MEDAN – USU’s Public Relation: Currently, conventional power plants using fossil fuels (non-renewable) such as fuel oil and coal have become increasingly limited. Therefore, a massive breakthrough is needed to utilize new renewable energy and overcome this problem.
This was stated by Ir. Terklin Sinulingga, M.M., Senior Manager of HVDC General Electric, as one of the speakers in the 2019 National Seminar on New and Renewable Energy. The seminar themed “Strategy and Implementation in Achieving the Target of 23% NRE” took place in the Academic Senate Room on the 3rd floor of the Main Administration Building, Medan on Tuesday (30/07/2019)
Before officially opening the seminar, USU’s Rector Prof. Dr. Runtung Sitepu, S.H., M.Hum said that the theme raised in this seminar is crucial, given that currently the government is actively carrying out efforts to utilize new and renewable energy where USU will take part.
The seminar was sponsored by the Electrical Engineering Alumni Association (EEAA) and PT Elrei Dasera Nusantara in collaboration with Universitas Sumatera Utara through the Department of Electrical Engineering (DEE) and the Electrical Engineering Student Association (EESA). The forum, which was flooded by USU Electrical Engineering Students, also presented the Head of Sub-Directorate for Engineering and Bioenergy Environment, Director General of EBTKE Effendi Manurung, S.T., M.T, Chief of Party USAID Indonesia Clean Energy Development (ICED) II Bill Meade, Vice President of New and Renewable Energy PT PLN (Persero) Rusdi Karim, and Director of PT Waskita Sangir Energi Hokkop Situngkir.
As the chair of EEAA, Ikhsan said that the seminar is meant to fulfill one of the pillars of the Tridharma of Higher Education as a scientific institution in collaboration with the USU Electrical Engineering Alumni Association. At the same time, it also answers the hopes of the Government and The House of Representatives of Indonesia in achieving the new and renewable energy (NRE) power plant target of 23% by 2025.
Furthermore, Ir. Terklin explained, the new and renewable energy (NRE) power plants are future-proof and excellent as they are environmentally friendly. They provide a major contribution to reducing the effect of greenhouse gas emissions. Among all the potential renewable energy power plants, wind power plants (WPS) and solar power plants (SPP) are the fastest-growing energy sources in the last decade.
PT EDN is a company engaged in the consulting sector and was built by several Electrical Engineering Alumni of ‘81 and ’82.
“PT EDN is currently entering its third year of establishment. We provide opportunities for young alumni to develop their potential, as well as educate them to possess great leadership and teamwork,” said the director of PT END, Pit Darnis Sahar, S.T, during the event.
Terklin further explained that the global increase of conventional and new and renewable energy (NRE) power plant prices which have started mass-production has made the Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) of NRE generators increasingly competitive/cheap.
“European countries have targeted NRE construction to reach 20% by 2020. The Indonesian government’s target is 23% by 2025” said Ir. Terklin.
He explained that long-distance, inter-island electricity distribution, and intermittent (non-continuous) solar and wind power plants require a stable electrical interconnection to ensure the reliable distribution of electrical power. (PR)