RI Has the 2nd Largest Energy 'Treasure' in the World, Can it Replace Coal?
Indonesia has the second-largest energy 'treasure' in the world. But unfortunately, this has not been maximized.
This energy 'treasure' is in the form of geothermal or geothermal. Especially now that Indonesia is beginning to transition to energy, replacing fossil energy with new and renewable energy (EBT). It is noted that Indonesia's geothermal resources are the 2nd largest in the world at 23.7 GW, below the United States at 30 GW. . However, the utilization is only 9%.
"With a very large geothermal resource of 23.7 GW, the utilization is 2.17 GW or only 9.1% of the total existing potential," said Director of Geothermal at the Directorate General of EBTKE, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Harris, quoted from the official website of the National Energy Council. , Friday (7/1/2022).
The installed capacity of geothermal energy in Indonesia is still 2,131 MW or 2.1 GW. Of course, Indonesia still has a lot of homework to do so that this 'treasure' can be utilized optimally. The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources itself targets geothermal development to reach 9.3 GW in 2035. The development will be accelerated considering that the government itself is pursuing the realization of net-zero emissions by 2060.
With the amount of geothermal energy in Indonesia, can it replace coal? Especially now that the condition of coal for power plants is constrained by supply, making the government temporarily ban exports. Currently, coal is Indonesia's main energy source. In 2021, production is estimated to reach 610 million tons. The Indonesian Coal Mining Association (APBI) even mentions, for exports, the portion can reach 480 million tons. As we all know, Indonesia is one of the many countries in the world that have abundant energy resources. Various energy sources exist in Indonesia which can then be used as a source or power plant where until the end of 2016, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) stated that 5,235 power plants have been built in this country with an installed capacity of more than 59 thousand Megawatts. Watt.
The main source of power plant management in Indonesia is still dominated by the use of natural energy such as water and steam energy. Hydropower or hydropower is the main source of electricity in Indonesia, where the management of this energy source is quite large from the use of other energy sources.
Of the two energy sources, Indonesia has the potential for alternative energy sources that can be used primarily for the needs of the state's electricity management and others. Some of these energy sources can be obtained from geothermal energy, ocean wave energy, wind energy, tidal energy, and also nuclear energy which may not be used too much and is still considered a renewable energy source that is still little used in Indonesia.
In terms of the energy mix in the power plant sector, which was recorded at the end of 2017 by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, coal was still dominated by 57.22%, followed by gas 24.82%, water 7.06%, fuel 5.81% and geothermal + EBT. by 5.09%.
Types of Renewable Energy
1. Geothermal Energy.
Geothermal energy is located at the center of the earth and comes from radioactive decay. It is this energy that heats the earth from within. In the use of geothermal energy as a renewable energy source, three things are usually done, namely:
As a source of heat energy for geothermal power plants.
As a heat source that can be used directly by inserting a pipe into the bowels of the earth.
As a heat pump, it is pumped directly from the bowels of the earth.
Geothermal itself is a form of thermal energy or heat that is generated and stored in the earth. This energy comes from the energy that is the result of the process of planet formation (20%) as well as mineral and radioactive decay (80%).
In Indonesia, there are 13 Geothermal Power Plants (PLTP) with geothermal utilization reaching 1,948.5 MW.
2. Solar Energy / Sun.
solar energy
What is meant by solar energy or solar energy is the energy obtained by collecting heat from sunlight. This type of renewable energy can be used to generate electricity, heat buildings, and heat food. The sun's heat is collected through solar towers or solar cell panels.
One form of utilization of solar energy in Indonesia that you can find is the use of a solar water pump, be it for personal (residential) or commercial needs. For example, by installing a solar-powered submersible pump, which utilizes sunlight that has been converted into electrical energy by solar cell panels to drive the pump. This means that the water pump will no longer use PLN electricity like a conventional water pump in general.
3. Wind Power.
wind energy
Naturally, the wind is generated by air pressure that occurs due to the difference in temperature in two different places. From the past until now, the wind has long been known as the movement of air that is able to drive windmills or turbines, which are then used to produce electrical energy and kinetic energy.
The amount of energy generated through a wind power generation system depends on how high the wind speed is. In short, the higher the wind speed, the greater the output energy produced by the turbine. This renewable energy source is mostly processed in areas that have strong and constant winds, such as highlands and offshore areas. In Indonesia, wind power plants (PLTB) can be found in Sidrap and Jeneponto, South Sulawesi, some in Tanah Laut – South Kalimantan.
4. Hydropower.
water energy
Water is a natural object that contains mass and can flow, so it has the energy that can be utilized. When compared to air or wind, the mass of water is up to 800 times greater. In addition, the movement of water, although slow, can still be converted into other forms of energy. In utilizing water as an energy source, a water turbine is used with a design that aims to obtain energy from various reservoirs and takes into account the mass, height, and velocity of the water flow.
As an energy source, water is utilized in various methods, such as:
Huge water dam for power generation.
The micro-hydro method for generating electricity can generate power up to 100 kW and is common in remote areas, but has many sources of water.
A run-of-the-river method designed to harness the kinetic energy of water flow without having to use large-scale water reservoirs.
In 2018 Indonesia to date, there are approximately 50 large-scale Hydroelectric Power Plants (PLTA) that have supplied electricity of 5.37 GW.
5. Biomass.
biomass energy
This biomass is a renewable energy source that is used to produce bio-fuels, aka biofuels. This type of energy source comes from biomass or organisms, including products from animal metabolic processes such as feces. Generally, biomass is processed by burning in order to release the chemical energy contained in it, unless biofuel is to be used as fuel.
This type of energy can be used as fuel directly or processed to produce other types of fuel. For example, biodiesel, biogas, and bioethanol depending on the source.
Biomass can truly be renewable and sustainable energy if the amount taken is not greater than the amount produced. The reason is, biomass is still a fuel that takes time to be produced by nature, although the duration itself is indeed faster. If not controlled, the use of biomass can actually damage the environment, as is the case with deforestation in the Amazon region.