Cocos Nucifera: An Abundant Renewable Source of Energy

Cocos Nucifera trees, otherwise known as coconut palm trees, grow abundantly along the coast line of countries within 15 of the equator. They prosper in sandy, saline soil and in tropical climates. A healthy coconut tree will produce approximately 120 watermelonsized husks per year, each with a coconut imbedded inside. There are three constituents of the Cocos Nucifera that can be used for fuel: the husk, the coconut shell, and the coconut oil that is in the white coconut “meat”, or copra as it is usually called. Thus, the coconut tree is a very abundant, renewable resource of energy. We have been investigating the production of energy from these Figure 1. Coconut tree with husks three constituents of coconuts and their husks.