Field Survey to Sumba Island, GCRF Project Kickoff Meeting, and Bandung Energy Sustainability Symposium
On October 20, 2018, RDI and the Leeds team embarked on an initial survey in various locations within East Sumba. The team was comprised of Dr. Cheng, Elisabeth Rianawati, Dr. Yuti Ariani, and Alberdi Aris. Their journey took them to four remote villages spread across East Sumba: Kamanggih in Kahunggu Eti, Luku Wingir, Maubokul, and Rindi.
During these visits, the team engaged in productive discussions with local stakeholders, focusing on the topic of micro-grid systems utilizing various resources. It's worth noting that this wasn't RDI's first visit to Sumba Island. Previous visits centered on similar research themes; however, this trip offered a deeper understanding of micro-grid development.
By conversing with stakeholders at both the village and district levels, the team gathered valuable insights into the challenges and lessons learned, particularly regarding renewable energy development with a centralized approach. It is the hope that these experiences, along with future visits, will enable the team to provide more comprehensive and refined recommendations for renewable energy development, not only for Sumba Island but also for Indonesia as a whole.
Additionally, on October 26, 2018, a kickoff meeting for the Sumba Minigrid project was held in conjunction with the Bandung Energy Sustainability Symposium. This symposium featured five lectures presented by Dr. Yudha Prambudia, Dr. Saut Sagala, Dr. Yuti Ariani, Dr. Aldi Hutagalung, and Dr. Cheng Wen from the University of Leeds, covering diverse backgrounds and perspectives on energy sustainability.
