UNS — The alumni of Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta as the members of UNS Alumni Association (IKA UNS) held a wedangan entitled “The Role of UNS in Lithium Battery Development for Energy Storage and Electric Vehicle” the event was conducted through the Zoom Cloud Meeting and was broadcasted in a Livestream from the Official UNS Youtube Channel. This 47th Wedangan series was held on Wednesday (3/3/2021).
Opening the webinar, Prof. Jamal Wiwoho as the Rector of UNS mentions the achievements accomplished by the Center for Lithium Battery (PUI Baterai Lithium). The PUI Baterai Lithium is registered in the Ministry of Education and Culture (Kemdikbud). “PUI Baterai Lithium has achieved many targets and now is listed in PUI cluster by the Ministry of Education and Culture,” Prof. Jamal explains.
This period Wedangan invites three speakers, namely, Prof. Dr. Eng. Agus Purwanto as the Chair of PUI TPEL Baterai Lithium, Prof. Muhammad Nizam, Ph.D as the Secretary of PUI TPEL Baterai Lithium, and Prof. Dr. Wahyudi Sutopo as the Head of Division in PUI TPEL Baterai Lithium. The occasion was led by a Moderator, Anif Jamalludin, Ph.D., a Lithium Battery researcher in UNS.
Prof. Agus Purwanto states that the presence of the PUI is motivated by the shift in fossil fuel usage in the automotive industry toward electric energy. The transition is triggered by the ever-depleting availability of fossil fuel. Lithium battery becomes the key component in electric vehicles and as a sustainable energy resource.
“Responding to this phenomena, we, who are assigned to conduct a research in the electric vehicle led by Prof. Nizam, find that Lithium battery is one of the main key components in the electric vehicle,” Prof. Agus Purwanto reveals in his remark regarding the establishment of PUI Baterai Lithium UNS.
Prof. Nizam as the second speaker delivers material on the development of battery research and its implementation in UNS. After the ratification of Perpres No. 55 of 2019 regarding acceleration of Battery Electric Vehicle for Road Transport, a new business in electric vehicle conversion is projected to gain momentum.
“Vehicle conversion can be from a non-electric vehicle into an electric vehicle, or from an outdated electric vehicle to a new one,” Prof. Nizam explains.
In terms of battery development for Electrical Battery Based Vehicle (KBLBB), the focus is how to establish production for battery cells for the stationary, electric vehicle, and fast charging, domestically in 2024. This is motivated by the prediction of a transition from a conventional vehicle to an electric vehicle.
PUI Baterai Lithium UNS will examine the module and pack development to support electric vehicle systems and Lithium Battery based energy storage. Various products developed from the researches of PUI Baterai Lithium UNS are electric bicycle conversion, converted electric car, e-trike, and electric car development.
The greatest challenge faced by the PUI Baterai Lithium UNS in the production process is the difficulty to get the raw material as its main component. But this does not dampen their spirit to develop their raw material component. “Alhamdulillah, starting in 2018, we in PUI have conducted studies in cathode production,” Prof. Wahyudi Sutopo explains.
The efforts in Battery Lithium industrial strengthening, PUI Baterai Lithium UNS, conducts technology consultations with large companies, conducting prototype co-incubation, prototyping, and commercialization. Waste management for the waste produced by PUI Baterai Lithium has been well prepared using the recycling system.
“Conceptually, battery waste can be recycled. The waste will be collected at a recycling company that can separate the material from the cathode and anode. Thus, we can collect the active material that is useful. The collected material will be reused as raw material for the manufacture of new active materials. Using this method, the continuity of the material will not harm the environment condition,” he added.
The designation of UNS as PTNBH also open opportunities for the PUI Baterai Lithium to establish partnership and collaboration with external companies. This partnership will empower the start-up business under the PUI Baterai Lithium UNS. The support from UNS leaders can increase the orders for electric bicycles, which boosted its start-up development. Humas UNS
Reporter: Rangga Pangestu Adji
Editor: Dwi Hastuti
