Bandung, (January 11, 2024) The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) visited Widyatama University (UTama) to collaborate with the Mechanical Engineering Study Program. BRIN, represented by the Solar Thermal Energy and Hydro Energy Research Group (ESTEH) and the Energy Conversion and Conservation Research Center (PRKKE), plans to conduct research collaboration that will result in products and joint patents.
The Solar Thermal and Hydro Energy Research Group (ESTEH) and the Energy Conversion and Conservation Research Center (PRKKE) have previously developed several innovative research tools, such as the Pico Hydro and Micro Hydro Power Plant, which is a small-scale hydroelectric power plant that can produce 25 liters of water per second with 250 watts of power.
The plan is for BRIN’s research collaboration with UTama to involve research using several prototype tools, such as: a hybrid ice block maker drying machine testing tool, a micro gas turbine generator system testing tool, a combined solar thermal herbal drying system testing tool, and a vortex turbine and pico hydro propeller testing tool, with the following explanations:
• The hybrid block ice maker and dryer is a device that can be used to make block ice and as a dryer. For testing, a room measuring at least 5×4 meters is required, as well as 220 volts of electricity.
• A micro gas turbine generator is a device for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy using gas (biogas, LPG, hydrogen, etc.) as fuel.
• Photovoltaic Thermal (PVT) is a device for converting solar energy into electrical energy and thermal energy. For testing, a location that is exposed to direct sunlight is required, ideally a rooftop, and requires 220 volts of power.
• Vortex Turbine and Pico Hydro Propeller Prototypes are testing system devices for turbines (Vortex and Pico Hydro).
Ir. Udin Komarudin, M.T., (Head of the Mechanical Engineering Study Program) hopes that the collaboration with BRIN can be ongoing and sustainable.
“The hope is that the collaboration will not only be a one-time event, but can be sustained, and that BRIN can collaborate with other faculties and study programs, not just Mechanical Engineering,” he emphasized.
