Productivity Analysis and Projection of Gamal Potential as an Renewable Energy Using a Matrix Leslie Friska Dinarta Aritonang(a*) ,Yoyo Suhaya (b), Atmawi Darwis(b)
a.Forestry Engineering Study Program, School of Life Science and Technology, Bandung Institute of Technology
Jalan Let. Ret. Dr.(HC) Mashudi 1, Jatinangor, RegencySumedang, Java West 45363, Indonesia
Abstract
The escalating energy demand in Indonesia is at odds with the available energy production. A promising solution is the promotion of wood as biomass, with Gamal trees emerging as a potential energy crop. This study delves into analyzing the productivity of Gamal trees in the Purwakarta Forest Management Unit (KPH) and forecasting their electricity generation potential in two distinct site conditions. Examining 128 poorly growing Gamal trees in plot 69E1 and 142 well growing ones in plot 70C2, all planted in 2019 provided crucial data on height, diameter, and volume. Well-growing Gamal trees exhibited higher growth rates : 0.9368m/year for height, 0.047m/year for diameter, and 0.0156m cubic/year for volume, compared to poorly growing ones with rates of 0.726m/year, 0.013m/year, and 0.00135m cubic/year respectively. Utilizing the Leslie matrix method for growth projection, poorly growing Gamal trees showed estimated growth of 6.3cm in height, 0.071cm in diameter, and 0.0104cm cubic in volume, while well growing ones projected to grow by 19.1cm, 0.36cm, and 0.049cm cubic respectively, annually. Stand characteristics such as basal area and tree count influenced ingrowth, upgrowth, and mortality models differently for well growing and poorly growing Gamal trees. Extrapolating volume dimension growth data, well growing trees on 1 hectare are estimated to yield 1,663,298cm cubic, while poorly growing ones yield 116,635cm cubic. By planting energy crops across 10.94 hectares in plots 70C2 and 69E1, the Purwakarta Forest Management Unit could potentially generate 67,684,033 watts of electricity annually. This research underscores the potential of Gamal trees as a renewable energy source, offering insights for sustainable energy planning in Indonesia.
