Jatropha Cultivation in Halmahera

So far, the project has identified the creation of the Home Power Generator (HPG) based on solar energy. This Home Power Generator and its components is better described in the article "Compact Power Generator for the Home". For this Home Power Generator a Stirling Engine has been designed and is in the prototype stage of development. A 3 KWh HPG equipment should cost less than 5,000 USD and should be a cheaper option than photovoltaic panels of similar capacities, and turned out to be the most likely technology for solar power in a distributed model setting. Infinia Corporation and Stirling Energy Systems Inc, are two US companies that have already begun to use the Stirling Engine to generate electricity with success.

Another option to explore in Halmahera is a bio-fuel option, especially when Halmahera has plenty of land for cultivation. For this 1,500 Hectares (3,750 Acres) have been allotted for cultivating the Jatropha tree.

Jatropha Curcas Tree produces a fruit that can extract a non-edible oil with very high calorific content. In accordance to www.carboncreditfarming.com the jatropha oil has 39,650 kcal, very similar to diesel fuel. The jatropha oil has already been tested by New Zealand Air as a fuel for airplanes in December 2008 and the English are using it to run diesel engines. Its foot print is small when burnt, and can be planted as much as you require without competing with food production.

Sustainable Pacific Corporation and its Indonesian affiliate PT Bentang Persada Gemilang are already making plans to offer institutional and private investors, 1,500 Hectares for Jatropha planting Estates. This should also generate a great deal of Carbon Credits because it is a substitute to fossil fuels that have much higher carbon emissions. A Jatropha harvest can be obtained twice a year from the same trees that have duration of 25 years. Mr. Harianto Widjaja, CEO of the sustainable development project in Halmahera, further states that the agricultural waste created from the crushed jatropha seeds is very rich in Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium, making it an ideal ingredient in the compost production mix, required by the sustainable development project.

Jatropha is currently being cultivated in India, where much research has been compiled. In Indonesia, people are beginning to dimension the need to plant Jatropha as a way of curving the fossil fuel depletion and contributing to reduce the carbon emission. Naturally, the big energy companies do not like nor will do anything to develop or promote Jatropha. These big companies wish to continue with their business models as they are until either they fully deplete the fossil fuels or there is a world climate catastrophe.

Please help to reduce the planets carbon footprint. If you are interested in obtaining more information on planting Jatropha, please contact bharianto_widjaja@worldteakplantation.com