Indonesia's energy demand continues to grow due to population increase, rapid urbanization, and industrial expansion. The need for electricity and fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas rises annually to support residential, transportation, and industrial sectors. Although the country is rich in natural resources, it remains heavily dependent on fossil fuels, which leads to high carbon emissions and ongoing sustainability challenges. In response, the government is encouraging an energy transition through investments in renewable energy sources, including solar, wind, hydro, and biomass, with a national target of achieving 23% renewable energy in the energy mix by 2025 (Setyono & Kiono, 2021), (Yudiartono et al., 2023).

Despite the progress, several obstacles persist, such as inadequate investment, suboptimal regulatory support, and unequal access to technology and infrastructure across regions. Through the 2021–2030 Electricity Supply Business Plan (RUPTL) and its commitment to decarbonization, the government continues to involve domestic and international stakeholders to accelerate renewable energy development (Sianipar et al., 2024).

Biomass from agriculture and plantations, including crops like sugarcane, oil palm, coffee, and Jatropha, is one of the most promising renewable energy sources. These plants generate organic waste that can be processed into electricity or fuel through gasification. However, limitations such as irregular supply, uneven resource distribution, and economic challenges remain. Addressing these issues requires carbon assessments, land-use planning, technological innovation, and the empowerment of local farming communities (Papilo et al., 2017),(Nelly et al., 2023).

One innovative technology in renewable energy is the Plant Microbial Fuel Cell (P-MFC), which utilizes certain plants like red shoot (Syzygium oleina). In this system, photosynthesis produces organic compounds and root exudates, which are decomposed by electrogenic microbes, releasing electrons and protons. These are then captured by electrodes to generate electricity (Nurkholis Alfian1 , Mela Aurelia2 , Karina Berliana Mulyanto3, 2018).

In the P-MFC setup, the anode is placed in an anaerobic zone and made from conductive materials such as graphite or stainless steel to effectively capture electrons. In red shoot plants, compounds like polyphenols and anthocyanins support this microbial activity (Latif et al., 2023). The cathode, usually placed in an oxygen-rich environment, may also be integrated with photosynthetic organisms like algae in a biocathode system to enhance efficiency. Materials like carbon cloth coated with catalysts such as manganese or platinum are commonly used to support the oxygen reduction reaction (Rosyadi et al., 2017).

Overall, P-MFC technology presents strong potential as a renewable, environmentally friendly energy solution by converting natural plant-microbe interactions into usable electricity (Punia et al., 2021).

Plant Microbial Fuel Cells (P-MFC) play an important role in renewable energy as an environmentally friendly and sustainable alternative energy source, reducing dependence on fossil fuels. This technology supports national energy

security amid the threat of a global energy crisis. According to the National Energy Master Plan (RUEN) 2023, renewable energy contributes 13.29% of the energy mix, with a target of 23% by 2025 and 31% by 2050, as per Government Regulation No. 79 of 2014. The utilization of energy crops as a source of renewable energy requires abundant raw material availability and collaboration between the government, the community, and the private sector. Although challenges remain significant, this also opens up opportunities for cross-sector innovation in supporting national energy security (Households et al., 2025).

This study is categorized as action research and was conducted at Jalan Ahmad Yani Kertasemboja No. 11, Cirebon City. The research took place from July 10 to July 14, 2025, with measurements carried out daily from 7:00 AM to 19:00 PM. The research object was red shoot plants (Syzygium oleina) with varying fertilizer compositions ranging from 25% to 100%. The aim of this study is to determine the amount of voltage, electric current, and electrical power generated using the Plant Microbial Fuel Cell (P-MFC) method.

Measurements were conducted over two days at hourly intervals from 07:00 AM to 07:00 PM using three plant samples: T1, T2, and T3. Voltage, current, and power were measured using a multimeter. The highest voltage (0.90 V) was recorded in Plant 2 (T2), and the highest current (1.04 A) in Plant 3 (T3), both at 12:00 PM. Using the formula P = V × I, the maximum power output was calculated as 0.936 Watt, indicating peak performance at noon, likely due to maximum sunlight. Fluctuations in data were influenced by factors such as light intensity, soil moisture, temperature, and plant health. Overall, T2 showed better voltage output, while T3 produced higher current, suggesting their potential suitability for bioenergy and plant-based fuel cell applications.

Table 1. Voltage and Ampere measurement results Day-1

Effect of Fertilizer Composition this study used variations in organic fertilizer composition (25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) to assess their impact on voltage, current, and electrical power generated by the P-MFC system. The results showed that higher fertilizer composition led to greater electrical output. T1 (25%) produced the lowest power due to insufficient nutrients for microbial activity. T2 (50%) showed increased microbial activity. T3 (75%) provided a

balanced environment for both plant growth and microbial function, with voltage reaching up to 1.7 V and current up to 1.04 A. T4 (100%) generated the highest power output and successfully lit an LED, indicating strong support for the electrogenic process.

However, for long-term application, the potential impact of excess nutrients on soil microbial stability should be further examined. Environmental factors such as sunlight, soil temperature, and moisture influenced voltage and current fluctuations, with peak outputs during optimal midday conditions. Higher fertilizer composition likely increased organic matter for electrogenic microbes, though excessive nutrients may disrupt microbial stability over time. Iron electrodes, while low-cost, are prone to corrosion, suggesting alternatives like graphite or carbon-coated stainless steel for better conductivity. Scaling the system through parallel or series connections could boost power for practical uses such as sensors or lighting. P-MFC technology also holds potential for integration into urban green spaces, agricultural areas, or wetlands, offering clean energy while promoting environmental education.

This study demonstrates that the ornamental plant Syzygium oleina (red shoot) can generate electrical energy through a Plant-Microbial Fuel Cell (P- MFC) system. Although the power output remains low (maximum of 0.33 mW), the system shows stability in producing continuous current and voltage. The interaction between the plant, soil microorganisms, and electrodes, as well as the choice of electrode material such as iron, affects the system’s efficiency. P-MFC technology holds potential as an environmentally friendly energy solution, especially for remote areas with limited access to electricity.

Electrode materials with higher conductivity and corrosion resistance, such as graphite or carbon-coated stainless steel. Fertilizer variations significantly affect power output, so further research should explore the comparison between organic and inorganic fertilizers, as well as the effects of soil moisture, pH, and oxygen content. Due to the relatively low power output, the P-MFC system can be connected in parallel or series to combine power from multiple units, enabling it to power small devices. As a next step, this system could be piloted in agricultural fields or urban parks as a small-scale clean energy solution and educational tool for communities to support renewable energy initiatives. To enhance the performance of the P-MFC system, it is recommended to use.

Further studies are recommended to optimize the efficiency of the P-MFC system by exploring alternative electrode materials with higher conductivity, testing different soil conditions and microbial communities, and evaluating various plant species beyond Syzygium oleina. Long-term performance analysis under different environmental conditions, including seasonal changes, will also

be valuable to assess durability and scalability. Additionally, research on integrating P-MFC with other renewable energy systems could enhance its potential application for sustainable electricity generation in remote areas.