Dr. Dra Melania Suweni Muntini MT (left) with ITS Physics Department students when surveying the condition of micro-hydro equipment in Duren Village, Probolinggo

Kampus ITS, ITS News – Several areas in Indonesia have the abundant potential for water flow, one of which is in Duren Village, Gading District, Probolinggo Regency. This prompted the Team of Real Work Lectures and Community Service (KKN Abmas) of the Physics Department, Faculty of Science and Data Analytics (FSAD) of the Institut Teknologi Sepuluh November (ITS) to get directly involved in developing water management through the Micro Hydro Power Plant (PLTMH).

The chief executive of KKN Abmas ITS Duren Village, Dr. Dra Melania Suweni Muntini MT, explained that basically, this village already has 18 micro hydros that were made independently by residents to meet the electricity needs of the town. “One micro-hydro device can generate electricity for four people’s houses, but it is not yet 100 percent maximum,” he explained.

Furthermore, according to Melania, the use of these tools is not maximized generally lies in micro-hydro, which does not meet standardization. Micro-hydro should be used carefully using clean water flow to rotate the turbine shaft smoothly. Micro hydro-technical problems and managerial problems regarding micro-hydro management are also different obstacles for residents.

Due to these problems, this team took the initiative to develop the potential and improve the performance of micro-hydro, namely through the KKN Abmas activity, which carries the theme of redesigning and redesigning the use of large-scale PLTMH as an alternative energy source.

Melania said that the abmas, which has been held for eight months, began with activities in the form of surveys, mapping the potential for new micro-hydro installations, and seeing the possibilities of other areas. “From the data that has been collected, eight potential new micro-hydro installations are found along the trench line, and seven potential new micro-hydro installations along the river route,” he explaine

Photo with the ITS Abmas KKN Team with Duren Village administrators in the FGD activity to design the PLTMH design

In addition to conducting research and development of PLTMH, this team also presented the study results by holding a Forum Group Discussion (FGD) as the final activity of KKN Abmas. This activity invited the Head of Duren Village, Duren Village residents, and Muhammad Hasan Basri, who is a lecturer at Nurul Jadid University, as intermediaries between ITS and Duren Village residents.

In this FGD, the ITS team provided input to villagers in maintaining their micro-hydro better and could assist in making technical files for fundraising. It is hoped that the availability of electricity will be more evenly distributed, which can support economic activities in Duren Village.

This Physics Department lecturer emphasized that KKN activities are not the end of all service processes but the beginning to communicate further between Duren Village residents and ITS. “This activity can build friendships and will make the relationship even closer so that more activities that support the SDGs will be carried out in the future,” he said.

Through this activity, Melania hopes that ITS and the entire academic community can realize the 7th SDGs goal on alternative energy. The more goals achieved can improve the quality of life in Indonesia. “I hope this activity can increase the development of micro-hydro on an industrial scale in Duren Village,” he concluded. (ITS Public Relation)

Reporter: Fauzan Fakhrizal Azmi