The Energy and Manufacturing Research Organization (OREM) of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) has entered into a collaboration with PT Summit Niaga (Sumitomo Group), PT Santi Group, and Binex Inc. to research and develop environmentally friendly fuel using non-food biomass, particularly sorghum, on Thursday (4/25).
BRIN said in a statement that the collaboration aims to enhance research ecosystem synergy in the energy sector, with a focus on preparing sorghum biomass as a renewable energy source. This research will encompass feasibility studies of sorghum, processing methodologies, economic efficiency, comparisons with other bioenergy sources, emission reduction observations, and designing new generators compatible with sorghum biomass.
Sorghum was chosen due to its high potential as a bioenergy feedstock, reaching heights of up to 5 meters and yielding more biomass compared to regular sorghum.
This collaboration aligns with Indonesia's government commitment to achieving Net Zero Emissions by 2060.
"We cannot achieve this target alone," said Hens Saputra, Head of the Center for Process and Manufacturing Technology Research at BRIN in the statement. "We need partners committed to supporting research until innovation is realized."
PT Summit Niaga, a subsidiary of the Sumitomo Corporation Group, welcomes this collaboration and is committed to supporting Indonesia's decarbonization programs, especially in the electricity sector.
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"We hope to deepen the good relationship between the government and partners," said Hiroshi Horii, Director of Summit Niaga.
Binex Inc., a young company in the green industry, also participates in this collaboration. "Binex cultivates sorghum for carbon dioxide absorption and bioethanol production," said Hiromichi Aoki, CEO of Binex Inc. "We hope to contribute to Indonesia and achieve common goals for a better future."
PT Santi Energi Hijau, part of the SANTI Group, also welcomes this collaboration. "Sorghum can be grown in Indonesia, with approximately 400 hectares in the Sumbawa region," said Yusuf Reza Shahab, Director of the SANTI Group. "Besides being a biomass feedstock, sorghum can also be a food solution in Indonesia."
Haznan Abimanyu, Head of OREM BRIN, stated that this collaboration aligns with the government's goal to develop renewable energy sources.
"Sorghum is also a food source, and sorghum grains can produce single compounds like sugar," Haznan said. "This makes sorghum a highly potential feedstock and can be considered bioenergy."
BRIN hopes this collaboration will open up other cooperation topics in the future, including developing machinery or manufacturing technologies to support biomass utilization in Indonesia.
"After signing this MoU, we expect to conduct joint activities in research focus, its innovation, and enhancing human resources competency," said Haznan.
Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak
