ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA – Indonesia continues to race towards implementing the energy transition to realize cleaner and more efficient energy.
The government, through the Directorate General of New, Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation, has integrated co-generation technology in the Geothermal Power Plant development project with a total capacity of 230 Megawatts (MW). This technology allows waste heat from power plants, which would normally be wasted, to be converted into additional electrical energy.
This project will be implemented through a partnership scheme, where PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy (PGE) and PT PLN Indonesia Power (PLN IP) will form a joint venture. Several geothermal work areas that have been identified as project locations include Lahendong, Ulubelu, Lumut Balai, Hululais, Kamojang, Sibayak, and Sungai Banyak.
“The geothermal potential of around 24 GW will be maximized until 2060, one of the breakthroughs that can be made is co-generation which utilizes unused steam in a binary cycle model,” explained the Director General of New, Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Eniya Listiani Dewi, quoted on Wednesday, 11 September 2024.
Binary cycle itself is a technology commonly used in geothermal power plants. This system utilizes a working fluid with a lower boiling point than water, such as isobutane or pentane. This working fluid is heated by geothermal steam, evaporates, and drives a turbine to produce electricity.
Meanwhile, the heat remaining in the secondary fluid can be used for various purposes, such as heating rooms or industrial processes. Thus, co-generation in binary cycle geothermal power plants makes it possible to utilize geothermal energy more efficiently and produce electricity and heat simultaneously.
To realize this project, PGE and PLN have made various preparations, such as signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and a Joint Development Agreement (JDA). Apart from that, these projects will also be included in the 2024-2033 Electricity Supply Business Plan.
“We are optimistic that this project will contribute to increasing the national energy mix,” he added. (AT Network)
Follow Us at Google News and WA Channel