Sustainable Energy Generation From Organic Substrates Using Portable Microbial Fuel Cells: Enhancing Precision Agriculture in Rural Regions of Malaysia

ABSTRACT The imperative shift toward renewable energy sources is driven by escalating climate change concerns and the depletion of fossil fuels. Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) present a promising solution by converting organic matter into electricity through microbial metabolism. This study aims to develop a portable MFC capable of powering soil moisture sensors to enhance sustainable agricultural practices in remote regions of Malaysia. Cow manure and human waste were employed as substrates due to their high organic content and microbial diversity, which emphasises their potential in sustainable energy generation. Carbon sheet electrodes of varying sizes (7 cm × 5 cm and 3 cm × 5 cm) were tested to optimise electrochemical performance. Experimental results demonstrated that MFCs utilising cow manure with smaller electrodes (3 cm × 5 cm) exhibited superior performance, achieving an initial open‐circuit voltage of 0.495 V and stabilising at approximately 0.314 V after 120 h. The peak power density reached 5207 μW/m 2 , significantly outperforming the human waste MFCs. The enhanced performance is attributed to the effective substrate degradation and efficient electron transfer facilitated by the cow manure substrate and optimised electrode surface area. While a single MFC unit does not generate sufficient current to directly power standard soil moisture sensors, strategic improvements such as increasing electrode dimensions, optimising chamber volume, and incorporating energy storage and voltage boosting circuits can render the system practical. This work underscores the potential of MFC technology in addressing energy scarcity in rural agricultural regions, aligning with global efforts toward renewable energy adoption and sustainable waste management. Future advancements in MFC design and integration hold promise for broader applicability in precision agriculture and beyond.