On Friday, (13/5), KAGATRIK, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia (FTUI) again held a series of LSK Gatrik UI webinars. For this webinar, Ichsan, ST., B.Sc.(Hons), M.Sc., PDEng., a practitioner, lecturer, and mentor of renewable energy were presented to discuss the theme “Renewable Energy for Off-Grid Applications”.
On Grid is a term to refer to a Solar Power Generation system (PLTS) which functions to convert energy from solar heat into electrical energy. While the Off Grid system is a system that relies on solar energy as the only energy source. So different from the on-grid type, this type is not synchronized with PLN electricity. Usually as a backup, powered by a generator or battery to store energy. These two systems are one of the most effective solutions for electricity cost efficiency because they can significantly save on monthly electricity costs.
Electricity sourced from renewable energy will help consumers save expenses and have a positive impact on the earth. Through this webinar, it is hoped that it will increase consumer insight regarding renewable energy for Off-Grid Applications. The Energy Transition through the application of Off-Grid Applications is one of the focuses of the Indonesian government in overcoming environmental damage caused by global warming.
“Now, our environment has a challenge in the form of depletion of the ozone layer. This is a challenge for power plants to capture Co2. Carbon emissions also have an impact on public health, namely the health of the lungs, brain, esophagus, and stomach which also decreases. Not only that, the shadow of food scarcity will be a dangerous threat to society in the future. This arises from the destruction of the soil due to the use of chemical fertilizers. The fertilizer removes many phosphorus-producing microbes and phosphorus plays an important role in plant growth. Therefore, the Government of Indonesia has committed to accelerating the transition of New and Renewable Energy (EBT) by 235 by 2025. Currently, NRE utilization has reached 11.7% of the total energy mix, “said Ichsan, ST, BSc(Hons), MSc, PDEng .
Economically, the construction of the Off-Grid system cannot be implemented by PLN. PLN has two responsibilities in its service, namely providing income for the state and serving the community. Currently, PLN also has debt. If the construction of the Off-Grid system occurs in the near future, this will disrupt PLN’s cash flow. This is a gap for the private sector or other organizations to build an Off-Grid system in rural areas or other areas that have not yet joined the flow of PLN.
Met on a separate occasion, the Dean of FTUI, Prof. Dr. Heri Hermansyah, ST., M.Eng., IPU said, “The application of off-grid systems in rural areas can be in the form of Smart Farming, Smart Fishery, Green Mining, Green Data Center, Floating Livestock, and Rehabilitation of Industrial Friends. Utilization of solar power and the use of IoT and sensors are the determinants of these activities. This will help rural areas or other areas that are currently not covered by on-grid PLN services.”
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Public Communication Bureau
Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia