Buntoi is a remote village located in Central Kalimantan province on the island of Borneo, Indonesia. It is one of the poorest areas in the country with almost 40% of inhabitants living in poverty. In addition, the organic wetlands of Central Kalimantan have been threatened by heavy logging and unsustainable agricultural practices have contributed to the country’s greenhouse gas emissions, releasing large amounts of carbon monoxide into the environment.
In 2012, a project was launched by the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization, along with the United Nations office for REDD+ Coordination in Indonesia, and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), to build a Climate Communications Centre in Buntoi. This Centre would serve the community and allow local people to connect and share information with one another, and improve their connectivity to the rest of the world. The Centre would also help to combat illegal logging and climate change, and preserve the forests and organic wetlands of Indonesia.
When the decision was made to build the Climate Communications Centre, organizers wanted to make sure the building would be sustainable. As a result, the Centre was built using local materials and runs entirely on solar power.
The project was installed by PT Indogreen Technology and Management, a solar energy company that specializes in solar integration for small, medium, and large power plants.
Initially, a different inverter company was suggested for the project, but PT Indogreen Technology and Management suggested Schneider Electric for the reliability of the products, and the customer service and maintenance offer. Moreover, Schneider Electric’s inverters and monitoring system were a clear choice for PT Indogreen Technology and Management due to the ease of transportation. Because of the remote location of the Buntoi village, it was important to select products that would transport easily and could withstand travelling to the remote location of the project.
For the Climate Communications Centre, two Conext XW 6048 inverters were used, along with six MPPT 60 150 solar charge controllers, and one Conext ComBox monitoring system.
“The UNOPS Climate Communications Centre relies completely on solar, and required a system that could support it’s energy needs. The reliability of Schneider Electric products and their customer service and maintenance offer made them a clear choice for this important project.” said Ayi Rachmat, President Director, PT Indogreen Technology and Management