Renewable energy sources are one of the most effective alternatives to overcome massive exploitation. One of the easiest ways is to use biomass from livestock waste and wood processing. The use of dissemination technology to make fuel and briquette has become an economic potential developed by the Prafi District West Papua.
Potential Use of Alternative Energy
Biomass has the potential to be a renewable energy source in very abundant quantities in Papua. Generally, this has a low economic value because the primary product has been taken. In this case, livestock waste and processed wood are the main ingredients as biomass. This material can be a profitable alternative for waste treatment for local communities.
The problem initially arose because the community experienced the problem of scarcity of fuel oil. In addition, low income is also a serious problem because it only relies on agricultural products. The solution to overcome this problem is to process the waste into briquettes made from goat manure and sawdust in the Prafi district.
The goat population in this area is increasing every year. In fact, the Manokwari area has the highest goat population in Papua. Goats in Papua use local breeds to produce meat. Business activities in the livestock sector have good potential in the economy of the people in Papua. However, it also causes environmental pollution.
It is because livestock manure that is not managed properly produces methane gas (CH4) which is a greenhouse effect. However, if the treatment of livestock waste is carried out properly in West Papua, it provides an additional source of income for the community’s economy. Not only that, but environmental problems also come from logging waste or wood.
The wood processing industry in Manokwari involves sawmills as its main activity. As a result, this produces organic waste in the form of sawdust which often causes environmental problems. Wood sawdust waste is abandoned and thrown into the river. Some communities burn sawdust which increases the amount of carbon gas rising into the atmosphere.
In addition, people in the Prafi district still use kerosene as their main fuel. In fact, fuel consumption in Indonesia has exceeded domestic production. For this reason, there are many alternative fuels to overcome fuel scarcity. It utilizes waste as a renewable biomass fuel as the best solution for the environment.
Benefits of Biomass as an Alternative Fuel
Biomass is a complex mixture of organic materials derived from living things. The main sources can be from living animal bodies, plant growth, livestock waste, twigs, weeds, and peat. Meanwhile, biomass in the form of goat manure livestock waste and sawmill industrial waste can be an alternative fuel source in West Papua. It provides an economic advantage for briquette manufacturing.
Alternative fuels for making briquettes can be produced simply. As a result, its use is applicable in the field because it provides abundant raw materials around the community. In addition, alternative fuels can reduce the use of kerosene significantly. Thus, several activities for processing livestock manure and agricultural waste into briquettes continue to be developed.
Waste Treatment Technology Innovation Products
Introducing the right waste treatment technology products to the public will be the best solution in utilizing renewable energy. Processing goat manure and wood sawdust is the best alternative to overcome environmental pollution and renewable energy. Therefore, the government and the private sector are empowered to simulate the application of waste treatment innovations.
The main community empowerment activity is to provide information about waste management. The approach method is by implementing three programs – counseling, participation, training or demonstration, and mentoring. The community participates to develop their ability to produce briquettes from industrial waste and livestock waste in West Papua.
Socialization of activities is the main focus because it provides information about the basic ingredients for making alternative energy. After that, technology dissemination applies demonstration or practice methods, training, and mentoring. This process applies the direct practice of making briquettes using an animal dung milling machine and a briquette press step by step.
After the extension process is complete, the implementing team evaluates how much motivation the community has in implementing the new technology. It is essential to use alternative fuels from waste. In addition, the proper use of waste will produce valuable products from wasted waste. As a result, people in the Prafi district have the opportunity to grow.
After molding the waste into briquettes, this material must be dried. Then, there is a process of testing the quality of the briquettes to make them more economical. Furthermore, the best quality briquettes are ready to enter the market. The best briquettes will be packaged in plastic and sold at a high economic value to district Prafi people in West Papua.
Based on community empowerment activities in the two Prafi districts, technological product innovations for processing goat manure and sawmill waste produce briquettes. This is the best alternative fuel in overcoming the scarcity of fuel oil. In addition, the dissemination technology of this waste can provide waste treatment solutions.
