sugarcane ethanol in Indonesia. The objective of this Master Thesis is to complement the broader ethanol study in Indonesia. The master thesis shall focus specifically in estimating the potential for 2nd generation ethanol production in the Bali region. The estimates should take into consideration residue streams from existing rice production in Bali, and shall be based on parameters available in academic literature, as well as on data gathered during a field visit.

Objectives

• To produce an assessment of the potential production of 2nd generation (lignocellulosic) ethanol which could be produced from rice husk and/or rice straw in the Bali region, Indonesia.
• To map the characteristics of the rice production sector including identification of the actors involved in the production chain;
• To conduct a literature survey exploring technological options available, which could allow the realization of the potentials estimated. The technologies shall ideally be proven in similar contexts in Southern Asia. 

Qualifications

The analysis to be undertaken is interdisciplinary in nature, and requires some knowledge of agricultural practices, energy conversion technologies, energy planning/policy and economics. Students should have an undergraduate degree in chemistry, biology, engineering, economics, or similar fields.

Study task includes

The student(s) will first conduct a literature review on previous research related to second generation ethanol from rice residues. The next step will be to gather data on agricultural production in Bali, focusing on rice. With figures in hand, the student shall produce scenarios of how much 2nd generation ethanol could be produced, based on different assumptions about technology and levels of residue utilization. The study will mainly produce an initial potential assessment of how much energy (in terms of ethanol) could be produced based on current rice production. At the end, the master thesis shall conclude with recommendations of measures which would be necessary in order to realize the potentials identified.

Our local partner in Bali is Dr. Alit Artha Wiguna (Bali Assessment Institute of Agricultural Technology). During the field visit to Indonesia, Dr. Alit will host the master student in the Institute, in order to gather data on rice residue streams. Other stakeholders could also be consulted by the student.                                                        

Research Methodology

Students shall formulate the appropriate research questions to meet the given objective. They should develop an appropriate research methodology and work plan, keeping the above points in consideration.

Applications are welcome from interested candidates, who want to do their MSc thesis under this topic. Knowledge of Bahasa Indonesia will be an advantage for this study but is not a requirement. The student should submit the application including a brief proposal of 2 to 3 pages (with background of the study country, objectives and tentative methodology) on the topic along with a brief CV, credits and grades obtained so far. Note that you should already have at least 60 credits completed before the date you apply. The proposal shall be submitted by email to Henrique.pacini@energy.kth.se  not later than December 10th,  2012.