View source for Indonesia: Operational Status of Rural MHP and PV Mini-grids


= Background =

[[File:Report Operational Status Survey - EnDev Indonesia ed.Dec 2016.pdf|thumb|right|200px|Report Operational Status Survey - EnDev Indonesia_2016]] From 2009 to 2015, GIZ through EnDev Indonesia project extensively supported the&nbsp;construction of about 600 renewable-energy based power plants, particularly for micro hydro power (MHP) and photovoltaic (PV) mini-grid.&nbsp;This support included various implementation steps, such as initial site feasibility study,&nbsp;preparing detailed engineering drawings,&nbsp;tendering, construction supervision, final commissioning, training of village management team (VMT), monitoring and evaluation,&nbsp;managing knowledge in the topics, and encouraging productive-use-of-energy through rural businesses. GIZ commits to support the Indonesian government in monitoring the rural electrification facilities which were built through various initiatives. The methods to monitor the&nbsp;systems comprise of field-survey, text messaging communication, and phone-calls.

To update information on operationalisation of the mini-grids, a biannual monitoring survey is conducted through phone conversation. Result of these monitoring efforts are documented and analysed to formulate and improve further impactful support and recommendation. The&nbsp;phone survey had been conducted in 2015 and 2016.<br/>

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= Conclusion and Recommendation | Simpulan dan Saran =

The survey has shed a light on some operational aspects of MHP and PV mini-grids, which can be resumed as follow:

''Survey ini telah memberikan pemahaman mengenai aspek operasional dari PLTMH dan PLTS komunal, yang dirangkum sebagai berikut:''<br/>

1. The number of MHP and PV mini-grids that could be contacted increased almost 30% compared to the previous monitoring period. This trend indicates that contacting rural mini-grid operators need a more effective strategy. Current strategy is considered effective to gather information from the existing contact by applying the survey flow in Figure X.

'''<u>Recommendation:</u>''' Updating the operator contacts are crucial, besides collecting the non-existing contacts from the relevant local stakeholders such as relevant local government.

''Jumlah PLTMH dan PLTS komunal yang dapat dihubungi meningkat sebanyak 30% dibanding periode pemantauan sebelumnya. Kecenderungan ini menunjukkan bahwa dibutuhkan strategi yang efektif untuk menghubungi operator pembangkit listrik pedesaan. Strategi yang digunakan sekarang dianggap sudah efektif dalam mengumpulkan informasi dari kontak yang ada.''

'''''<u>Saran:</u>'''''<i>Memperbarui kontak operator sangat penting untuk dilakukan, selain mengumpulkan kontak operator yang belum tercatat dari pemangku kepentingan setempat seperti pemerintah daerah yang relevan.</i>

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2. The survey was only able to reach 29% of total sites monitored by EnDev Indonesia, while the other 71% remains inaccessible. This is caused by unavailable contacts, false information, and no communication network available in the location.

<br/>'''''<u>Recommendation:</u>'''A solution to contact the locations with no GSM coverage needs to be devised promptly. Possible approach is by demanding more involvement from the local government responsible for the mini-grids to report on the operational status of the system.''

<br/>''''Survey hanya mampu untuk menjangkau 29% dari total lokasi yang dipantau oleh EnDev Indonesia, sementara 71% lainnya masih belum bisa dihubungi. Hal ini disebabkan oleh kontak yang tidak tersedia, informasi yang salah, dan jaringan komunikasi yang tidak tersedia di lokasi.''''

'''''''<u>Saran:&nbsp;</u>'''''Perlu segera dirancang sebuah solusi untuk menghubungi lokasi yang tidak terjangkau jaringan komunikasi GSM. Cara yang mungkin dilakukan adalah dengan meminta keterlibatan lebih jauh dari pemerintah daerah setempat yang bertanggung jawab untuk melaporkan status operasi sistem pembangkit listrik komunal.

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3. The survey successfully contacted 117 PV mini-grid sites, or around 38% of all PV mini-grid systems supported by EnDev Indonesia. Among these sites, 84% of them were operational, while the other 16% were disrupted.

''''Survey berhasil menghubungi 117 lokasi PLTS, atausekitar 38% dari total PLTS yang didukung EnDev Indonesia. Di antara lokasi-lokasi ini, 84% diantaranya beroperasi, sedangkan 16% terganggu operasionalnya.''''<br/>

4. Among 309 MHP sites supported by EnDev Indonesia, only around 23% can be successfully contacted of which 77% of them were operational.

<br/>''''Di antara 309 PLTMH yang didukung oleh EnDev Indonesia, hanya 23% yang berhasil dihubungi dimana 77% masih beroperasi.''''

<br/>5. The tariff applied by the village communities could not cover the operational costs which consist of the honorarium for management team and funding for repair. The management team needs alternatives for funding which are accessible while in the same time are not being a burden for their financial capacity, such as alternative loan scheme with lower interest rate.

''''Tarif yang diterapkan oleh masyarakat desa belum mampu membiayai biaya operasional yang mencakup imbalan bagi tim pengelola, dan untuk membiayai perbaikan jika dibutuhkan. Tim pengelola membutuhkan cara lain untuk pendanaan yang mudah dijangkau serta tidak memberatkan kemampuan keuangan mereka seperti skema alternatif pinjaman dengan bunga rendah.''''

<br/>6. There is lack of skilled technicians in the field of PV mini-grid technology. While MHP technology is more common and using less advanced electrical technology, PV technology is relatively new and requires advanced skill of electrical engineering. The need of electricians who understand the technology and are accessible by the village communities is urgent. Their expertise is highly demanded to repair and maintain the mini-grids that are operational in hundreds of remote villages.

<br/>'''''<u>Recommendation:</u> '''The required skill for MHP and PV mini-grids repair and maintenance includes electrical, mechanical, and civil technicians. Technicians from vocational schools should be sufficient to conduct repair job under the supervision of a senior engineer who plans and manages the work based on the problem analysis.''

''''Jumlah teknisi yang terampil di bidang PLTS amat terbatas. Sementara teknologi PLTMH lebih umum dan sederhana dalam sistem kelistrikannya, PLTS merupakan teknologi yang relatif baru dan membutuhkan keahlian lebih dalam rekayasa kelistrikan. Kebutuhan akan ahli listrik yang mengerti teknologi dan dapat dijangkauoleh masyarakat desa sangatlah mendesak. Keahlian mereka sangat dibutuhkan untuk melakukan perbaikan dan pemeliharaan pembangkit listrik yang telah beroperasi di ratusan desa terpencil.''''

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'''''''<u>Saran:&nbsp;</u>'''''Keterampilan yang dibutuhkan bagi PLTMH dan PLTS mencakup teknisi listrik, mesin, dan bangunan sipil. Teknisi dari sekolah kejuruan cukup memadai untuk melakukan pekerjaan perbaikan di bawah pengawasan dari insinyur senior yang merancang dan mengelola pekerjaan berdasarkan analisis permasalahannya.

<br/>7. The rural mini-grid operators are maintaining the system with limited day-to-day support both in technical and administrational matters. The biannual operational status survey has been the regular channel for village operators to inform their current situation and struggle in maintaining the mini-grids. Nonetheless, prompt and effective follow-ups are really expected to sustain the mini-grid operation.

''Para operator pembangkit listrik memelihara sistem dengan dukungan dari hari ke hari yang terbatas, baik untuk urusan teknis maupun administratif. Survey status operasi dua-kali-setahun ini telah menjadi saluran tetap bagi operator untuk memberitahukan situasi terbaru serta kesulitan dalam mengelola pembangkit listrik. Meskipun begitu, tindak lanjut yang cepat dan efektif sangat diharapkan untuk mempertahankan operasional pembangkit listrik.''&nbsp;

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'''<u>Recommendation:</u>'''Supports from EnDev Indonesia in both technical and administrational matters had been consistently delivered during construction and post-commissioning; however, technical support in more detail is critical on operational stage. This responsibility shall be shared among the local stakeholders could provide the necessary support in more efficiently. Effective knowledge transfer from the technology providers and contractors (EPC[[#_ftn1|[1]]] companies) to local government is also critical as part of capacity development measures.

'''''<u>Saran:</u>'''''<i>Dukungan dari EnDev Indonesia baik di hal teknis maupun administratif telah dilakukan secara konsisten selama masa pembangunan dan setelah komisioning; akan tetapi, dukungan teknis secara lebih rinci sangat dibutuhkan di tahap pengelolaan. Tanggung jawab ini perlu dibagi di antara pemangku kepentingan setempat yang mampu memberikan dukungan yang dibutuhkan secara lebih efisien. Alih pengetahuan yang efektif dari penyedia teknologi dan kontraktor kepada pemerintah daerah sangat penting untuk dilakukan sebagai bagian dari upaya pengembangan sumber daya manusia.</i>

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= Further Information  =

*[[Indonesia Energy Situation|Indonesia Energy Situation]] 
*[[Indonesia - Productive Use of Energy through Cooperative|Indonesia - Productive Use of Energy through Cooperative]] 
*[[Indonesia - Electricity Access for Outer Islands|Indonesia - Electricity Access for Outer Islands]]

= Reference  =

*Contact the author for further information

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[[#_ftnref1|[1]]] Engineering, Procurement, and Construction
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[[Category:Mini-grid]]
[[Category:Photovoltaic_(PV)]]
[[Category:Micro_Hydro]]
[[Category:Indonesia]]