One of Professor Chair Holders of IPB Utilizes Movement of Seawaters to Generate Electricity
The Indonesia archipelago is surrounded by two ocean and several seas. The movement of water in those oceans creates a vast store of kinetic energy, or energy in motion. This energy can be harnessed to generate electricity to power homes, transport and industries. Ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) uses the temperature difference between cooler deep and warmer shallow or surface seawaters to run a heat engine and produce useful work, usually in the form of electricity. The most developed conversion systems refer to tidal energy, marine currents and waves.
This was stated by one of the Professor Chair Holders of the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, Bogor Agricultural University (FPIK IPB), Prof.Dr. Mulia Purba, in his press conference pre oration at Campus IPB, Baranangsiang, Bogor, on 17 March 2016. Prof Mulia Purba had presented his scientific oration on Saturday, 19 March 2016, at Dramaga Campus, Bogor.
"The oceans are in ceaseless motion, tides and waves, they are parameter of motion water. It is not necessary for People to cause the motion of water. Movement is kinetic energy, and we need to convert that into electricity, "he said.
Prof. Purba pointed out, the construction of the largest tidal power plants (Pembangkit Lstrik Tenaga Pasang Surut – PLTPS) in the world with a capacity of 254 MW at Sihwa lake, South Korea (Sihwa Lake Tidal Power). The construction of the Sihwa tidal barrage power plant (TBPP) was completed in 2011 and its operation started in August, it utilises a 12.5km long seawall constructed in 1994 for flood mitigation and agricultural purposes. Indonesia is still extremely behind in the development such a huge huge project, particularly due to the limited investment funds.
"To use the resources and sea environment available is really expensive, Indonesia is committed to invest huge funds, to conduct research and development program, especially investment for the development of the instrument. I am confident we will enjoy the result of our investment in the future, hopefully, "he said. (Wied)
