Balikpapan – A multidisciplinary team of students from the Faculty of Science and Information Technology (FSTI), Institut Teknologi Kalimantan (ITK), showcased an innovative project titled "Utilizing Landfill Methane Gas at Manggar Landfill as an Alternative Energy Source (Waste-to-Energy)" during the 2026 ITK Signature Course Expo. The project was developed collaboratively by students from the Information Systems, Informatics, Actuarial Science, and Statistics study programs under the Department of Electrical Engineering, Informatics and Business (JTEIB) and the Department of Science and Data Analytics (JSAD).

The project team consisted of Andini Permata Sari, Riska Fadlun Khairiyah Purba, Nabilla Nur Anil, Damasus Hardiven Waruwu, Intan Sepwintianingsih, Bryan Endo R., and Reza Ghulam Akmal.

The innovation focuses on capturing methane (CH₄) generated from the decomposition of organic waste at the Manggar Landfill in Balikpapan. While methane is widely recognized as a significant greenhouse gas contributing to climate change, the students proposed transforming it into a clean and renewable energy source through a waste-to-energy approach.

Their proposed system integrates landfill gas collection, gas purification to remove hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), and methane distribution for use as an alternative household fuel. By optimizing landfill gas utilization, the project aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while providing sustainable energy for the surrounding community.

To identify the key challenges preventing optimal methane utilization, the team conducted a comprehensive Fishbone Diagram analysis. The study highlighted several critical factors, including infrastructure limitations, technological readiness, institutional management, human resources, and operational systems that require further improvement to maximize the potential of landfill methane.

The proposed innovation also supports several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

According to the team's analysis, implementing the proposed system could supply clean energy to approximately 500–800 households, reduce household LPG expenditures by up to 40 percent, create new employment opportunities in system operation and maintenance, and contribute to an estimated 30 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions around the Manggar Landfill.

The project demonstrates how interdisciplinary collaboration at ITK can transform environmental challenges into innovative and sustainable solutions. Reflecting the spirit of Impactful ITK and the Impactful Higher Education initiative, the innovation highlights the role of science, data analytics, and information technology in addressing real-world environmental issues while supporting sustainable development in Kalimantan and beyond.