DOI: https://doi.org/10.61435/jbes.2026.20019

Techno-Economic Analysis and Life Cycle Assessment of a Modular Microbial Electrosynthesis System for Solar-Intermittent Industrial CO₂ Valorisation

Department of Environmental Engineering, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Jl. Raya ITS, Sukolilo, Surabaya 60111, Jawa Timur, Indonesia, Indonesia

Received: 20 Apr 2026; Published: 6 Aug 2026.
Editor(s): Marcelinus Christwardana
Open Access Copyright (c) 2025 The Author(s). Published by Centre of Biomass and Renewable Energy (CBIORE)
Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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Abstract
Hard-to-abate industrial sectors in Indonesia generate significant CO₂ emissions, with cement production yielding 0.69 t CO₂ per tonne of clinker, while planned deployment of 61 GWₚ photovoltaic capacity in the Java–Bali grid is projected to yield approximately 19 TWh yr⁻¹ of curtailed surplus electricity by the early 2030s. This study evaluates the integrated techno-economic and environmental feasibility of a Modular Microbial Electrosynthesis System (M-MES) that co-valorises industrial CO₂ and curtailed photovoltaic electricity using gas diffusion electrode (GDE) biocathodes colonised by Clostridium ljungdahlii. A 20-year discounted cash flow (DCF) model and a life cycle assessment (LCA) conforming to ISO 14040/14044, employing the ReCiPe 2016 Midpoint (H) methodology, were applied in parallel to a 100 m³ demonstration-scale configuration. At 78% Coulombic efficiency and a specific energy consumption of 3.4 kWh kg⁻¹ acetate-equivalent, the system achieves commercially meaningful product yields with an internal rate of return of 20.25% and a discounted payback period of 7.9 years at a weighted average cost of capital of 10%, contingent on access to curtailed renewable electricity at its marginal cost. The net carbon intensity under photovoltaic supply is −0.78 ± 0.14 t CO₂-eq t⁻¹ product, representing a 152% absolute improvement over the Monsanto/Cativa methanol carbonylation reference; however, substitution with average Indonesian grid electricity reverses this outcome to +1.60 t CO₂-eq t⁻¹. LCA hotspot analysis identifies IrO₂ anode fabrication and Nafion 117 membrane production as the dominant contributors across terrestrial acidification, fossil resource scarcity, and human toxicity categories, collectively accounting for 47.6% of total capital expenditure. These findings establish renewable electricity access and materials innovation as jointly necessary conditions for the commercial and environmental viability of M-MES-based carbon capture and utilisation in Indonesia.
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Keywords: microbial electrosynthesis; gas diffusion electrode; techno-economic analysis; life cycle assessment; carbon capture and utilisation

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Section: Research Articles
Language : EN
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