Collaborating with Hokuriku Japan, Faculty of Engineering Unud Inaugurates International Off Grid EV Battery Swap Station Research with Flexible Solar Panels

Faculty of Engineering (FT) Udayana University (Unud) collaborates with Hokuriku Electrical Construction Co. (Hokuriku) Japan and PT. Awina Sinergi International (Awina) opened collaborative research on the Off Grid EV Battery Swap Station with Flexible Solar Panels. This event was attended by the Dean of FT Unud and his staff, company directors and staff and other guests such as the Deputy Consulate-General of Japan, Bali State Polytechnic, Wiksa Daya Pratama, Segara Village Hotel, Swissbell Resort, Intercontinental Jimbaran, researchers and students.

As stated by the head of research, Prof. I Nyoman Suprapta Winaya, the development of solar panel technology has experienced rapid progress in the last few decades. The latest innovation in this field is research into light and flexible solar panel materials which in this case are integrated directly for charging electric vehicle batteries (battery swap stations). "This material technology has great potential to revolutionize the renewable energy and environmentally friendly transportation industry because it is very easy to install so it does not reduce the construction burden and is able to provide an artistic and aesthetic touch," added Prof. Winaya.

Dean of FT Unud Prof. Linawati, who opened the inauguration, said that she really appreciated this collaboration and was confident that the installation of flexible solar panels would provide great benefits for the campus environment and the surrounding community. This is also an important step in supporting the program to create a sustainable green campus.

Added by Prof. Budiarsa as Deputy Dean I, the inauguration of this solar panel installation marked the beginning of a joint effort to reduce the carbon footprint in transportation and promote the use of renewable energy. With continuous collaboration between Hokoriku Electrical Construction Co. and PT Awina Sinergi Internasional, Faculty of Engineering, Udayana University, and other related parties, it is hoped that innovative solutions can continue to be found to deal with increasingly pressing environmental challenges.

In his remarks, President Director of Hokoriku Electrical Construction Co. Mr Yamazaki Isashi said that his party was committed to supporting the development of environmentally friendly technology, where collaboration with FT Unud was the right step. The use of light solar panels of only 7 kg (usually 30 kg) with flexibility of up to 30 degrees is one innovation to expand the application of renewable energy in various sectors. "We will collect and analyze the data obtained from this project and later new businesses can be developed," he said.

Research collaboration between Unud, Hokuriku Japan and Awina is an important step in realizing this vision. The collaboration between academia and industry, which has started in 2021, is expected to create strong synergy to develop and implement this technology more widely. Unud, with its expertise and research resources, is working together with experienced industrial partners, Hokuriku Japan and Awina International, to bring this innovative solution to the community.

This partnership not only drives scientific progress, but also opens up new opportunities for industrialization and economic growth. "By developing light and flexible solar panels for electric vehicles and buildings, we want to create a new industry that will provide jobs, attract investment, and contribute to sustainable development," added Prof. Winaya in the middle of the battery charging demonstration event for 10 Gesit motorbikes at the final session of the event.