Students from the Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia (FTUI), have once again demonstrated their excellence by securing first place at the prestigious Ocean Engineering Exhibition and Competition (OCEANO) 2024. This annual competition, organized by the Department of Ocean Engineering at Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) in Surabaya, East Java, featured 101 teams from 45 universities across Indonesia.
UI sent two teams—JNS and D’Breeze—to compete in the Paper Competition and Renewable Energy Case Study Competition categories. Both teams impressively achieved first place, showcasing extraordinary innovations relevant to sustainability and renewable energy.
AODOP: An Innovative Solution for a Sustainable Future
The JNS team, consisting of Jennifer Batami (2022), Nadhif Rafif (2022), and Syafira Dewi (2022) from the Chemical Engineering program, developed a project titled Alkalinity Ocean to Drive Osmotic Power (AODOP). This project integrates two cutting-edge technologies:
- Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement (OAE): This technology reduces atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) by adding calcium carbonate compounds to the ocean, enhancing its ability to absorb and decompose CO₂.
- Pressure Retarded Osmosis (PRO): By utilizing the salinity gradient between high-alkalinity seawater and freshwater, this technology generates renewable energy through turbines.
“The integration of these two technologies in the AODOP innovation creates a multifunctional solution: reducing CO₂ concentrations in the ocean and atmosphere while simultaneously producing clean and sustainable energy. AODOP supports the global vision of achieving net-zero emissions by 2060 and aligns with the blue economy’s principles of responsible ocean utilization,” explained Jennifer on behalf of her team.
Transforming Offshore Oil Platforms into Renewable Energy Hubs
The D’Breeze team, comprising Naufal Fadhil Rahman (2023), Amanda Yasyfa’ Salsabila (2023), and Alifaid Muhammad Bailusy (2023) from the Chemical Engineering and Industrial Engineering programs, proposed a project titled Environmental and Economic Potentials of Using Fixed Offshore Platforms for Hybrid Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) and Wind Turbine: A Case Study in Makassar Strait.
This project focuses on repurposing decommissioned offshore oil and gas platforms in the Makassar Strait into environmentally friendly power plants. It integrates Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) technology with wind turbines and solar collectors to create a hybrid energy solution.
“We demonstrated that a hybrid OTEC system can be optimally applied to decommissioned offshore oil platforms in the Makassar Strait at a depth of 47.85 meters. Our calculations show that this power generation system can produce a net output of up to 28.60 MW. This highlights the significant potential of renewable energy solutions and their feasibility for offshore platforms across Indonesian waters. This project also supports Indonesia’s vision of achieving Net Zero Emissions by 2060 or earlier,” stated Naufal on behalf of his team.
FTUI Dean, Prof. Dr. Ir. Heri Hermansyah, S.T., M.Eng., IPU, praised the UI students’ achievements at this prestigious competition. “The success of UI students at OCEANO 2024 is a testament to their innovative spirit and resilience. These projects not only demonstrate technical excellence but also contribute meaningfully to addressing global challenges such as climate change and energy transition. This achievement reflects FTUI’s commitment to nurturing future leaders who can drive positive change both nationally and internationally,” said Prof. Heri.
Paving the Way for a Sustainable Future
OCEANO 2024 highlights the ability of young engineers to lead innovative projects with real-world applications. From AODOP’s multifunctional solution for CO₂ decomposition and renewable energy production to D’Breeze’s transformation of offshore platforms into clean energy sources, UI students have set a new standard of excellence.
This achievement further solidifies Universitas Indonesia’s position as a hub of innovation and excellence, preparing its students to tackle global challenges with sustainable solutions.
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Public Communication Office
Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia
