Hyperloop begins feasibility study in Indonesia

A Hyperloop concept visualization. Photo credit: Hyperloop Transportation Technologies.

Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HTT), one of the entities developing a type of futuristic vacuum-tube based transportation system, says it’s conducting a US$2.5 million feasibility study for three possible routes in Indonesia.

HTT has also signed a joint venture agreement with Indonesian partners, forming Hyperloop Transtek Indonesia, its COO Bibop Gresta told Tech in Asia at the sidelines of a conference in Jakarta today.

Bibop and his local partners, entrepreneurs Dwi Putranto Sulaksono and Ron Mullers, signed the agreement at Indonesia’s ministry of transportation yesterday.

Bibop Gresta, who co-founded Hyperloop Transportation Technologies together with Dirk Ahlborn. Photo credit: Hyperloop Transportation Technologies.

The company will map out how it could develop Hyperloop systems on three routes in Indonesia: one in North Sumatra, one connecting airports across the Island of Java, and the third connecting Jakarta with satellite town Tangerang.

Unbelievable reality

The Hyperloop is basically a long tube which is depressurized to the point of near vacuum. Inside, passenger-carrying capsules float due to magnetic levitation. Of course, it could also be used to transport goods. The near frictionless propulsion makes the Hyperloop energy efficient.

It will produce more energy than it needs.

Integrated solar panels would even make it “energy positive,” according to Bibop. HTT’s version of the Hyperloop will produce more energy than it needs, making it possible to monetize the transportation system through means other than passenger fares -for example by selling off excess electricity, Bibop believes.

The Hyperloop concept was first put forward by Tesla and SpaceX founder Elon Musk in 2013.

In a public paper, Musk sketched out the basic technological requirements and invited other entrepreneurs to commercialize the idea.

It’s largely agreed that the Hyperloop’s core technologies make sense, but it’s still up for debate whether it can be made to work at scale and at realistic costs.

Battle for Abu Dhabi

The battle for who can first build a commercial Hyperloop track takes place mainly between HTT and rival Hyperloop One, which is also US-based.