Solving research-based alternative energy challenges

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JAKARTA (ANTARA) – The increased use of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas has led to a global energy crisis, affecting the world economy and geopolitical stability.

This situation forces humanity to immediately shift from unsustainable energy to cleaner, renewable green energy.

Science is humanity’s guide to saving the planet through alternative, environmentally friendly energy sources. Laxana Terry Handok, head of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), said that developing new and renewable energy sources requires not only serious efforts from the government and energy management departments, but also technological breakthroughs.

“This is our challenge, especially in research and academia, to find ways to achieve new renewable energy (development) in the geopolitical situation,” he said in early June 2024.

Scientists are artists, and scientific research and innovation activities enable humans to unleash their creativity and create opportunities for the development of the environmental protection energy industry.

With a population of eight billion people, alternative energy is the key to a better future.

Fuel substitution

The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) records show that in the past decade, new and renewable energy has experienced quite significant growth and has slowly replaced fossil energy.

According to the data from the “Indonesia Energy and Economic Statistics Handbook 2023” released by the Ministry of Energy and Power on June 6, 2024, in 2013, the supply of fossil energy such as oil, coal and natural gas reached 41.43%, 29.61% and 22.28% respectively.

Ten years later, in 2023, the share of fossil fuels in the country’s primary energy mix drops to 29.91%, with oil and gas accounting for 17.11%. At the same time, the share of coal grows to 39.69% due to the 35,000 MW steam power plant (PLTU) project.

In 2013, the proportion of new energy and renewable energy in the country’s primary energy was only 6.69%, and it is expected to rise to 13.29% in 2023.

The global resolve to curb climate change by reducing carbon emissions from power plants is creating new opportunities for environmentally friendly green electricity.

Although Indonesia has abundant new and renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and hydropower, the most promising alternative energy sources are biofuels and nuclear energy.

Although Indonesia is a tropical country with 12 hours of sunshine throughout the year, BRIN found that Indonesian solar panels are less efficient than subtropical countries in Australia and the Middle East.

Cloud cover in Indonesia may hinder the generation of electricity from solar panels. After all, Indonesia is a cloudy country and clouds form quickly.

Large-scale solar power generation is not suitable in Indonesia because it takes up a lot of land, but small independent solar panels for public street lighting are considered ideal in Indonesia.

Wind power generation is less efficient in Indonesia, which has a monsoon climate, but is generally more efficient in subtropical countries with stable wind pressure.

“Scientifically, we know that solar and wind are more challenging for Indonesia than in other countries. Will we encourage biofuels? It will also be difficult for hydroelectric plants because it damages the environment,” Handok explained.

Currently, his team is working on a research project to increase the potential for biofuel production in plantations and agriculture.

Palm oil, sorghum and corn can be used as alternative fuels in the transportation sector. In 2013, biofuels accounted for only 0.56% of primary energy. Ten years later, biofuels accounted for 4.54%.

In fact, Indonesia already has established technology to produce biofuels, supported by large plantations and agricultural areas.

Rizal Alamsyah, a researcher at the BRIN Center for Energy Conversion and Conservation Research, said that the technology for processing biomass into biofuels (liquid and solid products) has made progress.

The conversion of biomass to energy can be carried out in several ways, namely direct combustion conversion, thermochemical conversion and biochemical conversion.

Today, liquid biofuel technology is developing rapidly, from the first generation using native raw materials to the third generation using aquatic plant biomass, and now biofuel technology has entered the fourth generation of converting biomass into biohydrogen.

The works of scientists engraved in scientific books leave traces for future civilizations, with the purpose of allowing humans to continue to explore, think and innovate.

Appropriate technology

Batteries play an important role in determining the future of new and renewable energy. Half of the challenges faced in green electricity implementation can be solved with the development of battery technology.

Humans can store as much energy as possible in a storage space without taking up too much room.

During the day, solar panels convert sunlight into electricity, which is then stored in batteries for use at night. The concept is similar to that of wind farms.

Nuclear power has so far been the most logical option for producing electricity without creating sustainable carbon emissions.

Indonesia became the first country in mainland Asia to have a nuclear reactor in 1958. However, it now lags far behind other countries, such as the United Arab Emirates, which already has four nuclear power plants (PLTN).

In the New and Renewable Energy Bill (RUU EBET), which has been completed and is about to be published, the government lists nuclear energy as one of the future energy sources.

Nuclear power generation technology has reached the fourth generation of nuclear reactor technology and is considered mature.

Scientists believe this fourth-generation reactor is most suitable for development in Indonesia because it is safe, has a high-temperature gas cooling system, is cheap and produces less waste.

Although nuclear energy is a mature technology and one of the most promising energy sources, it has not always been welcomed by several countries, including Indonesia.

Public acceptance – recalling the nuclear tragedies at Chernobyl and Fukushima – remains a challenge for nuclear energy development in Indonesia and in developed countries.

If history is always heavy, we may never be ready to face the possibilities of the future. History provides lessons for the better life of future mankind through careful efforts.

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