Jernih Sinaga
IPMI International Business School
Amelia Naim Indrajaya
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LED Green Lantern (Lentera air garam), is an alternative source of light, which can be a substitute for kerosene lamps, Petromat lamps, candles or other battery-powered lights. LED is fueled by utilizing available natural resources such as seawater and saltwater. LED Green Lantern is not toxic and is safe for the environment since the use of LED can't cause fires which can result from kerosene or candle use. These LED lamps are also waterproof or can float on the water surface.
LED could be the night lighting solutions for Indonesian citizens who live in the thousands of islands or remote villages where the people are still having trouble getting electricity. LED Green Lantern is the simplest innovation that could be expected for the Indonesian people to get lighting at night and could reduce community dependence on kerosene light in the remote regions. LED Green Lantern can also help fishermen do night fishing, and help with emergency activities including rescue efforts during natural disasters.
According to Ricky Amorris Sirait, distributor of Petromat International, these lamps are easily made through a combination of saltwater and seawater. With the use of electrodes and magnesium rods, these lamps can generate long lasting electricity which is clean, environmentally friendly, pollution-free, non-toxic and safe since no components can cause a fire. The electrodes can be used for 120 hours, while the magnesium rods can be replaced every 100 hours or until they run out.
The need for power in remote islands, and the breadth of the Indonesian ocean as a natural resource encouraged PT. Duta Nichirindo Pratama's Sea/Salt Hydroelectric Division to build sea/salt hydroelectric plants (Genset Air Laut/Garam) in Indonesia. But due to the high production costs and selling price, PT Genius International, the distributor, struggled to market the product.
Based on the market analysis conducted by PT. Duta Nichirindo Pratama, communities in the remote islands are really in need of electrical energy, but their purchasing power is still low. This condition inspired and encouraged PT. Duta Nichirindo Pratama to develop the Lantern Seawater/Saltwater shaped petromat lamp that is commonly used as a torch by fishermen and local communities.
PT. Duta Nichirindo Pratama studied the kerosene petromat lamp and the latest petromat lamp products that are battery powered. It found some limitations that do not allow the petromat lamp to be used in the water by the fishermen. In addition, fishermen have to carry the fuel. Sirait explained that based on the study and the needs of the fishermen communities, PT. Duta Nichirindo Pratama created lanterns that can produce light without having to use batteries or kerosene, and can be lit only by the contents of the saltwater or seawater. LED lights are capable of burning for eight hours and can be sustained by replenishing seawater or saltwater. They give off good light, are lightweight, waterproof or can float on the water surface. Sirait added that the LED Green Lantern (Lantern Seawater/Saltwater) provides other benefits in addition to being cost-effective, and environmentally friendly.
Sirait noted that the LED Green Lantern (Lantern Seawater/Saltwater) is more economical to use per year than other light sources. In addition, it is safe for the environment, does not produce toxic waste, does not cause a fire, and does not use electrical power, batteries or fuel oil.
LED Green Lantern can be an emergency light source and mobile phone charger during power outages, and can also be used as a torch in the market, fishing boats, camping sites and during natural disasters. Sirait added that the lantern can help attract fish and increase the fishermen's catch. He said that fishermen who used kerosene lamps in Surabaya caught up to 200 kg, while those using the LED Green Lantern caught more than double.
This product is already distributed in Surabaya and Cirebon.
Due to the price of LED Green Lantern (Lantern Seawater/Saltwater) which is still considered expensive for middle and lower income people, such as the fishermen in Cirebon, the strategy used by PT. Duta Nichirindo Pratama and PT Genius International in marketing their products is to create a partnership with companies that want to build a community of fishermen as part of the company's corporate social responsibility program. This has been done by PT. Duta Nichirindo Pratama and PT Genius International together with PT Perusahaan Gas Negara (Persero) Tbk and PT Gagas Energi Indonesia, which distributes the product to about 1,000 fishermen in Cirebon.
This partnership strategy is also performed by several government agencies and state-owned and private enterprises.
According to Sirait, the partnership strategy is the right way to build a community with products and tools that they need to become more independent. In addition, the strategy can accelerate product introduction, increasing development and market share all over Indonesia.
Furthermore, this will also create public demand for the product and create continuous sales of spare parts that need to be maintained or replaced for the LED Green Lanterns including the magnesium rods.
In addition, Sirait noted that PT. Duta Nichirindo Pratama and PT Genius International further enhance the company's brand as one which is concerned with the development of lower middle economic communities, and care for the environment by creating a lamp with an environmentally friendly alternative energy source.
Sirait compared the pros and cons of kerosene lamps versus the Saltwater/Seawater Petromat Lamp as follows:
The Kerosene Traditional Lamp:
- Is not durable against harsh winds.
- Light goes off when it is raining or hit by the waves.
- Pollutes the environment.
- The light produced is not constant.
- Requires routine maintenance.
- When the pressure is less, the light will be dimmed.
- Needs a tedious routine for care and maintenance.
The Saltwater/Seawater Petromat Lamp:
- Is safe due to the system of direct current (DC).
- Does not pollute the environment or produce toxic waste.
- Provides brighter light.
- Can be used in the storm (water resistance).
- Is freshwater and salt water resistant.
- Maintenance is easy and simple.
- Has more efficient light bulbs.
- It can float in the water.
- The supply of energy resources (seawater or saltwater) is easily obtained.
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Rizky Amorris Sirait, Distibutor Petromat International
