Key Takeaways

• Prof. Edy Hartulistiyoso introduced the combined heat, power and product (CHPP) concept to enhance industrial energy efficiency.
• Indonesia’s energy policy aims for 51% renewable energy use and 37% energy efficiency, yet solar energy remains underutilized.
• Innovative technologies like organic rankine cycle (ORC) and ERK can repurpose waste heat and support sustainable energy initiatives.

Innovative Solutions for Energy Efficiency

Amid the growing demand for energy and the need to mitigate emissions, wasted waste heat from industrial processes represents a significant opportunity for energy reuse. Professor Edy Hartulistiyoso from IPB University emphasized the potential of the combined heat, power, and product (CHPP) concept, which allows industries to generate electricity while concurrently producing valuable byproducts, such as biochar and bio-oil.

During a recent Scientific Oration, Prof. Edy highlighted how traditionally overlooked heat can be converted into functional energy and products, showcasing the urgent need for a shift in how thermal energy is perceived and utilized. He pointed out that Indonesia’s thermal energy demand still heavily relies on coal and natural gas, despite the country’s ample renewable energy potential, particularly in solar.

Currently, Indonesia’s national energy policy aims for 51% renewable energy use and 37% energy efficiency by promoting renewable resources. Yet the integration of solar energy remains minimal. Prof. Edy stressed that conversations surrounding energy must extend beyond electricity to include thermal systems utilized in agriculture and fisheries, such as for heating, drying, and cooling processes.

In addition to the CHPP approach, he discussed the organic Rankine cycle (ORC) technology, which enables the recovery of low-temperature heat sources for energy production. Indonesia boasts vast agromaritime resources that can be harnessed for sustainable energy, including options like biomass, geothermal, solar, wind, and ocean energy. Biomass, specifically, can undergo various forms of processing – from direct combustion to biogas and bioethanol – yielding valuable byproducts.

The innovations developed at IPB University, such as the greenhouse effect solar dryer (ERK), have been in use since the 1980s for drying agricultural goods without fossil fuels. Furthermore, solar energy also plays a role in preserving the quality of fishery products through photovoltaic-based cooling systems, improving the economic viability for fishermen.

As global concerns over energy and climate change grow, Prof. Edy advocates for improvements in energy efficiency via technologies like CHPP. These advancements could not only help to reduce harmful emissions but also unlock new economic opportunities from energy that has previously been dismissed as waste.

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