Sunday, July 13, 2008

Thesis Research













Solar Cell as a Renewable Energy Source for Water Supply in Nusa Penida


Bali is a province of Indonesia, that consist of the main island (Pulau Bali) and some smaller islands. One of these islands is Nusa Penida, which is located between Bali (west) and Lombok (east). The population is around 50,000 people, and the area is 2,000 square kilometer, with high topology, steep rocky stones and cliffs, dry barrend land, and lime stone soil textures. No rivers flow in this island, except few water springs. That’s why most of the population really rely on rain water source and reservoirs for their daily activities, crops, and farming.

Most of the population work as farmer, fisherman, merchant, and laborer. The natural potential of this island are: seaweeds, farming (cow, pig, and goat), fishery, and agriculture (coconut, corn, green bean, peanut, sweet potato, and the other dry field crops). But up to the moment, Nusa Penida is still one of the poorest region in Bali, because of the lack of access (water, electricity, transportation, and telecommunication) to/with the main island

The water problem in Nusa Penida mainly caused by the water spring location, that is near the canyon at the bank of the sea, no rivers flowing, and only rely on rain water reservoirs. With the increase of the world oil price, the water price (by PDAM, Indonesian water company) is keep increasing as high as Rp 100,000-120,000 or US$ 11-13 per 5,000 litre, which is very expensive for the people with average income Rp 2,45 million/year per capita (US$ 267/year per capita).

My thesis research will be the water supply/procurement using free renewable energy (solar cell and panel) that will be used to generate electricity for the water pumps at the water springs, and leave the electricity excess for the public use, crops, and farmings. I’ve also started to read and try to find references on solar cell and solar panel as a free renewable energy source.

Other than that, will be analysed the environtmental effect (gaseous emissions) of these free energy source compared with the current power plant using diesel fuel (PLN grid, the government electrical company). Also will include the financial aspect, the Return of Investment (ROI), bill savings, and general savings, that can be used to develop the society to a more useful sectors.

References:
1. Bali Post, July 7, 2008. www.balipost.co.id
2. Bali Post, July 2, 2008 www.balipost.co.id
3. Bali Post, June 16, 2008. www.balipost.co.id
4. Bali Post, January 18, 2007. www.balipost.co.id
5. Bali Post, April 8, 2003. www.balipost.co.id
6. www.zigma.wordpress.com , December 20, 2006
7. www.id.wikipedia.org
8. www.seputar-indonesia.com, July 6, 2008
9. www.esdm.go.id, July 3, 2008
10. www.mbojo.wordpress.com , August 22, 2007
11. www.indoalert.blogspot.com , June 15, 2008
12. www.klungkungkab.go.id , November 24, 2007
13. www.pplh.unud.ac.id , April 10, 2008