Indonesia’s National Energy Security in the Era of Industry

At our recent Festival of Engineering and Technology 2.0 (FETO 2.0) Seminar, students of Faculty of Engineering and Technology learned from three (3) distinguished experts in the energy industry. With “National Energy Security 4.0” as the grand theme, the seminar consisted of three interesting talks. Delivered by Lukman Adi Prananto (Vice President of Finance at PT. PP Energi), the first talk was titled “Creative Planning and Financing for Sustainable and Renewable Energy”. As the second speaker, Dr. Eng. Topan Setiadiputra (Chief Engineer and Researcher of BATAN) presented “Replanting Nation’s Dignity”. Lastly, Dr. Eng. Bayu Prabowo (Renewable Energy Specialist and Research Development, Research and Technology Center, PT. Pertamina Persero) presented “Go NewClear for National Energy Security”. Each speaker had his own eye-opening, beneficial knowledge for students. For example, Lukman explained the importance of infrastructure investment in Indonesia. “Some regions in Indonesia that are still lacking proper infrastructure spend more energy costs compared to areas with good infrastructure. As a solution, PT. PP Energi creates a biomass plant community to produce energy subsidies that are environmentally friendly and feasible for people with low infrastructure,” said Lukman. Meanwhile, Bayu told the audience how PT Pertamina Persero strives to achieve its vision to become a world-class energy company. To realize this, his team is actively involved in the bio-fuel development and research. According to him, bio fuel is divided into three generations. The first generation and one half are edible bio fuel sources such as sugar and corn syrup. The next generation is unedible bio-fuel, e.g. coconut shell and corn cob. The latest generation is non-conventional resources, such as algae and mining oil. Several studies from PT Pertamina Persero have produced energy conversion from vegetable oil to diesel fuel and increased co-processing technology for petroleum oil and vegetable oil, he elaborated. On the same occasion, Topan discussed the use of nuclear energy as the last choice to achieve national energy security. He stated that the use of nuclear energy is the last option because of the impact of disasters on the environment and humans in the event of a system failure despite many of its advantages. Lasting for 40 minutes, the panel discussion was led by Dr. Eng. Farid Triawan (head of Mechanical Engineering Study Program at Sampoerna University). The seminar invited approximately 150 participants from other universities and Sampoerna University students. To conclude the event, there was also an announcement of winners of Poster Competition. (*/)