Dr. Eng. Tri Sesilia Safril is an electrical engineer, project management professional, and renewable energy specialist with extensive expertise in waste-to-energy (WtE), integrated waste management, renewable energy systems, hydrothermal and pyrolysis technologies, infrastructure planning, and sustainable project development. As Executive Director of the Center of Waste Management Indonesia (CWMI), she leads multidisciplinary initiatives that integrate engineering innovation, sustainability, and strategic stakeholder collaboration to accelerate Indonesia's transition toward a circular economy.
With more than ten years of professional experience, Dr. Tri has successfully managed complex infrastructure and environmental projects across Indonesia and Southeast Asia. Her expertise spans the entire project lifecycle—from feasibility studies, master planning, engineering design, project execution, commissioning, and operational management to policy advisory and stakeholder engagement.
She earned her Doctor of Engineering (Dr. Eng.) in Transdisciplinary Science and Engineering from the Institute of Science Tokyo (formerly Tokyo Institute of Technology), Japan, where her research focused on sustainable engineering and interdisciplinary approaches to environmental challenges. She also holds a Master of Engineering in Electrical Power Engineering from the University of Indonesia and a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical Power Engineering from Sriwijaya University.
Throughout her career, Dr. Tri has played a key role in developing and implementing innovative waste-to-energy infrastructure, particularly in the fields of hydrothermal treatment, pyrolysis, refuse-derived fuel (RDF), biomass utilization, and renewable energy integration. She has led numerous feasibility studies and infrastructure planning projects for municipalities, industrial estates, and strategic national development initiatives, contributing to the advancement of sustainable waste management systems in Indonesia.
One of her notable contributions has been leading the planning, commissioning, and operational management of Indonesia's pioneering commercial hydrothermal waste-to-energy facility at Summarecon Serpong, which converts municipal solid waste into refuse-derived fuel (RDF) and organic fertilizer. She has also led the development of community-scale plastic-to-oil pyrolysis systems, demonstrating practical solutions for decentralized plastic waste management and resource recovery.
In addition to project implementation, she actively contributes to policy development, strategic planning, and technical advisory services related to sustainable infrastructure, environmental technology, and energy transition. Her interdisciplinary background allows her to bridge engineering innovation with practical implementation, ensuring that projects deliver measurable environmental, economic, and social benefits.
Dr. Tri is committed to advancing innovative technologies that transform waste into valuable resources while supporting climate action, energy security, and sustainable urban development. Through her leadership, she continues to promote integrated solutions that combine engineering excellence, environmental stewardship, and collaborative partnerships to build resilient and future-ready communities.
Areas of Expertise
- Waste-to-Energy (WtE)
- Hydrothermal Treatment Technology
- Pyrolysis Technology
- Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF)
- Renewable Energy Systems
- Integrated Waste Management
- Infrastructure Planning
- Feasibility Studies
- Project Management
- Circular Economy
- ESG & Sustainability
- Biomass Energy
- Environmental Engineering
- Energy Transition
- Stakeholder Engagement
Research Interests
- Hydrothermal Waste-to-Energy Systems
- Pyrolysis for Plastic and Biomass Conversion
- Circular Economy Implementation
- Renewable Energy Integration
- Municipal Solid Waste Management
- Sustainable Infrastructure Development
- Resource Recovery Technologies
- Environmental Policy and Planning
- Climate Change Mitigation
- ESG and Sustainable Development
Professional Vision
"To deliver impactful engineering solutions that integrate renewable energy, waste management, and sustainable infrastructure—creating resilient communities and accelerating the transition toward a circular and low-carbon future."