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The growing energy demand has pushed us to look for sustainable alternative sources. One of the best options for the future is shifting to New and Renewable Energy (NRE).

This energy source has the potential to replace fossil fuels and is considered far cleaner in terms of emissions. But is it ready to become the main energy source today? Let’s find out.

What Is NRE (New and Renewable Energy)?

NRE refers to energy sources derived from nature or technology that can be utilized sustainably.

These energy sources are more environmentally friendly and serve as an alternative to fossil fuels.

In short, NRE consists of two categories:

• New Energy: Energy produced using advanced technologies, such as nuclear energy and hydrogen.
• Renewable Energy: Energy from natural resources that are replenished naturally and sustainably.

The key advantage of renewable energy is its abundance and relatively low environmental impact, making it a solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address the global energy crisis.

Here are some examples of renewable energy:

• Solar Energy: Harnessing sunlight to generate electricity or heat.
• Wind Energy: Using wind power to turn turbines.
• Hydropower: Utilizing water flow from rivers or dams to generate electricity.
• Biomass: Derived from organic materials such as agricultural waste or organic trash.
• Geothermal Energy: Using heat from within the earth to generate power.
• Ocean Energy: Harnessing waves, tides, or currents to produce energy.

With proper utilization, NRE has huge potential to support the clean energy transition and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

Read More: Why Alternative Energy Sources Are Crucial for Our Future!

What Are the Benefits of New and Renewable Energy?

Adopting new and renewable energy brings numerous benefits—environmental, economic, and energy independence. Here are the main advantages:

Eco-Friendly

Renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydropower produce far fewer carbon emissions than fossil fuels.

By reducing coal and oil consumption, we can significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions, the leading cause of climate change and air pollution. This means cleaner air, better human health, and preserved ecosystems.

Read More: The Truth About Biogas, Eco-Friendly Solution or New Problem?

Unlimited Energy Supply

One of the biggest advantages of renewable energy is its unlimited and sustainable nature. Resources like sunlight, wind, and water are always available and can be used continuously without the fear of depletion.

This stands in stark contrast to fossil fuels, which are finite and rapidly depleting. Investing in renewables is also safer in the long run because it doesn’t rely on fluctuating oil prices.

Boosts Energy Independence

Developing renewable energy domestically reduces dependence on imported fossil fuels. This not only minimizes risks from global price volatility but also improves economic stability.

Moreover, NRE development creates new jobs in green technology, construction, and infrastructure maintenance, supporting sustainable economic growth.

Read More: Factors Driving Increased Electricity Demand in the Modern Era

Challenges in Implementing NRE

Indonesia has enormous potential for developing new and renewable energy, but its adoption still faces various challenges. Here are the main obstacles:

Limited Infrastructure

Developing NRE requires adequate infrastructure, such as reliable transmission and distribution networks.

Currently, many solar power plants and wind power plants are located in remote areas far from electricity load centers. Examples include:

• A solar power plant in Sumba Island, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia.
• The Sidrap wind power plant is located in Sidenreng Rappang Regency, South Sulawesi, Indonesia.
• The Jeneponto wind power plant in South Sulawesi, situated in a coastal area far from industrial hubs.

As a result, the energy produced is difficult to distribute efficiently.

Without network upgrades and supporting technology, Indonesia’s abundant NRE potential cannot be fully optimized, slowing down energy transition and energy security efforts.

Read More: 5 Signs of Global Warming Getting Worse

High Upfront Investment

Building renewable energy plants is still relatively expensive compared to fossil-fuel-based plants.

Although operational costs are lower in the long run, the large initial investment discourages many investors.

There are also issues with non-competitive electricity pricing and complex permitting processes, which further hinder NRE development.

Intermittent Supply

Each type of renewable energy has supply characteristics that are influenced by natural conditions, resulting in challenges related to intermittency or instability in electricity supply. For example:

• Solar energy is only available when the sun is shining, so its production decreases at night or during cloudy weather. 
• Wind energy depends on wind speed and consistency. 
• Hydropower remains vulnerable to fluctuations in water flow due to dry seasons, flooding, or climate change. 
• Biomass energy relies heavily on the availability of organic feedstock and efficient logistics for material collection. 
• Geothermal energy is limited to locations with geothermal potential. 
• Marine energy, such as wave and tidal power, depends on lunar cycles and extreme weather conditions. 

This dependency causes renewable energy supply to be variable and not yet fully reliable as a sole energy source.

To address intermittency, supporting technologies such as energy storage systems, smart grids, and digitalization of the electricity system are required.

Read More: The Complete Process of Global Warming, From Start to Impact

LNG: A Stable and Efficient Transition Fuel

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is natural gas cooled to around -162°C, making it easier to store and transport to different locations.

One of LNG’s key advantages is supply stability. Unlike solar or wind energy, which depend on weather and are intermittent, LNG can provide consistent energy 24/7.

This makes LNG a reliable source to meet basic energy needs, especially in countries transitioning from fossil fuels to renewables.

Compared to coal, LNG produces significantly lower emissions, making it a cleaner alternative for power generation. This is why LNG is often seen as a transitional energy source toward a greener system.

With its stable supply and efficient transport, LNG remains one of the best options to support the current energy transition.

References:

• Kemhan. Accessed 2025. New and Renewable Energy
• ESDM. Accessed 2025. Government Confident of Achieving 23% NRE Target by 2025
• EIA. Accessed 2025. Renewable Energy Explained

As a tropical country, Indonesia has abundant renewable energy potential, especially solar energy. This energy source is considered more environmentally friendly compared to coal and petroleum because it doesn’t produce greenhouse gas emissions.

But is solar energy ready to replace fossil fuels as the primary energy source? Let’s explore the facts and the challenges in transitioning to clean energy.

What Is Solar Energy?

Solar energy comes from the sun’s radiation in the form of light and heat. It’s one of the most abundant renewable energy sources on Earth.

One of its biggest advantages is that it’s renewable and eco-friendly. As long as the sun shines, this energy source will never run out.

Using solar energy also produces zero greenhouse gas emissions during operation, making it a key solution in the fight against climate change.

Read More: 5 Benefits of Solar Energy You Won’t Get from Fossil Fuels

How to Convert Solar Energy into Electricity?

To harness sunlight and turn it into electricity, there are a few principles you need to understand and some components that need to be in place.

How Solar Panels Work

Solar panels operate based on the photovoltaic effect, where sunlight energy is absorbed by semiconductor materials, resulting in the release of electrons.

When photons from sunlight strike the surface of a solar cell, their energy disrupts the position of electrons within the semiconductor atoms, allowing the electrons to move freely and generate direct current (DC) electricity.

This is the fundamental principle behind the conversion of solar energy into electricity used in solar panel technology.

Key Components of a Solar Power System

A typical solar power system consists of:

• Solar Panels: Capture sunlight and convert it into DC electricity.
• Inverter: Converts DC electricity into AC so it’s compatible with household appliances.
• Battery: Used in off-grid or hybrid systems to store excess energy for use at night or during cloudy weather.
• Distribution System: Delivers electricity to your devices.

With these components, solar energy can effectively power homes and businesses while reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

Read More: The Most Harmful Effects of Air Pollution on Health and the Environment

Challenges in Implementing Solar Energy

Although Indonesia has huge potential for solar power, there are still some challenges, including:

Dependence on Weather and Location

Solar energy heavily relies on sunlight. Power generation completely stops at night, and during cloudy weather, output can drop by 10–25% from its normal capacity.

Geographic location also matters. While Indonesia generally enjoys good sunlight exposure, areas with heavy rainfall or long rainy seasons may see reduced energy production.

High Upfront Costs

The installation of solar power systems, including panels, inverters, batteries, and labor, remains a major barrier.

Although the cost of solar panels has dropped significantly over the past decade, the initial investment is still relatively high. Many people also worry about the long payback period.

Limited Energy Storage

To ensure a stable supply at night or during bad weather, energy storage is essential. However, battery technology is still expensive, has limited capacity, and a relatively short lifespan.

This makes the overall cost of solar systems even higher, adding financial pressure for consumers.

Read More: Why Cutting Carbon Emissions Is Crucial for Earth’s Future

Is Solar Energy Ready to Replace Fossil Fuels?

Solar energy is often seen as a top candidate to replace fossil fuels. In terms of availability and environmental impact, it’s clearly superior, renewable and emission-free during use.

However, a complete switch from fossil fuels to solar energy is not easy and won’t happen overnight.

One major challenge is supply stability. Solar power still can’t fully replace fossil fuels because the infrastructure and distribution networks aren’t fully ready yet. Unlike fossil fuels, which can be used anytime, solar energy depends on sunlight.

Furthermore, the sheer scale of global energy demand presents another significant obstacle. Fossil fuel infrastructure is already well-established and widely accessible.

Read More: Cheap but Risky! The Pros and Cons of Coal Energy

LNG: A More Ready Alternative for Now

LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) is natural gas cooled into liquid form for easier storage and transportation.

As an alternative energy source, LNG is currently more ready than renewables like solar. The global LNG supply network is already well-developed, with terminals in various countries and a fleet of tanker ships.

Its main advantage is transportation flexibility. LNG can be shipped anywhere, unlike solar energy, which depends on specific geographic conditions.

From an infrastructure and distribution standpoint, LNG can replace fossil fuels like coal and oil, making it a strategic transition fuel.

Compared to coal, LNG produces 40–50% less carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions when burned, helping reduce emissions in the short term.

Not only does it provide a stable power supply, but LNG is also considered a cleaner energy source

References:

• ESDM. Accessed 2025. Solar Power Plants in Indonesia
• NREL. Accessed 2025. Solar Energy Basics
• IRENA. Accessed 2025. Solar PV Supply Chains: Technical and ESG Standards for Market Integration

Fuel plays a crucial role in industry, transportation, and households. However, before it’s ready to use, it must go through a long and complex process at a facility known as a refinery.

Curious about how it works and what products are produced besides fuel? Let’s dive in.

What Is a Refinery?

A refinery is a facility that processes crude oil into various ready-to-use products with higher commercial value.

Crude oil pumped directly from the ground cannot be used as-is. It needs to undergo separation, purification, and hydrocarbon molecule modification.

The main function of a refinery is to act as the “heart” of the energy industry, ensuring a stable supply of fuel for transportation, industry, and households.

Over time, refineries have evolved from simple distillation units to complex modern facilities. While early refineries focused on producing kerosene, modern technology allows refineries to process crude oil more efficiently and produce a wide variety of products.

Read More: The Benefits of Alternative Energy Over Fossil Fuels

How Does the Crude Oil Refining Process Work?

Before it can be used, crude oil must go through a series of long and complex processes to produce various products. Here are the main stages:

Fractional Distillation

Distillation separates heavy fractions, such as lubricating oil. These heavy fractions have very high boiling points at atmospheric pressure, usually around 375–400°C, meaning direct heating can damage hydrocarbon molecules.

To prevent this, distillation is carried out under reduced pressure using a vacuum pump. Lowering the pressure also lowers the boiling point, allowing heavy fractions to vaporize and separate without reaching excessively high temperatures.

This process produces products that cannot be obtained through atmospheric distillation, such as lubricants, waxes, and residues, which are then further processed into high-value products like engine oil, grease, and petrochemical feedstock.

Read More: 7 Impacts of Deforestation That Threaten Our Future

Crude Oil Conversion

Conversion processes aim to transform heavy oil fractions into lighter, higher-value products, such as gasoline. There are three main techniques at this stage:

• Cracking
• Reforming
• Alkylation

Cracking breaks large hydrocarbon molecules into smaller ones. It can be done thermally (using high heat and pressure) or catalytically (using catalysts to lower the temperature and improve selectivity).

Reforming converts straight-chain naphtha (paraffins) into branched molecules (isoparaffins) and aromatic compounds. This increases the octane value of gasoline without changing the carbon chain length.

Alkylation combines light hydrocarbons, such as isobutane and butylene, into larger isoparaffin molecules. Alkylation products have very high octane values and are essential components in gasoline blends.

Treating (Purification)

Treating removes unwanted impurities from oil fractions to improve the final product quality and ensure fuels or petrochemicals are safe to use.

This process eliminates compounds that can reduce product performance or cause problems, such as unpleasant odors, sludge, metals, and polyaromatic compounds.

Read More: 5 Industries That Have Moved On to LNG

Blending and Storage

Blending is the final stage of oil processing, where products from distillation, conversion, and purification are mixed in precise proportions.

The goal is to produce final products like gasoline, diesel, or jet fuel that meet strict quality specifications, including octane rating, cetane number, vapor pressure, and viscosity.

Modern additives such as MTBE, ETBE, or alcohol are used to boost gasoline octane.

After blending, the final products are stored in large tanks designed to maintain quality and prevent contamination. From there, fuels are distributed by tanker trucks, trains, or ships to depots, filling stations, or directly to industries.

Read More: 5 Ways to Tackle Global Warming and Save the Planet’s Future

What Products Are Produced by a Refinery?

Refinery products are divided into two main categories: transportation fuels and non-fuel products.

Transportation Fuels

The main products of a refinery include:

• Gasoline: For motor vehicles, with quality measured by octane rating.
• Diesel: For trucks, buses, and heavy machinery, measured by cetane number.
• Jet fuel (aviation turbine fuel): High-performance fuel meeting strict safety standards.

Non-Fuel Products

Refineries also produce various non-fuel products essential for industry, such as:

• LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas): Used for household cooking gas and industrial purposes.
• Asphalt: Used as a binder in road construction and roofing.
• Petrochemical feedstocks: Naphtha is converted into ethylene, propylene, and benzene, which serve as raw materials for plastics, synthetic fibers, detergents, and fertilizers.

Read More: Is Transportation Truly the Biggest Energy Consumer?

Refinery vs. Natural Gas Processing

Refineries process crude oil into ready-to-use products like gasoline, diesel, asphalt, and LPG. The main process is fractional distillation, followed by conversion and treating to improve product quality.

Natural gas processing purifies raw natural gas by removing impurities and non-methane hydrocarbons. The purified gas can be distributed via pipelines or liquefied into LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) using cryogenic technology at around -162°C for easier transport.

The key difference lies in purpose and products. Refineries break down heavy crude molecules to produce fuels and petrochemicals. Meanwhile, gas processing purifies natural gas by removing impurities, enabling the production of LNG through a subsequent stage of cooling or liquefaction.

From a clean energy and environmental perspective, LNG is considered more eco-friendly than refinery fuels. It produces lower carbon emissions when burned and fewer pollutants, making it a better option in the transition toward cleaner energy.

References:

• API. Accessed 2025. Refinery Processes
• EIA. Accessed 2025. Oil and Petroleum Products Explained