EduAsiaNews, Yogyakarta – The government, through the Ministry of Environment/Environmental Control Agency, continues to intensify the development of Waste-to-Energy (WtE) Projects (PSEL) as a strategic step in national waste management. Through an agglomeration approach, the government is accelerating the implementation of PSEL in various regions to ensure supply adequacy and facility sustainability. Nevertheless, the implementation of this technology in Indonesia faces a significant challenge, namely the characteristics of domestic waste, which are predominantly composed of wet organic materials.
A Professor from the Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Prof. Wiratni, S.T., M.T., Ph.D., IPM., explained that combustion or incineration technology commonly used in PSEL is highly dependent on the dryness level of the waste. According to her, the high moisture content in domestic waste has the potential to hinder heat optimization. This directly affects the reduction in the amount of electricity generated per ton of waste. “PSEL technology will function optimally under conditions where waste has low moisture content. The presence of water reduces the efficiency of heat utilization, thereby decreasing the amount of electrical energy produced per ton of waste,” she explained on Monday (April 27).
Wiratni emphasized that if the moisture content is not strictly addressed from the sorting stage, PSEL facilities will be forced to modify their operational processes to reduce water content, either mechanically or thermally. According to her, this not only complicates the technical scheme but also significantly impacts project costs. “If the waste entering PSEL remains unsorted and is dominated by organic waste, it must undergo a drying process first. This will certainly increase investment costs for equipment, operational expenses, and energy requirements,” she asserted.
Addressing concerns that PSEL facilities may face fuel shortages if the public becomes more active in reducing waste, Prof. Wiratni provided clarification. She noted that the current requirement for large volumes of waste is likely based on unsorted waste. “Because the waste still contains relatively high moisture, a large quantity is required to generate each kilowatt-hour of electricity. In fact, if the waste is properly sorted and therefore dry, a smaller quantity would be sufficient to produce 1 kWh due to better heat efficiency,” she explained.
Furthermore, regarding the optimization of PSEL performance, the academic specializing in bioprocess engineering suggested utilizing existing community-based waste processing units as the frontline for waste sorting. According to her, optimizing units such as the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Waste Processing Facilities (TPS3R), a program initiated by the Ministry of Public Works and Housing since 2012, could support the success of PSEL projects. “Organic waste at TPS3R can be processed into compost or maggot, which have market value and are relatively easy to manage on a small scale. The inorganic components can then be sent to PSEL as high-quality fuel in terms of calorific value,” she explained.
Wiratni also emphasized that technological solutions will not have a lasting impact without behavioral changes in society. “If we only build PSEL facilities without fostering a sense of ownership, no technology will be sustainable in the long term. Ideally, alongside PSEL development, social mapping should also be conducted in the areas served by PSEL to optimize active community involvement through TPS3R, waste banks, and other supporting systems,” she concluded.
