Govt Eyes on Pantar Straits to Generate Electricity
MINISTRY OF ENERGY AND MINERAL RESOURCES
REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA
PRESS RELEASE
NUMBER: 307.Pers/04/SJI/2020
Date: 20 October 2020
Govt Eyes on Pantar Straits to Generate Electricity
A team from the Center for Marine Geology Research and Development ("P3GL") of the Research and Development Agency of Energy and Mineral Resources (EMR) is conducting research in a series of pre-feasibility study (pre-FS) for the utilization of ocean currents for electricity generation in Pantar Strait, East Nusa Tenggara. The team has completed downloading of (temporary) data on current speed from an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) tool to get the data on current speed for 30 days.
The waters in Pantar Strait is known as one of the locations with quite high potential for ocean energy. Based on P3GL's research in 2011, the strait has quite strong currents, at about 2 m/s, so that it has the potential to be developed into an electricity source.
Pantar Strait has been selected because it is located outside Java Island, which is in line with the priority program set by the National Development Planning Agency (BAPPENAS) for 2020-2024.
The research results are expected to be used by the national and regional governments, Directorate General of New, Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation; PT PLN; Center for Research and Development of Technologies for Electricity, New, Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation; Independent Power Producers (IPP), and other relevant agencies in the effort to utilize new, renewable energy, particularly that of ocean current energy.
The research results are also expected to support the implementation of the National Medium Term Development Plan (RPJMN) of 2020-2024 for the priority activity of the energy sector, especially for the utilization of new, renewable energy from the oceans. This study is also expected to support the realization of the 23% target in new, renewable energy mix by 2025 through the research on the potential and technologies to utilize ocean current energy.
In 2016, P3GL processed the data on current speed in a number of potential straits in Indonesia. Strong ocean currents are generally found in the waters around Bali, West Nusa Tenggara, and East Nusa Tenggara.
Current speed ranges between 0.6 m/s and 3.5 m/s. Currents stronger than 2m/s are found in Pantar Strait, Lombok, Toyapakeh, Larantuka, Alas, Molo, Sunda, and Boleng. In general, Indonesian waters have semidiurnal tides, meaning there are two high and two low tides per day.
Data acquisition in this survey refers to the 2009 European Marine Energy Center standards. The secondary data in this research includes tide data; geological, topographic, and bathymetry maps; and various data from previous research as well as various agencies.
The secondary data serve as the initial reference to understand the condition of the research area so that it is easier to plan and carry out field activities.
The team had also conducted the so-called "Recognize" activity before field activities were carried out to get an overview of the condition of the existing facilities and infrastructure. Field activities have been focused on studying the speed of the ocean currents for one month.
The field activities include deciding the position of measurement coordinates and the leveling of coordinate position against the benchmark (BM); measuring currents, sea level elevation, and seabed depth; and observing maritime meteorology.
Tide research was carried out for a month to obtain tide data (spring and neap tides). Electronic recording has used the Valeport TideLog Model 740 Portable Water Level Recorder which is controlled by hourly visual reading of tide signs.
BM (benchmark) leveling has used Waterpass tool, while measurement of BM coordinates has used GPS (Global Positioning System). The BM leveling is aimed to obtain the height of BM against the Mean Sea Level (MSL).
Measurement of currents aims to discover current patterns in the study area. Current patterns are closely related to the potential for electrical energy that can be generated from the current energy. Current measurement has been made in both mobile and stationary condition, using an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) equipment. Meanwhile, observation of maritime meteorology has used a Weather Station to find out meteorological parameters such as wind direction and speed, air temperature, and humidity.
In the final stage, the researchers will process the data from the research. They will make models of current speed distribution, calculate the potential for ocean energy, interpret the modeling results, and analyze processed data. (IY)
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