Enviro News Asia, Jakarta — Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) is accelerating the downstream development of energy research and innovation to help address the needs of communities and industry.
The initiative was highlighted during Energy Week 2026, organized by BRIN’s Research Organization for Energy and Manufacturing (OREM) in Jakarta on September 22.
BRIN Head Arif Satria said energy transition is a key part of Indonesia’s transformation toward a developed economy, alongside food and water security. He said BRIN has a strategic role in developing new and renewable energy technologies and turning research into practical applications.
Indonesia has significant renewable energy potential, including solar, geothermal, wind and bioenergy. Arif said realizing this potential requires collaboration among research institutions, universities, industry, government and communities.
One of BRIN’s innovations is Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) based on Adsorbed Natural Gas (ANG) technology, developed in collaboration with researchers from Kyoto University. The technology is being developed as an alternative gas source for household use and is targeted for broader trials and dissemination in 2027.
BRIN is also strengthening human resources and developing young talent as part of the energy transition. Energy Week 2026 includes the Young Energy Scientist Competition, a high school science competition and a conceptual design competition on Waste to Energy Conversion.
OREM Head Cuk Supriyadi Ali Nandar said Energy Week is being held for the second year and is designed to connect research outputs with industrial needs. This year’s program includes a national seminar, an international seminar held in collaboration with the Embassy of Spain, research exhibitions and competitions for students, university students and professionals.
The forum also addresses challenges related to energy transition, decarbonization and renewable energy utilization. BRIN is encouraging researchers to move technologies beyond the laboratory through testing, demonstration, joint development with industry and wider deployment.
Among the energy technologies being developed by BRIN in 2026 are a 100 GW solar power technology program, battery energy storage systems (BESS), E20 and B50 biofuels, biomass co-firing, geothermal power plant reactivation and waste-to-energy conversion technologies.
Spanish Ambassador to Indonesia Bernardo de Sicart Escoda said Spain’s experience in developing renewable energy could provide opportunities for cooperation with Indonesia. He noted that Spain’s growing renewable energy use has also created demand for stronger electricity grids, energy storage capacity and research investment.
PT PLN (Persero) Director of Technology, Engineering and Sustainability Edwin Nugraha Putra said the company is committed to achieving Net Zero Emissions by 2060 through its Accelerated Renewable Energy Development (ARED) scenario.
He said the energy transition requires expanded transmission networks, financing, supply-chain readiness and cross-sector collaboration.
PLN is also developing a Green Enabling Super Grid to connect renewable energy resources in different regions with electricity demand centers. The infrastructure is intended to support greater renewable energy utilization and meet Indonesia’s growing electricity needs.
Higher Education, Science and Technology Minister Brian Yuliarto said energy independence is another strategic issue that requires research and innovation.
He said reducing dependence on imported fuels can be pursued through electric vehicle development, solar energy utilization, energy diversification and other clean energy sources.
Through Energy Week 2026, BRIN is seeking to strengthen links between energy-sector needs, research capacity and industrial capabilities, with the aim of moving technologies from research and testing toward demonstration, downstream development and wider use by society. (*)
