Utilizing
Renewable Energy:
What Can We Do?
Our concern about the
future of energy has answered by a training on Renewable Energy with a theme
"Utilizing Renewable Energy: What Can We Do?". Although the training occurred
in a short time, from 17 – 19 June 2016 at Wisma Salam, Magelang, it proved to
ignite participants’ curiosity and awareness toward energy issues.
Leni, a student from
Papua, majoring in accounting, said that in the beginning of training, she did
not understand and confused what renewable energy is, but after joining the
three days process, she realized that energy cannot be separated from human
life and even everyone should understand and take action to this energy
problem.
The importance of
learning renewable energy
The first day, participants
are invited to learn the importance of learning renewable energy. Executive
Director of Stube-HEMAT, Ariani Narwastujati, S.Pd., S.S, M.Pd., provided an
understanding of the basic concepts of global energy using mapping and
electrification ratio. Renewable energy is the answer of equitable development,
and the electricity needs in remote area could be supplied by renewable energy
such as solar power, bio-gas, hydro power, wind and so on. In addition, beside
the electrification ratio, the participants were introduced to a traditional
energy source, such as briquettes, charcoals derived from organic wastes.
The magnet of renewable
energy
In the second day,
participants learned the history of the energy dependency of Indonesia
presented by Silverio R.L. Aji Santoso, a History lecturer of Sanata Dharma
University. "In fact, this topic has not been examined by Indonesian
historia. Indonesia has been familiar with oil since the era of Sriwijaya. Indonesia was in a heyday as an oil-exporter
country before 1969, when Suharto opened foreign investors. The greedy drilling
of energy sources allegedly accelerate the depletion of oil and gas reserves of
Indonesia," he said.
"The renewable
energy is not solely the domain of engineering students," said Irawan,
from the Center for Energy Studies, Gadjah Mada University. "During this
time proved that ordinary people in rural area were able to optimize the
potency of renewable energy in their region. All sciences must work together in
the Micro-hydro Power Plant (MHPP)", he explained further. He added,
"If you want to build a renewable energy power plant, you must know the
real potency of the region, do not make a conclusion based on one-day visit. As
an example, there is a student that had a vacation to a beach and he stated
that the wind is potential to produce electricity, without concerning the wind
continuity in the long term". The session became more interesting because
participants learn various types of power plants, functions and how to maintain
the installations.
The training continued by
visiting locations which implement renewable energy, such as Sukunan village
and Micro-hydro Power Plant at Minggir. At Sukunan participants learn how to
build biogas installation and make briquettes. Harto, the facilitator in Sukunan
explained that it needed joint commitment among the villagers in order to
establish an energy in-dependency village. It is rather hard to build an energy
independence village in Indonesia, because we feel as a rich country and be
spoiled by the nature provision.
In MHPP Minggir
participants were invited to understand the performance of equipment from
Japan. MHPP utilizes water irrigation to propel turbines. "This simple
thing can be done in our villages but the expensive equipment and maintenance
cause problem", said Darno, a field staff of MHPP Minggir.
Sharing session,
Ricky Ryawan PL, is an
activist of Stube-HEMAT Yogyakarta who had worked in Palu steam power plant for
three years, added the participants’ horizon about the current problem occurred
both inside and outside of power plant company. Good management will bring
positive effect to the field. He emphasized, "We, as young people, should
have a high work ethic and the ability as a 'problem solver,' because many
unexpected problems may arise any time, such as facing residents around the
company that sometimes it is not easy".
What to Do?
After following the
Sunday sermon, a session of analyzing energy policy was conveyed by Ahmad Rahma
Wardhana (PSE UGM). He opened participants’ mind to understand the policy of
renewable energy, such as the national electricity company (PLN) will pay for
the electricity produced by citizens. The price of renewable energy power will
be higher than the conventional one, also the imported equipment will encumber
the capital and maintenance cost. What young people can do is influencing
policy to be more pro renewable energy.
The follow-up session
challenged participants to think and do something related with energy. Some
participants are encouraged to share their knowledge gained from the training,
making briquettes and energy-saving campaign for people’s daily life.
Hopefully, this tiny
light enlighten heart and move hands to do something. Let us do simple actions!
(SRB).
Comments
Post a Comment