Bandung Energy Mini Symposium

Last Friday, 22^nd March 2019, the RDI team organised a guest lecture/ workshop as part of the ongoing project on "Creating Resilient Sustainable Minigrids through Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems" in collaboration with the University of Widyatama. The project, receiving funding from Royal Society and UKaid aims to develop and deploy a sustainable and resilient mini-grid system which is compatible with the need of the community. In which RDI conducted survey in Sumba Island to assess the socio-economic factors surrounding the implementation of the minigrid systems. The results of the socio-economic survey will then be distributed to our partners in Leeds University and Creec University Tanzania for further development and implementation of the minigrid system in places other than Sumba Island.

At the event, five guest speakers from various backgrounds and countries presented their research on renewable energy systems. The meeting was moderated by an RDI team member and current interns from Australia, Indonesia and the Netherlands and two (other employees from the University?) were present as audience. First to present was Dr Consalva Joseph Msigwa from DarEs Salaam Institute of Technology (Tanzania). Dr Consalva presented her current research and available results on a project called "Renewable Energy Penetration in Rural Africa (case of Tanzania)" the project is conducted in liaison with researchers from the Establishment of Renewable Energy Technology Center (RETC). The idea behind the project is to provide access to energy to communities in rural areas via alternative energy sources. An example of this, and a research focus of Dr. Consalva includes: Solar Treatment of Biomass for Power Generation using Carbon Slurries in Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems. This project was conducted by Africa Clean Energy Research Alliance (ACERA) consortium. Other examples of renewable energy systems used in Tanzania include Micro Hydro Power, gasification and diesel power plant. Following this presentation, PhD student Mwaka I. Juma (supervised by Dr Consalva) presented her research on developing a Micro Grid model for Scalable Hybrid Renewable Energy Power Generation. This research mainly aims to improve the energy controller/ adapter to reduce response time due to step load changes. The proposed controller by Mwaka better regulates the output of renewable energy systems.

Moving on, Anita Juraida presented on the Biogas Potential from Slaughterhouses to Improve Energy Security. This in response to a growing population and paired increased demand for electricity, while also realising that the fossil fuels (that now dominantly provide electricity for Indonesian households) are finishing. Results of Anita's research concluded that biogas production from slaughterhouses can accommodate electricity needs of 16.2% (all sectors) in Bandung. Changing from sources of renewable energy systems to a more sociological perspective, Dr Indraswari presented on Gender Mainstreaming in Renewable Energy Systems. According to Dr. Indraswari, this topic matters as the renewable energy sector provides a new opportunity to include women in energy entrepreneurship. More research in terms of how both genders can be more active in the energy sector is beneficial.

The final presentation of the event was provided by Niken Prilandita. Niken provided an interesting and up to date state of the Urban Heat Island Effect on Household Energy Consumption a Physical Activity. The Urban Heat Island results from urbanisation and refers to excessive heat emission within cities. This phenomena leads to discomfort among citizens, lower attractiveness to be physically active outside and higher electricity demands to cool indoor spaces in urban areas. In Bandung, the Urban Heat Island effect is not yet sufficiently recognized and likewise not acknowledged in current policies. Noteworthy though, distributed questionnaires did not prove that people living in urban heat island locations were less likely to be physically active in comparison with people living in non-urban heat island locations. However, other factors might be in play here and further research is warranted.

Niken's presentation concluded the session and time was allocated to provide answers to questions that had been asked throughout the different sessions. Overall, it was an interesting afternoon provided by people that aim to shift the energy focus from fossil fuels to more sustainable and renewable systems of energy

Picture 1.  During Certificate Submission