Scarcity of fossil fuels has prompted many countries, including Indonesia, to use renewable energy.
Expert of Renewable Energy Systems and Planning from UGM, Ahmad Agus Setiawan, S.T., M.Sc., Ph.D., mentioned that Indonesia, particularly Eastern Indonesia, is a country with the potential of various renewable energy sources. This area has many potentials of renewable energy that can be utilized to generate electricity in remote areas.
The lecturer of Department of Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics stated that the government is intensely reinforcing the development of renewable energy in Eastern Indonesia. A number of partnerships with both domestic and foreign partners are formed to set up renewable energy in the region.
“One of partners is the Australian Government through the Australia Awards Short Course on Renewable Energy Technologies and Policy 2018,” said the awardee of Australian Alumni Award 2011 for Sustainable Economic and Social Development.
The event was joined by 28 renewable energy agents in Eastern Indonesia, previously selected from 2,000 applicants. They had the chance to join in three stages of workshop and an award project, also the Pre-Award Workshop from 7-8 May, 2018, in Makassar. The Pre-Award Workshop was a preparation for participants before departure to Australia for the two-week short course at Griffith University, Brisbane and Canberra in August 2018.
The event was also joined by an alumna of the Department, Dita Anggraini, as one of the representatives from Bali. On that occasion, Agus also became a co-course designer along with 2 experts from Griffith University in the Pre-Course Award in Makassar. Agus is also a research collaborator in the consortium of Australia-Indonesia Center on Renewable Energy.
In the three-day event, all participants learned about technology and policies regarding the renewable energy in Australia and Indonesia, along with Australian Consul General in Makassar, Richard Mathews. Participants were also given the chance to join a discussion session with other energy practitioners from various regions and sectors and to present the Award Project that will be performed after completing this program.
In addition, participants went on a visit to Jeneponto Regency, South Sulawesi. Jeneponto Regency is a prototype district of renewable energy in Sulawesi and it is currently making policies that encourage investment in renewable energy. The visit proceeded with a trip to Tolo Wind Power Plant located in Jenepoto Regency.
The program is one type of partnerships between the Australian and Indonesian governments as a support for renewable energy development in Indonesia, particularly in the Eastern Indonesia region. Participation from UGM also showed that UGM is ready to foster experts and the next generation of renewable energy in Indonesia.