Indonesia's Largest Marine Energy Potential

INDUSTRY.co.id - Kupang, Indonesia apparently has the potential of marine energy among the largest Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) in the world.

This was revealed by Head of Center for Marine Geology Research and Development (PPPGL) of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Ediar Usman, in Geomarin III Research Vessel Openship (KR) III at Kupang Port, East Nusa Tenggara Province (NTT) 23/9/20170.

"OTEC's potential in Indonesia is the largest in the world, spread over 17 locations in Indonesia, from the west coast of Sumatra, southern Java, Sulawesi, North Maluku, Bali and NTT, which is predicted to be around 41 GW," Ediar Usman said.

Ediar explained OTEC is part of renewable energy sourced from the differences in sea water temperature that is easily found in tropical marine waters. "OTEC will be developed as an effort to develop new renewable energy to support national energy security," he said.

According to Ediar, the potential of marine heat energy in all Indonesian waters is totally predicted to generate power around 240 Gigawatt (GW). This energy will generate electricity and pure water by evaporation of sea water. Utilization of OTEC will have a positive impact on the economy of the surrounding community in the field of fisheries as it will provide nutrients to marine life at sea level.

Openship this time in addition to aims to convey information utilization of KR Geomarin III in an effort to identify sedimenter basin to support the preparation of Oil and Gas Work Area (WK) as well as for Joint Study data in Arafuru Waters, Papua and Preparation of OTEC research in the Flores Sea in North Lembata Island, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

Geomarin III survey targets in Arafuru Waters include the acquisition of bathymetry and Sub-bottom profile measurements, seismic multichannel seismic / MCS, gravity meter, geomagnet and seabed sediment sampling.

Next on September 24 - October 7, 2017 Geomarin III will continue the survey for sampling of marine temperatures in Flores in the north of Lembata Island which is one of the areas with considerable OTEC potential.