Energy Sector Research Doesn’t Wait for Oil Prices to Rise
Every time oil prices soar, oil and gas imports are the main cause of the trade balance deficit. Thus said the Chairman of IKABI (Indonesian Bioenergy Experts Association), Dr.Tatang Hernas Soerawidjaja in the 2018 IKABI Workshop at Salak Tower Hotel, Bogor, Thursday (2/8). Furthermore, he said, vegetable oils such as palm oil, palm kernel and coconut are relatively very easily processed into Biofuels (BBN) or renewable hydrocarbons (biohydrocarbons) such as green diesel, bioavtur and vegetable gasoline. "Indonesia is the world's largest producer of palm oil. This is a huge potential," he explained.
The same was conveyed by the Head of the Research Center for Surfactants and Bioenergy, Institute for Research and Community Service, Bogor Agricultural Institute (SBRC LPPM IPB) who is also the Deputy Chairperson of IKABI, Prof. Dr. Erliza Hambali. "In order not to always be troubled every time the price of petroleum soars, the Indonesian government need to consistently develop the national biohydrocarbon biofuel industry. Besides the existing biodiesel industry. The government should continue to develop and provide full research support in the fields of energy and biomaterials to increase production "Bioenergy, biobattery, and bio / super capacitors and bioenergy storage technology," he explained.
According to him, the development must continue despite the low oil price. Unlike now, when petroleum prices are low, almost all stakeholders are silent. When the price of petroleum creeps up, only then they concerned with the research.
Furthermore, Prof. Erliza said that imports of crude oil and its products are around 780 thousand barrels per day. "With crude oil prices now around USD 70 per barrel, Indonesia's foreign exchange is depleted by around USD 55 million per day, equivalent to IDR 792 billion per day or around IDR 289 trillion per year only for the import of BBM."
As a non-government organization that accommodates various bioenergy experts from various institutions, including academics, business, government and individuals, IKABI routinely facilitates meetings in an annual workshop to discuss the development status of national energy conditions and discuss problem solving solutions to provide input and recommendations to the government on the direction policy and research and development of bioenergy technology in the future. (RYS)
