Colombian Researchers Identify Rice and Palm Waste as Superior Biofuels to Combat Regional Energy Poverty

Colombian researchers find rice and palm waste are high-stability biofuels, offering a reliable electricity solution for 9.6 million people in energy poverty.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 28, 2026, 6:22 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Universidad Nacional de Colombia and ECONEWS

Agricultural Waste Offers Solution for Rural Electrification

The challenge of bringing reliable electricity to Colombia’s most remote regions may find its solution in the mountains of waste left behind by the nation’s agricultural sector. A breakthrough study led by mechanical engineer Sebastián Achury Ortiz at the Universidad Nacional de Colombia suggests that specific crop residues—previously viewed as disposal burdens—possess the chemical properties necessary to power biomass reactors without the frequent technical failures that plague traditional systems. This development is particularly critical for the nearly 10 million Colombians who remain disconnected from the national power grid or suffer from severe energy poverty.

Silicon Chemistry Prevents Costly Reactor Shutdowns

At the center of this research is the problem of "agglomeration," where minerals in burning plant material turn into a sticky melt that glues reactor sand together into large, solid clumps. In laboratory tests heated to 900°C (1,652°F), Achury found that coffee husks produced massive clogs up to 6 centimeters in diameter, which can effectively shut down an industrial boiler. However, rice husks and palm kernel shells remained remarkably stable, leaving only minute deposits. The study concludes that the high natural silicon content in rice and palm acts as a chemical stabilizer, preventing the potassium-led reactions that cause catastrophic equipment failure.

Untapped Energy Potential in Rice and Palm Sectors

The scale of available fuel "hiding in plain sight" is substantial according to national production data. With Colombia’s paddy rice output estimated at 3 million metric tons for 2025, the resulting rice husk waste alone could reach approximately 600,000 metric tons annually. Combined with an additional 200,000 to 300,000 metric tons of palm kernel shell identified by Fedepalma, these residues represent a concentrated and consistent fuel stream. Unlike coal or diesel, which must be transported at great expense to rural areas, these biofuels are generated exactly where the energy is needed most: in the agricultural heartlands.