Synergy of 16 Universities and PT PLN (Persero) to Accelerate Renewable Energy Transition
Energy transition is a global agenda. As part of the world community, Indonesia also plays a role in this agenda. To accelerate the energy transition, collaboration between universities, government, industry partners, mass media, and the community is needed. Rector of UI Prof. Ari Kuncoro, S.E., M.A., Ph.D. said that Universitas Indonesia (UI) is ready to become a pioneer and center of excellence in education and research that is applied to campus life and society in accordance with developments in industrial technology, including in the energy transition agenda.
Therefore, to support the development of eco-friendly energy, UI along with 15 other universities has collaborated with the State Electricity Company (PLN). This collaboration was marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding education, research, community service, downstream innovation and technology demonstrators, and empowerment of human resources (HR). This collaboration is expected to be able to identify areas of expertise that need special attention, especially in developing the capacity and capabilities of human resources.
“This is a very good momentum for UI and PT PLN (Persero) to synergize and contribute to solving national and global problems, as well as improving institutional performance for progress, community welfare, and national independence. The collaboration between UI and partners in the field of HR empowerment and research continues to be developed and improved. PT PLN (Persero) as a State-Owned Enterprise that provides electricity certainly requires competent human resources to face global challenges,” said Prof. Ari.
The rector of UI along with rectors or representatives from 15 other universities signed a MoU with Main Director of PT PLN (Persero) Darmawan Prasodjo, on Tuesday (10/1), at the 3rd Floor Auditorium, PT PLN (Persero) Head Office. In addition to the signing of MoU with 16 State Universities, PT PLN (Persero) also signed a collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek) through the Directorate General of Higher Education. According to Director General of Higher Education, Research, and Technology, Ministry of Education and Culture, Prof. Ir. Nizam, M.Sc., DIC, Ph.D., IPU, Asean Eng., cooperation between PT PLN (Persero) and universities can be conducted through the three pillars of higher education (Tri Dharma).
Through Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) program, campuses can send students to take part in internship programs in various business lines of PT PLN. Students and PT PLN staff can conduct joint research in order to accelerate research that is in accordance to community needs. Furthermore, in community service, biomass as community-based energy can be developed to produce clean energy, ranging from marine to terrestrial biomass.
“Currently the government is encouraging campuses to build energy independence or towards green energy through collaboration with other industrial partners. We have 4,000 campuses. If all of them have solar power plants which synergizes with PT PLN, they definitely can produce clean energy that is eco-friendly,” said Prof. Nizam.
Development of resource capacity carried out by PT PLN (Persero) must be based on innovation. According to Darmawan, if this innovation was fully borne by PT PLN, it would certainly be a tough thing. For this reason, collaboration with stakeholders is needed, including with the best universities in Indonesia to discuss strategic issues in realizing and supporting the energy transition in Indonesia.
“PT PLN (Persero) builds a research hub as a forum for us to discuss what can be done together through research and innovation related to the energy transition. For example, related to the global warming. The production of more and more greenhouse gas emissions encourages the creation of emission reduction policies. In addition, fossil energy that produces greenhouse gas emissions also needs to be replaced with new renewable energy, for example, coal-fired power plants that can be replaced with biomass,” said Darmawan.
The signing of the MoU was also attended by Director of Educational Fund Management Institution Ir. Dwi Larso M.SIE, Ph.D .; Director of Legal and Human Capital Management of PT PLN (Persero) Yusuf Didi Setiarto; Rector of Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember Prof. Dr. Ir. Mochamad Ashari, M.Eng .; Rector of Universitas Andalas Prof. Dr. Yuliandri, S.H. M.H.; Rector of Universitas Brawijaya Prof. Widodo, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D., Med.Sc.; Rector of Universitas Diponegoro Prof. Dr. Yos Johan Utama, S.H., M.Hum .; Rector of Universitas Hasanuddin Prof. Dr. Ir. Jamaluddin Jompa, M.Sc .; Rector of Universitas Negeri Surabaya Prof. Dr. Nurhasan, M. Kes.; Rector of Universitas Pembangunan Nasional “Veteran” Yogyakarta Prof. Dr. Mohamad Irhas Efffendi; and Rector of Universitas Udayana Prof. Dr. Ir. I Nyoman Gede Antara, M.Eng., IPU.
The event was also attended by representatives from IPB University, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Universitas Airlangga, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Universitas Negeri Medan, Universitas Padjadjaran, and Universitas Sebelas Maret.
Author: Sasa
