UNS — Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta officially collaborated with the State Electricity Company (PLN) to run a pilot project for the conversion of gas stoves to induction stoves. This partnership agreement was signed on Thursday (28/4/2022) in Conference Room II of UNS Dr. Prakosa Building, Kentingan, Surakarta. The signing was held on-site, inviting various parties from UNS and PLN leaders.
For this special occasion, PLN was represented by the General Manager of the Central Java and Yogyakarta Special Region Distribution Unit (UID), Muhammad Irwansyah Putra, Senior Manager of Commerce and Customer Management, Ari Prasetyo Nugroho, Senior Manager of Finance and General Communication, Endah Yuliati, and the Manager of the Customer Service Implementation Unit of Surakarta, Joko Hadi Widayat. Meanwhile, the UNS side was represented directly by the Rector of UNS, Prof. Dr. Jamal Wiwoho, accompanied by UNS Vice-Rector for Planning, Partnership, Business, and Information Affairs, Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Sajidan, and the Chairman of the Institute of Research and Community Service (LPPM) UNS, Prof. Dr. Okid Parama Astirin.
The Rector of UNS, Prof. Jamal, revealed that the key to the country’s progress is innovation. For this reason, universities are encouraged to conduct research and innovation that is not limited to scientific research but also collaborative research with business sectors and industries. Thus, it can be implemented in a real-life situation. “Universities’ success in accelerating various innovation products is inseparable from the University’s capability to synergize and collaborate with industry and various user institutions. This morning, UNS succeeded in establishing a collaboration with PT PLN Central Java and Yogyakarta Special Region Distribution Unit, for the pilot project on the transition of imported-based energy to domestic energy, through the conversion of LPG stoves to induction stoves,” said Prof. Jamal.
This conversion program is a follow-up action to President Joko Widodo’s directive requesting PT. Pertamina and PT. PLN to immediately engage in an energy transition program. The first two things that will be implemented in the energy transition are the use of electric vehicles and induction stoves. Prof. Jamal hopes that UNS and PLN can synergize well to maximize the implementation of this program. “Hopefully, UNS together with PT. PLN, the Central Java and Yogyakarta Special Region Distribution Unit can make the best contribution and performance to realize the quality of research and higher education innovation in supporting the acceleration of energy transition programs in Indonesia,” he concluded.
The General Manager of the Central Java and Yogyakarta Special Region Distribution Unit (UID), Muhammad Irwansyah Putra, said that the pilot project for the conversion from imported energy to domestic energy, through the conversion of LPG stoves to induction stoves, will be carried out in two cities: Surakarta and South Bali. Specifically for the implementation in Surakarta, PLN entrusted UNS to manage the program. “We are asking for help from the academic members at Universitas Sebelas Maret to collaboratively assist the conversion program from LPG to induction stove, thus, the program can go well and become the basis for other cities in Indonesia,” he said.
The pilot project will be carried out in early June 2022. The program will be implemented as an induction stove trial for 1,000 residents and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Surakarta City. A thousand customers selected in this trial have previously participated in a preliminary survey and were designated as trial participants. The selected participant was PLN customers who received electricity subsidies with a housing electricity power of 450-900 VA-class. To use the induction stove, the selected customers will receive a free electricity power allowance boost up to 2200 VA.
In carrying out this program, the Customer Service Implementation Unit (UP3) of the Surakarta PLN Office will be assisted by LPPM UNS. A number of UNS experts will be involved in the program. These experts include project management experts, ethnographers, electricity experts, data analysts and information technology experts, sociologists, and communication science experts. These experts are expected to drive PLN to realize its target of converting LPG stoves to induction stoves, reaching 8.2 million users by 2025. Humas UNS
Reporter: Ida Fitriyah
Editor: Dwi Hastuti