Innovation

Located in Ciomas Bogor – West Java, Swen IT started making biogas by producing Biogas reactors made of fiber glass. This Company began operating biogas reactors since 2007 and have more than 100 employees from the surrounding villages. Biogas reactors produced by Swen IT converted human waste (feces), manure and agriculture waste into biogas and several products. Every part of waste becomes very useful. Some of the outputs are in the form of organic fertilizer (compos and urea), catfish food, and fertilizers for hydroponics.

The main idea of developing biogas is through the Concept of “Agroedutourism”. This means that when Swen IT started the business, they consider to integrate agriculture, education, and tourism aspect in parallel with the biogas reactor production and sales. It is not only optimizing agriculture waste but also providing training for biogas operator, fun education for children / students but also developing very comprehensive pilot workshop that integrates cattle farm, biogas production, catfish farm, hydroponics, vegetable farm in one place that gives us the wow feeling. It is very inspiring for the visitors. For the end users they can do the same thing in their farm and for the school student, they can learn about biogas in an easy and fun way. For most people they can spend their time in the workshop and feel the nature of green energy.

In her House, Sri Wahyuni also has a pilot workshop converting human waste (feces) into biogas. Although its biogas production is lower than that of manure, but it shows that even the feces are still worthy enough. Ideally house with 5-6 six persons can produce biogas for one week production and one week consumption of cooking. Septic tank as biogas reactor combined by piping system and connected to biogas stove, biogas rice cooker, biogas heater and lamp will make the house become self-sufficient in energy. Before usage, biogas will be stored in 2m3 safe balloon and could replace Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) for residential.

Swen IT also produces some residential devices that helps housewife or family member to do their daily activities. All of the device are using biogas for the fuel, like stove, rice cooker, biogas lamp, oven, electric generator, and water pump.

Inspiration

When Sri Wahyuni started this biogas business, she was a government officer. As we know in Indonesia that being a government officer is a very prestigious position. But she turn it down and become an entrepreneur by making biogas reactor. For her, to be an entrepreneur and to provide jobs to the local community is a form of vacation.

In 2007, Indonesia was experiencing an energy crisis since it is mainly the fossil-based energy. The current government is also promoting the conversion of fuel oil into gas or LPG. Seen any of those opportunities and armed with experience, Sri Wahyuni look at the biogas business opportunities as being very attractive and need to be developed. Creating one solution based on community pain-point.

Basically, Biogas is one of the green and cheap energy for residential house. The biogas obtained from organic waste is processed in an anaerobic reactor that produces methane gas which is included in the category of environmentally friendly gas with zero emissions. Other results that can be obtained from the reaction of methane formation is a very useful organic fertilizer for plants.

A unique approach has been carried out by Sri Wahyuni. She was able to package the product of biogas into a business model so that the concept offered enables them to become self-sufficient farmers who are not only producing energy but also capable of producing agricultural products which excel through hydroponic techniques such as the fertilizer derived from biogas reactor. So that the reactor manufactured by Swen IT provide a total solution for the farmer in producing energy, organic fertilizer, and excellent agricultural system.

Overall impact

SWEN IT has been awarded the Primary Energy, 2012 from the Ministry of Energy and Creative Industry awards from the Ministry of SMEs. It shows that Swen IT has a big impact not only for Government Programs but also for communities and the sustainability of energy.

Since it started in 2007, Swen IT has produced and installed more than 3,400 unit biogas reactor plants in over 33 provinces. Swen IT also has an agreement with local governments that want to build biogas plants in their area. Swen IT will serve them not only for the biogas reactor plant but also supporting to create the business model, training, and warranty. Every place that will be developed specially depends on the geographic condition and environment. Biogas reactor produced by SWEN IT made of fiberglass has met the certification SNI (Indonesian National Standard) and ISO 9001. So from the customer's perspective, they will get a lot beneficial advantages and a good quality product.

In running daily production, Swen IT has employed more than 100 people that come from Ciomas and surrounding. Annually Swen IT also has a CSR Program for Community like mass circumcision (“khitan massal”). So with this strategic approach and collaboration with community, Swen IT becomes one of the solution not only for energy but also for public welfare.

Business benefit

Swen IT has produced more that 3,400 unit reactors and installed in 33 provinces in Indonesia since 2007. With large networking and area marketing, Swen IT has became the most aggressive business entity that makes significant contributions in delivering and educating Indonesian Society to know more about biogas and implement the Biogas Plant in their backyard, especially for villagers who own cattle / cow farming.

The Smaller Biogas Reactor is about 5 m3 and it cost about IDR 25 million including installation and start up process. For 7 m3 cost about IDR 30 Million. From the business perspective, it is a very promising business and create a great value chain. It is not only doing business in a good way but also contribute to our environment and make farmers more prosperous.

Social and environmental benefit

The product made by Swen IT has a very powerful impact to social and environment aspect. The Biogas reactor could be installed side by side to the cow farmer. Cow dung would have probably been thrown away and caused pollution and the odor disturb the environment, then the biogas reactor cow manure can be processed into a more useful product and a bad odor disappeared.

Combining dairy farms with biogas reactors provide added value for farmers. they can increase revenues by processing cow manure into biogas, organic fertilizer and save on production costs for electricity and others.

As for the environment, processing cow manure eliminates potential contamination and the unpleasant smell disappears. Impression that cattle ranchers were dirty and the smell can be eliminated with the installation of a biogas reactor and the product is well-known. Biogas is environmentally friendly because in addition to the high efficiency, the result of combustion can be categorized as zero emission combustion.

Interview

Sri Wahyuni, SE,MP