UGM students, again, participate in an international conference. Anggit Priadmodjo and Nailu Rahman, students of Regional Development Department, Faculty of Geography, passed the selection to attend an international conference entitled Renewable Energy Conference (Renews) 2010. The conference discussing various issues of energy in Indonesia and the solution will take place in Berlin, Germany, 12-13 October 2010.
Renews 2010 was initiated by the Indonesian Students Association (PPI), Germany, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Indonesian Embassy in Germany, and the International Association of Indonesian Scientists. This activity is intended to facilitate, communicate, and disseminate knowledge of hydrocarbon and renewable energy potential between Indonesia and Germany.
Anggit and Nailu successfully passed the selection along with 28 other participants. They are elected to follow the conference which raises the topic Hydrocarbon and Renewable Energy. They will also present their papers.
Being met at the Faculty on Wednesday (6/10), Anggit conveyed that he passed the selection for the paper which discusses the utilization of organic waste as raw material for bio-ethanol. The writing of paper was based on the concern over use of food as raw material for bio-ethanol, which is currently happening, can cause food crisis. Actually, there is some material that has great potential to be used as raw material for bio-ethanol (organic waste). "The organic wastes, such as rotten fruit, through a series of processes can be converted into bio-ethanol, which can then be used as an alternative fuel," he explained.
Meanwhile, Nailu Rahman, in his paper highlights the challenges and opportunities in creating energy resilience in Indonesia. He mentioned that up to now the paradigm which is used relating to national energy policy is supply side policy, i.e. policy that focuses on the availability of national energy supply by increasing the capacity of the production and exploration of energy sources. "The paradigm of energy policy has now shifted to the concept of demand side policy," he said.
They have made various preparations before their departure to Germany. They routinely practice for the presentation and deepen the material that will be submitted later. Anggit and Nailu are also looking for sponsors. Faculty of Geography and Competitive Scholarship Assistance Program of the Bureau of Planning and Foreign Cooperation, Ministry of National Education now support their travel to Germany financially. "There has been no response from the university up to now, but we do hope that the University will support us," they expected.