| Title | Ageless Steam, New Life: How Strategic Upgrades Revitalized Kamojang Unit 4 Geothermal Power Plant |
|---|---|
| Authors | Riandinata, Ariadji B. Z., Wongkar E. E., Tasya N. I. S., Andrianingtyas Y. U., Sulistyardi H. B., Putra I. M. B |
| Year | 2026 |
| Conference | World Geothermal Congress |
| Keywords | |
| Abstract | Kamojang is the oldest geothermal area and the first to be developed in Indonesia. Geothermal exploration began around 1971 through a collaboration between the governments of Indonesia and New Zealand. Development accelerated in 1983 due to the area's substantial geothermal resources and the presence of dry steam fluid. Following successful steam field development, three power plant units totaling 140 MW were commissioned and operated by another company. In 2003, PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy Tbk (PGE) began constructing its own power plant at Kamojang, with an installed capacity of 60 MW. Today, Kamojang Unit 4 is the oldest power plant operated by PGE, with nearly 20 years of continuous operation. Despite regular overhauls and preventive maintenance, performance degradation has been observed in recent years—primarily due to elevated condenser pressure and the unit’s inability to reach its maximum output. In response, a major overhaul was carried out in 2024, including the replacement of the turbine rotor and the filler packs in the cooling tower. This study aims to evaluate the plant’s performance post-overhaul by comparing key operational parameters before and after the upgrades. The evaluation was conducted in accordance with ASME PTC 46 to assess overall plant performance, and CTI 105 to verify the cooling tower’s performance. The results indicate a significant improvement in system performance, particularly in turbine efficiency, condenser pressure, and cooling tower effectiveness—approaching or even exceeding the original design specifications. Overall, the unit now operates reliably at full load with enhanced efficiency, supporting stable and sustainable energy generation. |