Innovation of Solar-Powered and IoT-Based Smart Microalgae Cultivation System by Bali State Polytechnic

Natalia Sihombing S.Pd Rabu, Agustus 05, 2026
Illustration by AI
FORMOSA NEWS

A research team from Bali State Polytechnic consisting of I Gede Suputra Widharma, I Made Sajayasa, I Gde Nyoman Sangka, I Nengah Sunaya, Putu Sutawinaya, and Dewa Ayu Indah Cahya Dewi successfully designed a solar-powered multi-spectral LED lighting system integrated with the Internet of Things (IoT) in July 2026. This innovation is crucial for presenting an energy-independent, efficient, and environmentally friendly microalgae cultivation platform without relying on conventional electricity grids.

Green Energy Background and Challenges

The demand for sustainable biotechnology continues to increase alongside the high potential of microalgae for food, cosmetics, and biofuel industries. However, most current laboratory cultivation systems still rely on conventional grid electricity supplies, which raise operational costs and reduce sustainability aspects. Additionally, manual environmental parameter monitoring is considered less effective and time-consuming.

Smart Technology Without Conventional Electricity

The researchers developed a prototype combining a 50 Wp monocrystalline solar panel, a solar charge controller, an energy storage battery, and an ESP32 microcontroller. The lighting system uses six LED lamp modules with different color spectra—namely red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet—to test microalgae growth responses. Meanwhile, temperature and pH sensors were installed to collect environmental data, which is then automatically sent to the ThingsBoard cloud platform via a wireless network.

Main Research Findings

  • The use of the photovoltaic subsystem generated an average power of 24.13 Watts with a panel voltage of 18.42 Volts, which is highly adequate to support the lighting system load of 15.84 Watts.
  • The IoT communication system based on the MQTT protocol recorded a data transmission success rate of 98.6 percent with an average latency of 1.8 seconds.
  • Culture environmental conditions were observed to be stable with an average temperature of 27.5 degrees Celsius and a pH level around 7.71.

Broad Impact and Implications

The presence of this technology provides real benefits for the biotechnology research sector, precision agriculture, and technical vocational education. By utilizing solar energy and real-time remote monitoring, laboratory operations become more independent, cost-effective, and supportive of the green energy transition. "The integration of renewable energy, spectral lighting systems, and IoT technology produces a compact and scalable cultivation platform," explained the Bali State Polytechnic researchers.

Author Profiles

  • I Gede Suputra Widharma, M.T. and the research team (I Made Sajayasa, I Gde Nyoman Sangka, I Nengah Sunaya, Putu Sutawinaya, and Dewa Ayu Indah Cahya Dewi) are a group of academics and electrical engineering experts from Bali State Polytechnic focused on the development of smart systems and renewable energy.

Research Sources:

Natalia Sihombing S.Pd

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