KAJIAN ENERGI TERBARUKAN DAN PENINGKATAN EKONOMI DARI PEMANFAATAN LIMBAH SEKAM PADI MELALUI CO-FIRING BIOMASSA

Abstract

Pemanfaatan limbah sekam padi sebagai sumber energi terbarukan memiliki potensi besar dalam mendukung ketahanan energi nasional sekaligus memberikan nilai tambah ekonomi bagi masyarakat. Indonesia dengan produksi padi mencapai 53,14 juta ton pada tahun 2024 memiliki potensi limbah sekam padi sebesar 10,63 juta ton. Dengan nilai kalor rata-rata 14 MJ/kg, potensi energi teoritis sekam padi mencapai 148,8×10⁹ MJ atau setara dengan 41,33 GWh per tahun. Pemanfaatan sekam padi sebagai bahan bakar campuran (co-firing) pada Pembangkit Listrik Tenaga Uap (PLTU) memberikan kontribusi signifikan terhadap peningkatan bauran energi terbarukan dan pengurangan emisi gas rumah kaca. Berdasarkan data PLN, program co-firing biomassa telah diterapkan di 46 PLTU hingga 2023 dengan penggunaan biomassa 1 juta ton dan penurunan emisi sekitar 1,05 juta ton CO₂e. Uji coba co-firing sekam padi di beberapa PLTU seperti Jeranjang, Paiton, dan Suralaya menunjukkan operasi yang stabil dengan efisiensi tinggi dan penurunan emisi SO₂ hingga 29,22%. Meskipun memiliki nilai kalor lebih rendah dibanding batubara dan kadar abu tinggi (hingga 20,67%), sekam padi tetap potensial digunakan hingga rasio 20–30% massa energi. Kandungan silika (SiO₂) yang mencapai 95,52% menimbulkan tantangan seperti slagging dan fouling, namun residu abu dapat dimanfaatkan sebagai bahan campuran semen atau silica powder. Pemanfaatan sekam padi melalui metode direct co-firing dinilai paling sesuai untuk PLTU di Indonesia karena murah dan mudah diterapkan tanpa modifikasi besar. Secara keseluruhan, co-firing sekam padi mampu mendukung transisi energi bersih, mengurangi ketergantungan pada batubara, meningkatkan ekonomi sirkular pedesaan, serta berkontribusi terhadap target Net Zero Emission 2060 di Indonesia.Utilizing rice husk waste as a renewable energy source has significant potential to support national energy security while providing added economic value to the community. Indonesia, with rice production reaching 53.14 million tons in 2024, has a potential rice husk waste of 10.63 million tons. With an average calorific value of 14 MJ/kg, the theoretical energy potential of rice husk reaches 148.8×10⁹ MJ, equivalent to 41.33 GWh per year. The use of rice husks as a fuel mixture (co-firing) in coal-fired power plants significantly contributes to increasing the renewable energy mix and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. According to PLN data, the biomass co-firing program has been implemented in 46 PLTUs by 2023, with biomass usage reaching 1 million tons and emissions reductions of approximately 1.05 million tons of CO₂e. Rice husk co-firing trials at several coal-fired power plants, such as Jeranjang, Paiton, and Suralaya, demonstrated stable operation with high efficiency and a reduction in SO₂ emissions of up to 29.22%. Despite its lower calorific value than coal and high ash content (up to 20.67%), rice husk still has the potential to be used at a ratio of 20–30% of the energy mass. Its silica (SiO₂) content, which reaches 95.52%, poses challenges such as slagging and fouling, but the ash residue can be used as a cement mixture or silica powder. Utilizing rice husks through the direct co-firing method is considered most suitable for coal-fired power plants in Indonesia because it is inexpensive and easy to implement without significant modifications. Overall, rice husk co-firing can support the clean energy transition, reduce dependence on coal, improve the rural circular economy, and contribute to Indonesia's 2060 Net Zero Emission target.