The unlimited potential of Renewable Energy in Indonesia is certainly an important point in supporting the Energy Transition. Therefore, the utilization of this potential must be encouraged. Schneider Electric (SE) is one of the companies in Indonesia that supports the energy transition.
Currently, SE Indonesia has 2 factories and 1 warehouse. The commitment and spirit of Net Zero continue to be carried out by the company in all aspects, such as the use of solar panels. However, it turns out that one of SE’s factories, namely in Batam, cannot utilize solar panels. Of course, this is a challenge for SE. Apart from these challenges, SE also has an effort to solve the problem of access to electricity in 3T areas.
Departing from this problem, three 2021 students of the Department of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia (DTI FTUI) who are members of the Menanginae Team consist of Christ Ivan Hasudungan Simanjuntak, Nabil Ahmad Zaky, and Wildan Alvin Salis and are also mentored by DTI FTUI Lecturers, namely Dr. Andri D. Setiawan, ST, M.Sc., and Dr. Armand Omar Moeis, ST, M.Sc., analyzed the main problems of SE, namely the limited procedures for factories in Batam to install rooftop solar power plants, the need for alternative renewable energy, and products that are suitable for overcoming limited electricity supply in 3T areas.
The Menanginae team initiated ideas and solutions entitled “Factory and Warehouse Optimization and Electrification Strategy in 3T Indonesia”. Ivan as a member of the Menanginae Team said that there were main solutions provided, namely the construction of solar power plants in the Duriangkang Reservoir and the Focused Electrification Strategy. With this analysis and strategic solution, it is hoped that it can help the problems faced by SE Indonesia. This solution can be the basis for the company to continue to be able to carry out its vision of prioritizing renewable energy and contributing more to Indonesia for equitable energy access.
Ivan also added, “After conducting the analysis, the Wininae Team proposed a solution to build a Floating Solar Power Plant in the Duriangkang Reservoir area with a capacity specification of 2,941 kWp to produce 3.64 GWh per year, to support the operational needs of the Schneider Batam factory and warehouse. In its implementation, we pay attention to social, environmental and economic aspects.”
To become an alternative to renewable energy needs and overcome electricity supply in 3T areas in Indonesia, products from SE, namely Schneider Homaya, are the right choice to become an alternative solution for residents to achieve electrification above 97.5% which will increase productivity and quality of life of local communities. With the solutions that have been provided, it is hoped that Schneider can penetrate Indonesian market.
The Dean of FTUI, Prof. Dr. Heri Hermansyah, S.T., M.Eng., IPU, expressed his best appreciation for the innovative ideas of DTMM FTUI students. “The initiation of ideas and solutions provided by the team from DTI FTUI is very supportive of progress efforts for the energy transition in Indonesia. Through the optimization of SE companies as companies that support the energy transition and the strategies provided by SE in its products for electrification in 3T areas, it is expected to be full support in the progress of sustainable development,” he said.
The initiation of ideas and strategies proposed by Tim Menanginae is a contribution to the achievement of sustainable development goals that have been launched by various countries in the world through the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially point 7, in terms of affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern clean energy.
Thanks to the initiation of this idea, the Menanginae Team succeeded in winning 2nd place in the Futurest Business Case Competition (FBCC) 2023, organized by the Society of Renewable Energy at the Sepuluh November Institute of Technology (SRE ITS). This competition is an annual competition attended by approximately 1000 participants from various universities in Indonesia.
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Public Communication Bureau
Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia