Many people seem to give less attention to efforts in fulfilling electricity needs in coastal areas. However, a researcher of UGM Center for Energy Studies, Drs. Sudiarto, MS, is one of people who cares about the issue. For almost three years, he has attempted to solve this problem by creating a prototype of electrical generator producing 200 watts to 500 watts.
Sudiarto’s interest to make this machine due to electrification ratio in the country is only by 57 percent, while there is still 43 percent of Indonesian citizens have not enjoyed electricity. Meanwhile, hoping the State Electricity Company (PLN) to distribute electrical energy to the whole areas takes time and considerable expense. "It is also related to infrastructure. Moreover, the electricity is for remote areas," Sudiarto said on campus on Friday (15/4).
Therefore, the generator prototype by utilizing renewable energy sources such as wind and solar energy is expected to generate electricity by 200 watts to 500 watts. "My focus is how to empower skilled workers in coastal areas such as in Bantul and Gunungkidul. The prototype is ready and is developed further," Sudiartono said, who also serves as Deputy Head of Centre for Energy Studies of UGM.
Some works have been carried out by the lecturer of Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, UGM, in order to meet the need of electrical energy in remote areas. He concluded that Wind Power Plant (PLTB) which he produced with a generator prototype engine is slightly better than solar panels. Through the installation of solar panels as source of electrical energy, it only meets the power needs of the community by 50 watts. It can only be used for lamps with three 10 watt-lamps per unit.
This condition is certainly different from the generator-prototype of PLTB that produces 200 watts. With greater power it will not only light the lamp, but also for ironing and television.
Sudiarto actually has been doing the research about low RPM generator for long time. Even since year 2009 with his personal pocket money, he had started this job. Fortunately in 2011, this work received funding support from Program of Institution-based Competence Grant (PHK-I) after the proposal passed the selection.
In making this tool, he also did not work alone. He did not hesitate to invite many skilled workers with expertise in the field of dynamo and welding. "I did take advantage of mechanics of dynamo and power welding of workshops in Bantul and Gunungkidul. Thereby, their small business can exist and it seems they are also happy to get this order," Sudiarto explained.
Sudiarto said low RPM generator for this PTLB is one hundred percent made of local materials. So, he is not so concerned with maintenance. "The price is very affordable with the use of parts that can be obtained at local markets in Jakarta, Surabaya and Semarang," he said.
In the process of workmanship, Sudiarto is very amazed with perseverance and diligence of the technicians. Although with only minimal formal education, the technicians were diligently working on welding and rolling copper wire to make the motor coil. "I appreciate their perseverance to able to roll up hundreds of copper wire to create a motor dynamo," Sudiarto said.
Therefore, through generators that use wind and solar energy, Sudiartono hoped in the next three years small and medium industries could be built in coastal areas such as Bantul and Gunungkidul. With much wind and solar energy sources in Indonesia, the more electrical energy can be generated.
Electrical energy from the generator will be used to turn the sewing machine. "So, it is not only for lighting, television and radio. Of course, this will drive the small and medium industries in coastal areas, riverbanks and remote areas," he expressed his hope.