AUSTRALIA–INDONESIA JOINT SYMPOSIUM IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Jakarta, 13-17 September 2006
Current and future usage of biofuels in Indonesia
Ir. Soni Solistia Wirawan, Head of Design and System Engineering Center, BPPT
Energy consumption in Indonesia increases rapidly in line with the economic and population growth. Currently, Indonesia is very much dependent on fossil fuel for its energy source. Data of fossil energy reserves from Department of Mine and Energy Resources show that around 63 per cent of the Indonesian’s final energy demand still depends on oil. On the other hand the national oil production facilities are limited and the capacity is decreasing gradually. To satisfy domestic energy consumption, Indonesia still has to import crude oil and finished petroleum products, such as gasoline and diesel fuel. Indonesia becomes very dependent on overseas oil supply to fulfill the increasing demand. The increase of the international crude oil and fuel price may worsen the security of fuel supply.
Developing biofuel is therefore, a must for Indonesia due to various reasons including the abundance availability of raw material, an alternative renewable fuel to strengthen the country energy security and a solution to improve local air pollution in several Indonesian major cities. The presentation gives a review of the background, historical, current and future development of biofuel in Indonesia. It also highlights the opportunities and challenges lie ahead to accelerate the biofuel commercialization program.
Ir. Soni Solistia Wirawan, is a researcher and senior engineer in BRDST-BPPT since 1987. He graduated from Brawijaya University in Mechanical Engineering and obtained his master from Nagaoka University of Technology, Japan in 1998. He has been involved in various projects including Thermal Power Plant and Nuclear Power research. For the past five years he has been involved in biofuel development projects including Research, Engineering and Construction of 1.5 tonnes per day and 8 tonnes per day biodiesel plant. He is also actively involved in the Indonesian Biodiesel forum and becomes a member in various government working groups that formulate Indonesian biofuel policy.
