Anaerobic biodigester as a community-based food waste processor (case study: Canteen area of PT PLN Nusantara Power UP Muara Karang)

Abstract

In 2022, DKI Jakarta disposed of ± 8,000 tons/day of waste to the Integrated Waste Processing Site (TPST) Bantar Gebang. Among them, 3,761.90 tons/day of organic waste were generated from domestic activities. Considering the amount of organic waste, the potential to convert it into biogas through anaerobic biodigester was feasible. As the organic waste decomposes, it produces methane (CH4) gas, which holds value as a renewable alternative energy source. Processing food waste into biogas is not only perceived as an effective way to reduce CH4 hazards but also provides economic benefits for the community. PT PLN Nusantara Power UP Muara Karang, located in Pluit - North Jakarta, attempted to make a breakthrough in waste management, especially in the Pluit Sub-district, through a methane capture and processing facility. Employing quantitative methods with primary data, this research was conducted from May to August 2023 and focused on the canteen area whose tenants came from the Pluit neighborhood. The anaerobic biodigester facility has a design capacity of up to 5 m3 or 800 kg of food waste. In its initial operation (May to August 2023), the food waste processed 363.5 kg and produced 40.7 m3 of methane gas, or 1.4009 GJ, and was used by canteen tenants for their daily operations. Annually, based on its initial condition, the activity conducted in this research can reduce greenhouse gases by 690 kg CO2e and provide economic benefits of Rp 16,000,000.