Sunday 3 June 2012

INDONESIA TO STUDY GERMAN TECHNOLOGY OF RENEWABLE ENERGY


            The resources of renewable energy in Indonesia, especially solar energy had the potential of radiation 50 percent higher than the average European states. High solar radiation was in tandem with the potential of market development of solar energy in Indonesia. If the Indonesian Government succeeded in developing solar energy, a state owned company like PLN could sell electricity at competitive price. “The development is not easy. To learn from success story in Germany we needed only 10 years of time to develop. Our technology is now being applied in many parts of the world, especially Southeast Asia” Jan Micael Knack, Project Manager of German Solar Industry Association (BSW Solar) disclosed to Business News (30/4).

            Conducting of the Conference of Renewable Energy Indonesia 2012 (2/5 – 5/5) in Jakarta was the right step because renewable energy had become a pressing necessity; it was not just a matter of restricted fossil energy but also change of climate and also political condition in oil producing countries in the Middle East etc. Oil producer countries in the Middle East were prone to unrest. If the political condition in the Muddle East was turbulent, economy would crumble down. Exploration of fossil energy, especially oil would be threatened hence supply to buyer countries would be obstacle as well.

            “BSW Solar had succeeded in gathering a number of solar energy producers in Germany to come to Jakarta; their response was positive. Now it is up to the Indonesian Government to collaborate” Michael Knack said.

            Some German energy producers joined the conference under the theme of Harnessing the Sun Potential and Challenges on the Indonesian Solar Power Market. The theme was very appropriate, as Indonesia was getting more strategic as emerging market of South East Asia. Economic growth in Southeast Asia was in tandem with growing need for energy for industry and household, yet all of the powerhouses were still using fossil energy. Consequently Indonesia was still dependent on import of oil. A condition as such was contradictory to the potential of renewable energy which was not being tapped to the maximum.

            The geographic condition in Indonesia was that Indonesia was the world’s biggest archipelago, and power generating based on solar energy was most appropriate and indispensable. Photovoltaic Electrification PV which was centralized was most pressing need. The German technical specification was adaptable to a local a condition where solar ray was abundant. Moreover the condition of an archipelago with application of PV technology with solar ray absorbing panel made the process not too difficult. “The application of a German technology in Indonesia could be at nest by using hybrid or minigrid system”.

            Meanwhile PT Pertamina (Persero) expanded their network of outlets for selling Pertamina Dex through gas stations to meet increasing consumers need in line with the growing automotive market. By end of 2010 there were only 46 gas stations serving sales of Pertamina Dex through dispense pumps.

            In line with growing consumers need, this year Pertamina had succeeded in expanding network of Pertamina Dax to 110 SPBU spread out in Greater Jakarta, Banten, West Java, central Java, Yogyakarta, East Java, and South Kalimantan.

            “We have our commitment to step up our services to consumers of Pertamina Dex, among others by continuously developing gas stations network which could serve purchases of one of Pertamina’s premium products “Senior Vice President Fuel Marketing & Distribution Pertamina Djoko Prasetyo told Business News (1/5).

            Pertamina Dex which introduced the concept of “Less Sulphur, More Durable Concept” was a diesel oil product made by Kilang Balongan which in terms of some parameter had met Euro III standard. Pertamina Dex had Cetane Number at least 53 and sulphur content below 300 part per million (ppm), was the right choice to maintain engine performance to the maximum and at the same time more supportive to the environment thanks to its low emission level. At initial launching, Pertamina Dex had sulphur content below 500 ppm. Pertamina continued to develop Pertamina Dex until sulfur content was reduced to 300 ppm, which was the lowest among similar products made in Indonesia today. “This is also an answer to market demand where consumers had growing interest in vehicles using Common Rail System which demanded low sulphur content We are also using additives of the latest generation to keep the engine clean”. Djoko was quoted as saying.

            Pertamina was also engaged in partnership with Bosch a foremost producer of automotive parts in the world which produced clean diesel engines which used low-sulphur diesel fuel. Klaus Land Haeusser, Regional Head (of External Affairs and Governmental Relations) Bosch Southeast Asia stated “Bosch strong ly recommend and encourage development of green automotive technology. Pertamina Dex did not only contribute to the effort of reducing carbon emission, but also very efficient and highly powerful fuel to ensure high performance of vehicles” Besides available at dispenser pumps, Pertamina Dex was also available in packages in 500 certified gas stations. The volume increased against that of Pertamina’s network in 2010 including 350 gas stations.      

Business News, May 4, 2012   

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