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Indonesia is blessed with an abundant water energy potential. From powerful river currents to vast oceans, all hold tremendous power waiting to be harnessed.

But can this potential really become a reliable energy source for the future? Let’s take a closer look at the opportunities and challenges ahead.

What is Hydropower?

Hydropower is one of the oldest and most reliable renewable energy sources known to humans. It utilizes the power of moving water, whether from rivers, waterfalls, or ocean waves, and converts it into electricity.

To generate electricity, water’s kinetic or potential energy is first transformed into mechanical energy and then into electrical energy.

The amount of rainfall flowing into rivers in a given area largely determines the availability of water for power generation. That’s why seasonal changes and rainfall patterns play a critical role in hydropower production.

Read More: The Difference Between Renewable and Non-Renewable Energy

How Does Hydropower Generate Electricity?

Converting flowing water into electricity involves an energy conversion process and several key components that enable this principle to function.

The Basic Principle of Energy Conversion

A Hydroelectric Power Plant works by converting potential energy (from water at height) and kinetic energy (from flowing water) into electrical energy. The greater the height difference and the higher the water flow rate, the more power is generated.

The process begins when water from a reservoir flows through a high-pressure pipeline called a penstock. The water flow spins a turbine, which converts the water’s energy into mechanical energy.

The turbine is connected to a generator, which then converts mechanical energy into electricity. Finally, the electricity is distributed through power grids for use.

Main Components of a Hydroelectric Plant

A typical hydropower plant consists of several key components:

• Dam and Reservoir: To store water and regulate a steady supply.
• Penstock (Pressure Pipe): Channels high-pressure water to the turbine.
• Turbine: Converts water energy into mechanical energy by spinning.
• Generator: Converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.
• Tailrace: Returns water to the river after passing through the turbine.

With these components working together, water energy can be harnessed efficiently to produce electricity.

Read More: 7 Impacts of Deforestation That Threaten Us All

Different Ways to Harness Water Energy

According to data from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources in 2023, hydropower in Indonesia has been utilized through Large-Scale Hydropower Plants and Micro-Hydropower Plants.

In addition, Indonesia still holds significant potential to develop other forms of water-based energy, such as Tidal Power Plants.

Hydropower Plants

Large-scale Hydropower Plant facilities use dams to create reservoirs that store large volumes of water. This water is then channeled through turbines to generate electricity.

A Hydropower Plant is well-suited for supplying energy to urban areas and industrial zones due to its high capacity.

Micro-Hydropower Plants

Micro-Hydropower Plants operate on a smaller scale than Hydropower Plant, typically without large dams. These systems utilize river flows or irrigation channels to drive mini turbines.

This technology is ideal for remote areas not yet connected to the national electricity grid. In addition to being relatively low-cost and environmentally friendly, Micro-Hydropower Plants offer a sustainable, self-sufficient energy solution for villages or small communities.

Tidal Power Plants

Tidal energy harnesses the movement of seawater caused by tidal cycles. Tidal Power Plants are generally built in bays or estuaries with specialized structures that direct seawater through turbines.

Its advantage lies in the regular and predictable tidal patterns, which enable stable energy production. However, this technology remains relatively expensive and is only effective in regions with significant tidal range.

Read More: Is Biogas Truly Eco-Friendly or a New Challenge?

Challenges in Implementing Hydropower

Although hydropower is clean and sustainable, its implementation faces several major challenges.

Large-scale hydropower projects often disrupt river ecosystems by altering water flows, damaging aquatic habitats, and degrading downstream land quality.

In some cases, they can lead to community displacement, affecting local social structures and cultural heritage.

Additionally, initial investment costs are extremely high, and construction can take years to complete.

A water-based power supply is also highly dependent on the climate. Droughts can reduce reservoir levels, limiting electricity production.

This dependency makes hydropower less flexible in responding to fluctuations in energy demand.

Read More: Is Transportation Really the Most Energy-Consuming Sector? Here’s the Truth

LNG as a Solution to Hydropower’s Limitations

Hydropower is a clean renewable energy source, but its reliance on rainfall and river flow poses challenges, especially during dry seasons when generation capacity drops. This is where a stable backup energy source becomes crucial.

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) serves as a transitional solution to maintain energy reliability while complementing renewables.

LNG is natural gas cooled to about -162°C to convert it into liquid form, making it easier to transport and store in large quantities.

With well-established infrastructure, LNG can be distributed to various regions, including those hard to reach by other energy networks. Its key advantages include:

• Stable supply
• Flexible distribution
• Lower emissions compared to coal

LNG isn’t just an alternative, it’s a strategic solution for a cleaner, more stable, and efficient energy future.

References:

• EIA. Accessed in 2025. Hydropower Explained
• US Department of Energy. Accessed in 2025. How Hydropower Works
• US Department of Energy. Accessed in 2025. Addressing Energy-Water Challenges
• Kementerian ESDM. Accessed in 2025. Percepat Upaya Transisi Energi, Menteri ESDM Dorong Pemanfaatan Tenaga Hidro

Cryogenic tanks play a vital role in the LNG supply chain. Beyond ensuring smooth distribution, this technology keeps LNG in its liquid state, enabling it to be transported over thousands of kilometers.

That’s why these tanks are a key pillar of global energy security. Curious why their role is so crucial? Let’s dive in.

What Is a Cryogenic Tank?

A cryogenic tank is a specialized container designed to store and transport materials at extremely low temperatures, typically below −150°C (−238°F).

At such frigid temperatures, gases like nitrogen, oxygen, argon, helium, or LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) remain in liquid form, drastically reducing their volume and making them easier to transport.

The liquefaction process doesn’t happen inside the tank. It’s done in dedicated liquefaction facilities. Once the gas has been converted into a liquid, the cryogenic tank’s job is to maintain the correct temperature and pressure so it doesn’t revert to gas.

To withstand such extreme conditions, the tank walls are made from low-temperature-resistant materials such as stainless steel, 9% nickel steel alloy, or aluminum alloy, combined with advanced thermal insulation layers.

This design prevents external heat from entering and keeps cryogenic liquids stable during both storage and transport.

Read More: The Potential of LNG as Train Fuel: Is It More Efficient?

How Do Cryogenic Tanks Work?

Cryogenic tanks store liquids at extremely low temperatures to keep them in liquid form. For example, liquid nitrogen, liquid oxygen, liquid argon, liquid helium, or LNG are stored between −150°C and −269°C, depending on the substance.

Storing these gases as liquids is far more efficient than in gaseous form, as the volume can shrink hundreds of times.

The key to a cryogenic tank’s function is minimizing heat ingress and controlling internal pressure.

That’s why most tanks feature a double-wall design consisting of:

• Inner wall
• Outer wall
• Vacuum space

The inner wall, which is in direct contact with the cryogenic liquid, is made from low-temperature-resistant materials, typically nickel steel or aluminum alloy.

The outer wall provides mechanical protection against impacts and weather.

The space between the walls is vacuum-sealed and often filled with insulating materials like perlite or multi-layer insulation. This vacuum space blocks heat transfer through conduction and convection.

With proper insulation, cryogenic liquids can remain stable for months with a very low boil-off rate. This ensures the gas doesn’t evaporate before it’s needed for use in medical, energy, or research industries.

Read More: 7 Organic Wastes That Produce Energy

The Key Roles of Cryogenic Tanks in LNG

Cryogenic tanks are critical components in the LNG supply chain, not just to keep LNG cold and liquid, but also to ensure it’s stored and transported safely.

LNG Storage

Cryogenic tanks are designed to keep LNG at around −162°C. Liquefying LNG reduces its volume to about 1/600 of its original gaseous volume, making it far more efficient to store in large quantities.

Large-capacity LNG storage tanks are typically used at liquefaction plants and receiving terminals. They maintain low boil-off rates so LNG can be stored for weeks or even months, ready to meet industrial or power generation needs whenever required.

Read More: The Truth Behind Biogas: Sustainable Energy or Hidden Risk?

LNG Transportation

Cryogenic tanks are essential for transporting LNG both on land and at sea. Cryogenic tank trucks handle short- to medium-distance deliveries, while LNG carriers transport hundreds of thousands of cubic meters across international waters.

These tanks are built from materials that can withstand extreme cold, minimizing natural boil-off during transit so that LNG arrives at its destination in optimal volume.

LNG Distribution and Terminals

At LNG receiving terminals, cryogenic tanks act as buffers between incoming shipments and end-user demand.

After LNG is unloaded from a ship, it’s stored in massive cryogenic tanks with capacities in the hundreds of thousands of cubic meters. From there, LNG is pumped to regasification facilities where it’s warmed back into gaseous form before being fed into pipeline networks.

LNG terminals equipped with cryogenic tanks serve as vital nodes in the global energy supply chain by:

• Ensuring a stable supply despite demand fluctuations or shipment schedules
• Enabling LNG imports for countries without natural gas reserves
• Supporting energy diversification and boosting national energy security

In addition to onshore terminals, there are also Floating Storage Regasification Units (FSRUs), which serve as offshore floating terminals.

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Types of Cryogenic Tanks for LNG

LNG cryogenic tanks are generally categorized by their load-bearing structure and installation method. Common types include:

Single Containment Tank (SCT)

The most common type is due to its lower cost and faster construction time. It has an inner nickel-alloy wall to handle cryogenic temperatures and an outer carbon steel wall to contain low-pressure vapor.

However, SCTs lack a secondary internal barrier, so leaks could release vapor directly into the environment.

Read More: Renewable vs Non-Renewable Energy: Here’s the Real Difference!

Double Containment Tank (DCT)

An SCT upgrade, the DCT has an additional outer wall (without a roof) to contain LNG spills. This design provides better protection and greater resilience to external hazards.

Full Containment Tank (FCT)

The safest LNG tank design, both the outer wall and roof can contain spills and gas vapor. The downside: it’s the most expensive and time-consuming to build.

Read More: The Pros and Cons of Using Coal for Energy

Above-Ground & In-Ground Tanks

Above-ground tanks are constructed above the surface and are the most common choice due to their simpler construction and relatively lower building costs.

This type is widely used in large-scale LNG facilities such as:

• Qatar LNG Plant (Ras Laffan)
• Gorgon LNG Project (Australia)
• Sabine Pass LNG Terminal (United States)

In contrast, in-ground tanks are embedded below the surface and equipped with three protective layers to withstand pressure, extreme temperatures, and shock.

This design offers enhanced protection against earthquakes and potential external threats, making it suitable for disaster-prone regions. Examples of implementation include:

• Tokyo Gas LNG Terminal (Japan)
• KOGAS LNG Terminal (South Korea)
• Taiwan LNG Terminal (Taichung)

Cryogenic tanks are more than just containers. They’re the backbone that keeps LNG safe, mobile, and ready for use at any time.

This technology ensures uninterrupted energy flow, strengthening energy security while enabling a more reliable global energy trade.

References:

• BCGA. Accessed 2025. Cryogenic Tanks
• Sngastank. Accessed 2025. How Cryogenic Storage Tanks Work

Whether we realize it or not, many everyday products, from fuel to plastics, come from the same source: crude oil.

Turning crude oil into valuable products requires a complex and lengthy process. In this article, we’ll break down everything about crude oil: how it’s formed, its types, and how it’s processed.

What Is Petroleum?

Crude oil, or petroleum, is a naturally occurring mixture of hydrocarbons found in the Earth’s crust, usually as a thick liquid that is black or dark brown in color.

It’s formed from the remains of ancient organisms such as plankton and plants that were buried millions of years ago.

Crude oil is highly energy-dense, easy to transport, and extremely versatile. That’s why it has become the main energy source for transportation, industry, and even power generation.

Crude oil is usually found in underground reservoirs within porous sedimentary rocks or near the surface as oil sands.

Once extracted, crude oil is sent to refineries where it is processed into various products such as gasoline, diesel, LPG, and raw materials for the petrochemical industry.

Read More: The Negative Environmental Impacts of Crude Oil

How Is Crude Oil Formed?

Crude oil doesn’t form overnight. It takes millions of years for organic remains to turn into the fuel we use today. Here’s how it happens:

Geological Process

The process starts with ancient organisms that lived hundreds of millions of years ago. When they died, their remains settled on the ocean floor and mixed with mud and sediments.

Over time, under high pressure and heat deep within the Earth, these remains transformed into hydrocarbons, which we now call crude oil.

Time Required

This transformation doesn’t happen quickly. It takes millions of years for pressure and heat to break down organic material into oil.

Because of this slow process, crude oil is classified as a non-renewable resource, meaning it depletes much faster than it forms.

Read More: The Best Eco-Friendly Alternatives to Crude Oil

Types of Crude Oil

Not all crude oil is the same. Crude extracted from one region can have different characteristics from that from another due to chemical composition and geological conditions.

Generally, crude oil is classified based on two main factors:

• Sulfur content (sweet vs. sour)
• Density or API gravity (light vs. heavy)

Here’s what they mean:

Sweet Crude Oil

Contains low sulfur (less than 0.5%), making it easier to refine and ideal for producing high-quality gasoline and diesel.

Sour Crude Oil

Has high sulfur content, requiring additional refining to remove sulfur. This makes processing more complex and expensive.

Light Crude Oil

Has low density (high API gravity) and contains more light fractions like gasoline and diesel, making it highly desirable for transportation fuels.

Heavy Crude Oil

Thicker and denser (low API gravity), harder to extract and refine, often needing upgrading before use as fuel. However, heavy crude is commonly used for products like asphalt and lubricants.

Read More: The Main Causes of Climate Change

How Is Crude Oil Refined?

Crude oil from wells can’t be used directly because it’s a complex mixture of hydrocarbons. It must be separated and purified in refineries through several processes.

This is what turns “black gold” into fuels and essential products for modern life.

Fractional Distillation

The first step is fractional distillation, which separates oil components based on boiling points. Here’s how it works:

• Crude oil is heated until most components vaporize.
• Vapors enter a fractionating column with trays at different temperatures.
• Vapors condense on trays according to their boiling points and are collected as separate fractions.

Examples of fractions:

• Gases (LPG) – lowest boiling point
• Gasoline
• Kerosene
• Diesel
• Lubricating oils
• Asphalt – heaviest fraction

Advanced Processes

Distillation alone isn’t enough to meet market demand. Modern refineries use additional processes like:

• Cracking: Breaks large molecules into smaller ones (e.g., converting heavy oil into gasoline).
• Catalytic Reforming: Increases gasoline octane rating.
• Desulfurization: Removes sulfur to make fuel cleaner and more environmentally friendly.

These processes ensure efficiency and compliance with quality standards.

End Products

Refined oil products include:

• Transportation fuels: gasoline, diesel, jet fuel
• Household needs: LPG
• Lubricants and industrial oils
• Asphalt for road construction
• Petrochemical feedstocks: plastics, synthetic fibers, detergents

Read More: Decarbonization, Why the World Must Shift to Clean Energy?

Challenges of Using Crude Oil

Burning crude oil produces greenhouse gases that accelerate global warming and climate change. It also releases pollutants like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, causing air pollution and acid rain.

Extraction, transportation, and refining pose risks such as oil spills that damage marine ecosystems and contaminate water sources.

As reserves are limited, companies are pushed to explore extreme locations, increasing costs and environmental risks.

Read More: The Crucial Role of Alternative Electricity Sources in Shaping Our Future

LNG: The Best Alternative to Crude Oil Today

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is natural gas cooled to about -162°C for easier transport and storage.

LNG is considered cleaner than crude oil because it emits less CO₂ and air pollutants during processing.

Its infrastructure is well-established, with LNG terminals, cryogenic tankers, and regasification facilities widely available, making LNG utilization efficient.

LNG’s advantages go beyond cleaner emissions. It also offers abundant reserves, transport flexibility, and price stability.

These characteristics make LNG a strategic solution for energy security and a concrete step toward a more sustainable energy future.

References:

• EIA. Accessed 2025. Oil and Petroleum Products Explained
• Epicorp. Accessed 2025. Petroleum Fractional Distillation Steps and Importance
• ESDM. Accessed 2025. Minyak dan Gas Bumi Terbentuk Jutaan Tahun