Role of Technology for Energy Development in Indonesia

By : Fachry Frisandi

Information System and Technology, ITB

The issue of global warming has begun to receive the international attention it desperately needs. After
years of effort by dedicated scientists and activists in environment, it found out that the global warming
is caused by the emission of carbon dioxide. Global warming is not “environmental” problem in the
same sense as other environmental problems, it is an energy problem. Almost 90% of the carbon
dioxide gas emission is supplied through the combustion of fossil fuels. And, Most of the combustion
comes from industrial activities and transportation. Energy use and climate change are two sides of the
same coin.

Another problem which also attracts international awareness is energy crisis. The falling of fossil energy
sources which have been used as the main sources of energy is one of the issues. The current energy
crisis has a strong connection to global warming. Both problems are rooted in the unsustainable use of
fossil fuels as our primary energy source. Any safe, sustainable and long-term solution to our energy
crunch is guaranteed to be the right solution for global warming as well.

The energy crisis and global warming are global issues and affect all the country around the globe,
including Indonesia. Indonesia is now struggling with the energy crisis issues. The proposed solution to
the energy problem in Indonesia should be aiming in reduction of dependency in fossil energy. Utilizing
the renewable energy sources and the efficient use of energy are the feasible solutions to Indonesia’s
energy problem. This solution is in line with Indonesia’s potential in renewable energy resources, such
as rich bio diversity, high intensity of sunlight,etc. Indonesia is actually has a high capability to develop
the alternative energy sources, one of them is bio-diesel. Indonesia, which is full of diverse plants, really
has a potential to develop bio-diesel industry. One of the alternative energy can be developed through
the processing of sugarcane to ethanol. The development of the bio-diesel industry can foster rural
economic growth and help provide energy for agricultural development. If produced on a large scale,
this alternative energy source can reduce indonesia’s dependency on fossil fuel and mitigate the impact
of oil price increases.
The advancement of technology in this era also creates opportunity to utilize sunlight and wind as the
alternative sources of energy. Wind and solar energy are among alternative energy sources that are
commonly used in developed country to generate electricity and power. The use of this kind of source
generates energy that is clean and renewable.

The utilization of alternative energy can not stand by itself. It should be supported by the high
commitment of Indonesia government by increasing financial incentives in the research and
development of the alternative energy. Combining strong commitment of the government in the
development of alternative energy and also technology socialization could be the answer to Indonesia’s
energy problem.