Electricity as a source of power for vehicles using non-fossil fuels or BBM (Petroleum Fuel) continues to be sought to be sufficient in Indonesia’s journey towards Net Zero Emission (NZE) in 2060.
Apart from relying on mineral resources which will be used as electric car batteries, one other potential source is hydrogen.
Quoted from the Antara news agency, Indonesia has an abundance of various Natural Resources (SDA), so they must be explored and nothing is left behind in matters of new and renewable energy.
That’s what DR explained. Ir. Agus Purwadi MD, Head of the Electrical Energy Conversion Research Laboratory, Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB).
Hydrogen powered TVS motors. (Rideapart) Currently, the use of hydrogen technology has begun to be developed in Indonesia through the State Electricity Company (PLN). The implementation is the opening of the Hydrogen Refueling Station (HRS) or the first hydrogen filling station in Indonesia.
This was done to minimize the use of imported-based energy into domestic energy. This HRS was formed to enable a shift from the use of fossil energy to clean and environmentally friendly energy, such as electricity and green hydrogen.
Head of the Electric Energy Conversion Research Laboratory, Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) DR. Ir. Agus Purwadi MD said that Indonesia must open all opportunities in the transition period towards Net Zero Emission (NZE) in 2060.
“Indonesia must be open to all options and hydrogen also needs to be explored further. Because our opportunities are very large, “What do we not have at the moment? We have water everywhere, we have gas, and if coal is processed first it can also be a friendlier energy source,” explained DR. Ir. Agus Purwadi MD.
Hydrogen buses used in the Ginza area, Tokyo, Japan. As an illustration of a hydrogen bus [Shutterstock]. By opening up all green energy opportunities towards NZE 2060, Indonesia can become a player in the automotive industry in the future.
While opening up all opportunities and not abandoning current trends, it is hoped that Indonesia will not be dependent on one party.
“If the market trend changes (not in EVs anymore), even though we have all kinds, and our neighbors have explored other energy and we are not ready, then we will be left behind again and we will be spectators again. Even though our potential is extraordinary, ” explained DR. Ir. Agus Purwadi MD.
According to reports from various sources, Critical Minerals for batteries for electric vehicles are still concentrated in China. So many countries are exploring other energies so as not to depend on one country.
Therefore, the use of hydrogen technology is now widely used by producers in various countries. Not only passenger vehicles, hydrogen technology is also used for heavy equipment vehicles.
“For heavy vehicles, hydrogen abroad has already started and here it is new. As for hydrogen itself, Indonesian fertilizer factories are already using it,” he added.
With the presence of HRS in Indonesia, it is hoped that alternative energy exploration will become more intensive. It is not limited to relying on lithium and mineral resources, but opens up opportunities for various alternative renewable energy fuels.