Pertamina develops geothermal beyond energy with agricultural byproducts
Pertamina Geothermal Energy continues to develop byproducts from geothermal power generation to support agriculture near their operating fields.
State-owned PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy (PGEO) continues their efforts to diversify the utilization of geothermal energy in Indonesia with projects aimed at helping the agricultural sector.
Members of the Board and Directors of PGEO recently joined local farmers of rice plantations near the Lao-Lao Geothermal Park in South Tomohon District, North Sulawesi for the spraying of the “Katrili” fertilizer. As previously featured, this fertilizer or “liquid booster” was developed by PGEO together with the Gadjah Mada University (UGM) as a byproduct of geothermal operations, utilizing silica produced from the power generation process.
Silica deposits from geothermal fluids are processed using nanotechnology with chitosan, producing environmentally friendly and economical liquid fertilizer. The silica in the fertilizer not only nourishes the soil, but also increases the resistance of the crops to pest attacks. Laboratory test results have also proven that plants that receive the geothermal nanosilica liquid fertilizer and booster named Katrili are safe to consume because they do not contain heavy metals.
Aside from deriving more value from geothermal fluids, this initiative also improves the livelihood of famers around PGEO’s operational areas by providing a solution the challenge of fertilizer scarcity.
PGEO had also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with PT Gunung Hijau Masarang for the processing of palm sugar using geothermal fluids.
These efforts are part of PGEO’s concept of being “The Home of Geothermal Beyond Energy.” Indeed, the company has already been recognized for the use of residual geothermal heat for the drying of coffee in the Kamojang area. This process increases the efficiency of the coffee drying process by up to 75%, creating high-quality coffee beans that are sold as the product “Canaya Geothermal Cofffe.”
Source: Pertamina Geothermal Energy via PressRelease.id
