This Is The Reason Why The Government Is Called The Need To Improve Geothermal Exploration Data

YOGYAKARTA - The government needs to improve the quality of data on the exploration of geothermal potential must be done to optimize the use of low-carbon energy. This was revealed by geothermal energy expert from the Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) Yogyakarta Pri Utami.

Pri Utami in Yogyakarta, Saturday, said the increase in data was necessary considering the presence of a very minimal geothermal potential on the surface.

"There are two basic things that must be done, namely improving the quality of exploration data and improving public understanding," he said, quoted from ANTARA, Saturday, October 5.

Pri assessed that the lack of geothermal energy utilization in Indonesia was due to the government requiring more accurate data on geothermal energy potentials in Indonesia.

Until now, the use of geothermal energy in Indonesia is still at 11 percent of the total potential.

In fact, he said Indonesia has a geothermal energy potential of 40 percent of the world's potential, which is 23,965.5 Mega Watts (MW).

This energy potential is spread evenly on the islands of Sumatra, Java, Bali, and Sulawesi, so that it has the opportunity to meet national energy needs while reducing carbon emissions production.

Compared to other renewable energy, according to Pri, geothermal energy has levels of carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and much lower solid particles.

In addition, geothermal energy also has an advantage in terms of sustainability because geothermal scattered on the surface will be carried by rainwater and follow the hydrology cycle so that naturally, heat energy will return to the earth.

Not only that, the injection of fluid that has been extracted from its energy will return to geothermal reservoirs to ensure a balance of heat and mass in the geothermal system.

"This series of advantages makes geothermal energy a stable renewable energy," said Pri Utami.

No less important, he said, the use of geothermal energy needs to be accompanied by an increase in public understanding of the potential for geothermal.

According to him, the community needs to be involved in geothermal-based economic activities, including through synergies between the geothermal sector and agriculture and tourism.

As is known, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) stated that it will build three Hot Power Plants (PLTP) with a total electricity of 90 Megawatts (MW) by the end of this year.

The project will help pursue the target of 23 percent energy for the EBT mix (New Renewable Energy) by 2025.