Organized by the Electrical Engineering Students Association (HME) of the Faculty of Engineering, Hasanuddin University, the competition carried the theme “Empowering Change: The Role of Youth Ideas in Sustainable Energy.” The event aimed to capture creative student ideas to generate sustainable energy solutions.

In this competition, Team Adooh focused their innovation on the small-scale fisheries sector through their "Smart Solar-Aerator" concept. They designed an energy-independent pond aeration system utilizing solar panels. This innovation falls under the sub-theme “Empowering Access: Inclusive Innovation for Clean Energy for All.”

Unlike conventional aeration systems, the Smart Solar-Aerator is equipped with Artificial Intelligence (AI) to predict water oxygen levels. This technology serves as an efficient solution as it eliminates the need for expensive physical sensors, making it more affordable for fish farmers in off-grid areas without access to the national power grid (PLN).

“Our goal is to prove that smart innovation doesn't always have to start from major industries; it can be born from the needs of the grassroots community,” said Syauqi.

Despite a relatively short preparation period of about two weeks, the interdisciplinary collaboration between Engineering Physics and Electrical Power Engineering became their core strength. In developing their innovation draft, they applied the Pareto Principle (80/20 Rule) to accurately map problems and provide high-impact solutions.

“We learned that a strong idea must be accompanied by storytelling skills so the concept is easily understood. Additionally, the economic analysis aspect was a crucial point we emphasized to the jury,” added Azizah.

For them, the biggest challenge during the competition was synchronizing schedules amidst academic demands. However, the motivation to contribute to national food security through clean energy drove them to complete the design through to the final stage.

Winning 2nd Place serves as validation that clean energy-based innovations have great potential if applied effectively. In closing, Azizah offered a message for students looking to enter the world of competition.

“Don't just build a tool that can communicate with a computer, but build a tool that provides direct benefits to humans. No matter how advanced the technology, it is useless if it cannot be accessed by the common people. Think big, but start simple and impactful!” she concluded.

Reporter: Rayhan Adri Fulvian (Geophysical Engineering, 2021)