INDEPENDENT POWER

Independent power

If the power goes out, villagers Haurngombong, District Pamulihan, Sumedang regency, West Java, stay calm. The houses in the village were still ablaze with light energy from biogas. They do not know the term byarpet, as customers often complained of the state electricity company.If in some other areas in West Java, like Pangalengan, Lembang, or Sumedang, biogas plant dormant condition, in Haurngombong not. The village head, Adang (42), instead going directly to address residents' biogas installations.Thanks to the efforts Adang and mutual help young people there, many people generating their own electricity from cow manure. Biogas is part of renewable energy that can be produced from farm waste.Efforts to make the country energy independent Haurngombong been done since 2003. Innovation done because at that time the price of kerosene soared. At its peak, the price of kerosene in 2007 reached Rp 8,000 per liter. "In fact, before the conversion of energy is applied, the price is only about Rp 2,500 per liter. It's expensive, too difficult to failure by kerosene, "Adang said.At that time, efforts to meet the electricity needs independently yet done in the villages. The equipment used in the village Haurngombong was still very simple. "Container gas stove from disposable plastic and tin cans. Also plastic hose. There is a silver lining too. First, many residents complained of the smell of cow dung, "he said. Currently cow dung instead contested residents, or less stock.The use of biogas intensified cooperation with the Faculty of Animal Husbandry, University of Padjadjaran (Unpad), Bandung. Unpad very good response by providing biogas technology support and guidance to residents. In 2007, the number of biogas installations in the village Haurngombong has reached 60 units."I was wondering, if it could be incorporated into the tubes biogas as LPG so lightly. If you use a large plastic one, but could not, "he said.Independent powerHaurngombong also be guided village PLN. The village was then received 10 generators that have been modified with the power of PLN in 2008 amounted to 450 watts. Each generator using biogas fuel that can produce electricity for four houses."In the village there Haurngombong of electricity, but if there's a blackout, people not too bothered. Although not necessarily be able to watch TV, the lights on, "he said.219 villages with an area of ​​about 5800 hectares, consisting of 1,500 families. Currently, almost 30 percent of that amount, or 400 families have been able to generate electricity independently. "My goal, 1,000 families can produce their own electricity. In the village there are many cow dung Haurngombong untapped, "he said.No need advanced equipment to make the biogas installation. Gas containers made of plastic. Some residents already use containers made of fiber and container of concrete.In 2008, Adang also established Haurngombong village-owned enterprises engaged in the biogas. Enterprises managed three key personnel and supported by 20 technicians. Business services, among others, the provision of biogas installations, supply of spare parts, and savings and loans. The effort also serves as a communication center for biogas."We feel like he has a social responsibility towards other areas wishing to develop biogas," said Adang.The spirit of the village to implement the use of biogas in biogas technicians make Haurngombong village often called upon to share their knowledge. Starting the central government to the provinces and districts / cities in Indonesia asked them to come."Thank God. Thanks to biogas, our technicians can walk to various regions in Indonesia, "Adang said laughing happily.Not only areas in West Java, as the District Tasikmalaya, Ciamis, Subang, Cianjur, Sukabumi, and Brass, local governments are also asking the technicians to share experiences, such as in Semarang, Palembang, Surabaya, Yogyakarta and Denpasar. "In fact, a limited number of technicians. We are overwhelmed with demand dispatch technicians. Not to mention the engineers also had to work in the village, "said Adang.
Need workshopThe technicians are also required to install biogas installations and perform maintenance. They had to drive around to several areas in turn. Those who want to learn and want to come directly to the village Haurngombong, his presence will be accepted gladly.Local authorities who've been to the village Haurngombong, among others, from the province of Bengkulu, Lampung, Central Java, West Nusa Tenggara, East Nusa Tenggara, Jakarta, Pacific Islands and the Islands.In addition on biogas, business Haurngombong village also aims to empower youth villages affected by layoffs and poor. They, among others, can serve as the official installation, repair, and monitoring.Village Community Haurngombong using biogas installations subject to royalties only Rp 7,500 per month. If the installation is damaged, people can report it to the technician. If the damage was relatively minor and did not require spare parts, residents are free.Adang was determined to develop a business Haurngombong village which is still small. Therefore, if it can be obtained, capital assistance would be helpful."I wonder still need a capital of USD 400 million, including for the procurement of spare installation, training, and equipment secretariat," he said. Adang and a number of villagers also plan to open a workshop that can make its own biogas installations and provide spare parts."If the shop can be realized, we can make the effort to empower the village. We can also send a technician to the quieter areas in need, "he said.The number of cattle farmers in the village of about 210 people Haurngombong. The cattle population in there as much as 892 birds. Farmers who have lots of cows, the number of cattle could reach 12 tails."Hold our business simple. During the cows still pooping, businesses still can walk ..., "Adang said. He has proven that people can empower themselves without a lot of words or great in discourse.Sources: COMPASS Print