BRIN Offers LPG Replacement Technology, Potential to Save Rp26 Trillion in Subsidies

Head of BRIN Arif Satria. (Teddy VOI)

JAKARTA - The National Research and Innovation Agency offers natural gas storage technology as one way to reduce dependence on imported LPG. Based on BRIN's initial calculations, this technology has the potential to save the LPG subsidy burden of around Rp. 26 trillion per year.

BRIN Head Arif Satria said the technology called Absorbed Natural Gas or ANG had been shown to President Prabowo Subianto at the Presidential Palace Complex, Thursday, August 6.

"This technology allows domestic natural gas to be stored at a pressure of around 30 bar, much lower than conventional CNG," said Arif.

Bar is a unit to measure pressure. Meanwhile, CNG is natural gas that is stored in a high-pressure state.

ANG technology utilizes a porous material called Metal-Organic Framework or MOF. The material can absorb and store large amounts of gas at lower pressures.

According to Arif, the MOF technology was developed by the 2025 Nobel Chemistry winner, Susumu Kitagawa. BRIN has built a joint laboratory with Kitagawa in Japan.

"Based on initial calculations, this technology has the potential to save LPG subsidy burdens of around Rp. 26 trillion per year," he said.

The figure is still a potential based on BRIN's initial calculations. Arif has not explained when ANG can be mass-produced, how much investment is needed, and the scheme for its implementation to replace LPG.

BRIN places ANG as part of energy research to reduce LPG imports. The institution also develops biofuels, bioenergy, biomass, batteries, renewable energy, and energy infrastructure.

Arif said BRIN was not enough to produce technology. Research results must be met with the needs of the government, industry, and the community so that they can be used in the market.