Jakarta, INTI - Strengthening the downstream application of research and innovation in the sustainable transportation and clean energy sectors became a key focus during the Industrial Talk session at the International Conference on Sustainable Energy Engineering and Application (ICSEEA) 2026 held at Hotel Trembesi BSD, Serpong, on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. The annual conference, organized by the Energy and Manufacturing Research Organization (OREM) under the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), brought together industry players, regulators, and experts to discuss the readiness of applied technologies and the challenges of implementing green energy in Indonesia.
Budi Rachmawan, Head of Green Energy Project Development at Tripatra, stated that his company is developing environmentally friendly fuels, particularly Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) derived from palm oil waste and biomass. According to him, Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) technology is already commercially ready, while other technologies such as Alcohol-to-Jet (ATG), Gasification-to-Fuel (GFT), and Power-to-Liquid (PtL) still require further development.
“The main challenges for HEFA lie in the availability of feedstock, the efficiency of the processing, and the traceability of waste to meet international standards,” said Budi. He emphasized that Indonesia has a significant opportunity to become a key player in the global SAF market while driving the decarbonization of the transportation sector.
On the electric vehicle side, Patia Junjungan Maningdo, Mentor for the Young Expert Team on Battery-Based Electric Vehicles (KLBB) at the Ministry of Industry, noted that Indonesia’s electric vehicle industry continues to grow, particularly for cars, motorcycles, and buses. Dozens of industries are already operating with substantial investment values.
“The market share of electric vehicles continues to increase, while hybrid vehicles still serve as a bridge during the transition period,” said Patia.
She added that the biggest challenge in developing electric vehicles is building an integrated battery supply chain, including recycling technologies. The government, she said, encourages industrial collaboration through regulations and joint venture schemes to ensure Indonesia can compete in the global market.
Energy Independence and Sustainable Transport
Meanwhile, Deputy Director of Technical Cooperation for Energy Conservation at the Directorate General of New, Renewable Energy, and Energy Conservation (EBTKE), Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Hendro Gunawan, emphasized the importance of energy independence and decarbonization as part of the sustainable development agenda. In the transportation sector, the government is promoting the use of electric vehicles, biofuels, hydrogen, and ammonia across land, sea, and air transportation.
“The sustainable biofuel program is already mandatory, while electric vehicle infrastructure continues to be developed, from charging stations to battery factories,” he said.
The government is also encouraging the adoption of biofuels and hybrid ships in the maritime sector, as well as sustainable aviation fuels, utilizing local resources such as palm oil waste and used cooking oil.
Sustainability Challenges in Mining
Sustainability issues are also prominent in the mining sector. Budiawansyah, Director and Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer at PT Vale Indonesia, stated that the nickel industry faces complex environmental and social challenges, particularly due to mining operations located near sensitive areas.
“Sustainability is not just a requirement, but a foundation for long-term operations,” he said.
He noted that over 70 percent of PT Vale’s energy consumption is used for smelting processes. To reduce emissions, the company utilizes a hydroelectric power plant in Sorowako capable of supplying all the energy needs of the smelter, and implements new technologies such as High Pressure Acid Leach (HPAL).
On the supporting technology for electric vehicles, Yuta Kaneko from PT Hioki Electric Indonesia highlighted the importance of precise measurement of high-speed inverter power. According to him, discrepancies between simulations and measurements often occur due to energy losses at high frequencies that are not yet adequately detected.
“Accurate measurement is key to producing more efficient and sustainable motors and inverters,” said Yuta.
Conclusion
Indonesia is actively advancing its sustainable energy and transportation sectors through a combination of government policies, industrial innovation, and technological development. From promoting biofuels, electric vehicles, and hybrid ships to implementing renewable energy in mining operations, these initiatives aim to achieve energy independence, decarbonization, and sustainable growth. Strategic collaboration between government, industry, and technology providers ensures that the country can overcome challenges while maximizing the benefits of green energy and sustainable mobility.
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