Noer Chanief: Renewable Energy as Source of Hope

KOMPAS/ADITYA PUTRA PERDANA

Noer Chanief

It’s better to light one candle than to curse the darkness. That is the motto of life for Noer Chanief, 53. He made a simple tool that converts wind energy into electricity. Even though it was small, what he did had created hope.

“No matter how small the energy, it will be very useful. Even mild wind can become electricity, though the electricity is small. This motivation could prompt young people along the coast to develop windmills. There is no need to lament for a long time,” said Noer, a teacher at state vocational school Blora 1 in Central Java, at the end of September.

Driven by his obsession with electricity and windmills, Noer never stopped experimenting. Various facilities were produced, including windmills, which provided farmers in the rice fields of Blora regency with an energy source for their insect traps.

Renewable energy has a wide range of benefits. For one, it can help solve the problem of insect pests for farmers along the northern coast of Central Java. Noer created a vertical axis windmill and solar cell that function as a power source for the insect trap. The generated electricity powers five lights. Different colored lights will attract the attention of insects in the rice fields.

Noer further developed his innovation and taught his daughter, Fadhiela Noer Hafizah, about it. Fadhiela, who was a student at state high school SMA 1 Blora. In 2015, Fadhiela and her schoolmate Dinar Limarwati represented their school for the Toyota Eco Youth event.

In the competition, Noer’s wife Sri Susilaningsih, who is also a teacher at SMA 1 Blora, participated as a mentor. Noer himself accompanied the team as the school’s partner. After various assessments, the innovation won second place in the science category. When guiding Fadhiela and Dinar to take part in the 2015 Toyota Eco Youth competition, Noer collaborated with the local agriculture department and the entomology laboratory of Gadjah Mada University (UGM) in Yogyakarta.

Before it was brought to the competition, the device was applied in the rice fields in Mangsangsen, Blora. “Previously, farmers would spray pesticides about seven times, but since the insect trap has been installed, they only spray four times, so the plants and crops are healthier,” Noer said.

Out of concern

Since childhood, Noer developed an interest in various things related to technology and electricity. In 1970, his house in Suryowijayan, Mantrijeron, Yogyakarta, had not yet been electrified. “Only the houses of the wealthy people had electricity. Because of [our limited means], our house did not,” he recalled.

It wasn’t until seven years later, in 1977, that his house was supplied with electricity. That same year, he could enjoy television shows. In 1980, Noer was enrolled at vocational school STM 1 Yogyakarta, which is an automotive school. He tried to quench his curiosity with various experiments.

His desire to continue experimenting was fulfilled through his education at Yogyakarta State University (IKIP), where he majored in automotive engineering, and later in his job as a vocational school teacher. As a teacher he also guides and encourages students to never stop innovating.

Noer often takes his family on study excursions; one such trip brought them to Baru Beach in Bantul. He was attracted to the windmill (hybrid power plant) in that location.

Applicative

Apart from the insect-catching windmill and some other experiments, Noer also developed Omset Pintar to make use of the wind power. Omset Pintar is a tool used as a power bank to charge batteries or devices at tourist attractions.

He also guided Dhodik Prasetyo, Alik Edi Santoso and Wawan Nur Aziz, students of vocational school SMK 1 Blora, to take part in the Community Creativity and Innovation Award (Krenova) in 2017. He came to that idea after observing some tourist sites that rarely provide battery chargers.

Omset Pintar harnesses wind power to generate electricity that is stored to a battery, and anyone can get electricity from that device, which can be set up under a gazebo. “From the start, the device was intended to be placed at tourist attractions,” Noer said.

So far, eight “Omset Pintar” units have been produced and offered to tourism managers in a number of areas in Central Java, including Blora, such as in Mount Cengklik and Greneng Dam. Omset Pintar is one of 10 winners at the Krenova 2017 competition.

In addition, Omset Pintar was also included in the Technology-Based Startups (PPBT) 2018 Business Camp of the Research, Technology and Higher Education Ministry. Noer hopes that, with this recognition, many parties will be interested in developing it.

Although it is still being pursued, recognition, such as through a patent, is not Noer’s priority. “I really don’t care. I just want my knowledge to be developed. Although this initial idea is from me, if anyone follows and turns out to be more salable, it’s fine, I’m actually happy,” he said.

Noer added that he would have no problem with anyone imitating his device. “Let’s prosper together. Indeed, if there is someone imitating it, it means someone appreciates my work. If anyone wants to learn, I am open, there is no secret,” he said.

In the end, Noer said, he hoped his work could kindle the spirit of the younger generation. He again uses a simple analogy. Even in Blora, which does not have a beach, wind can produce electricity. All the more so in coastal areas. Noer believes cheap renewable energy will help solve many problems of society.

Noer Chanief

Born: Yogyakarta, April 15, 1965

Education:

- Elementary school SD Keputran 1 Yogyakarta (1977) – state high school SMP 7 Yogyakarta (1980) – Vocation school STM Negeri 1 Yogyakarta (1983) – Yogyakarta State University, majoring in automotive technique (1990)

Job:

- Teacher at state vocational SMK 1 Blora (1991-present)

Achievements:

- Partner of SMA 1 Blora, runner-up at Toyota Eco Youth competition in science category (2015), “Vertical axis windmill and solar cell as power supply for insect catcher.”

- Mentor for SMK 1 Blora, winner at Krenova competition in Blora regency (2017), creator of Omset Pintar power bank