PYROGEN-X, Renewable Energy Solution from ITS ELECTICS Students Goes Global

Image: The GACOR ELECTICS ITS team wins 1st place and Best Speaker at the SICUS 2025 Innovation Paper Competition. From left: I Ketut Rama Adi Widhiarta, Andi Bintang Adi Putra, and Akmal Zuhdi.

Surabaya, ELECTICS ITS – Amidst global efforts towards clean energy transition, three ELECTICS ITS students proved that sustainable innovation can come from simple yet impactful ideas. They are Andi Bintang Adi Putra, I Ketut Rama Adi Widhiarta, and Akmal Zuhdi from the Department of Electrical Engineering, who are members of the GACOR team. The three recently represented ITS in the 2025 International Competition SICUS (Scientific Innovation and Creativity for Sustainable Future), a prestigious competition that brings together students from various countries to showcase creative solutions in the fields of science, technology, and sustainability.

At this international event, the GACOR team presented an innovation called PYROGEN-X, a portable stove based on biomass gasification. This device is designed to produce clean and efficient fire with low emissions, making it an ideal solution for communities in rural areas or post-disaster areas with limited access to electricity and LPG. By utilizing local biomass waste such as rice husks, twigs, and sawdust, PYROGEN-X offers a renewable energy alternative that is inexpensive, environmentally friendly, and relevant to the conditions of Indonesian society. This innovation is in line with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 7, 12, and 13, namely Affordable and Clean Energy, Responsible Consumption and Production, and Climate Action.

“In this way, we are not only reducing dependence on fossil fuels, but also helping to curb deforestation and carbon emissions,” explained Andi.

According to Andi, GACOR’s main strength lies in the relevance and tangible benefits of the solutions they offer. “We stand out because our solutions are realistic, local, and sustainable. In addition, we bring contextual innovations that have a direct impact on the community, especially in remote and crisis-affected areas,” he said. This approach is the key differentiator for the GACOR team among many international teams that focus on large-scale technology but fail to address the basic needs of the community.

Image: I Ketut Rama Adi Widhiarta, member of the GACOR team and Co-Founder of PV Cloost.

For I Ketut Rama Adi Widhiarta, his experience as Co-Founder of PV Cloost, a renewable energy startup, has strengthened his vision in this competition. “This experience has helped me understand the importance of energy efficiency and the utilization of local resources. We have incorporated these principles into the design of PYROGEN-X in order to reduce carbon emissions from cooking activities in Indonesian villages,” said Rama.

Meanwhile, the preparation process for the competition was carried out thoroughly. The GACOR team began with international literature research, conceptual design, and analysis of the best materials for thermal efficiency and safety. Each member had a specific role in research, design, and the preparation of scientific presentations based on data relevant to conditions in Indonesia.

Although they have no plans to further develop PYROGEN-X, the GACOR team’s enthusiasm for continuing to innovate remains unabated. Andi emphasized, “Don’t be afraid to start with simple problems around us. Great innovations are born from empathy for the needs of the community. Renewable energy is not just about high technology, but how to create solutions that are impactful and sustainable for all.”

The story of the GACOR team demonstrates that sustainability is not merely a trend but a movement rooted in concern for the environment and fellow humans. They show that students from the Faculty of Intelligent Electrical and Informatics Technology (F-ELECTICS) at ITS can compete on the global stage with innovations grounded in local roots and a global vision.