BPPT develops small-scale geothermal power plant

The Agency for Technology Application and Assessment (or BPPT) said it is currently developing small-scale geothermal power plant to supply power in the country?s islands such as in East Nusa Tenggara, West Nusa Tenggara, and Muluku.

BPPT Head Unggul Priyanto said in a statement issued last week that small-scale geothermal power plant has never been developed as it was considered non-economical.

But he said that if imported components can be produced at home, the cost could be significantly reduced. He pointed out that the generator can be manufactured by stated-owned PT Pindad, turbine by state-owned PT Nusantara Turbin and Propulsi, while the condenser can be produced by state-owned PT Boma Bisma Indra.

He said that the technology will utilize excess steam from major geothermal power plants. He said that a pilot project is being developed at the Lahendong geothermal power project, which can produce 100 kW of power.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak