Pushing BBG To Become Alternative Energy, Gagas Energy: Save 30 Percent

Illustration of BBG (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - PT Perusahaan Gas Negara (Persero) Tbk or PGN (PGAS) is increasing natural gas services so that they can be utilized by transportation, as an alternative energy that is economical and environmentally friendly during the energy transition period.

Subholding Gas through PT Gagas Energi Indonesia implements the conversion of Gas Fuel (BBG) to logistics vehicles, four-wheeled vehicles (conventional & online taxis), three-wheeled vehicles (bajaj), light vehicles or passenger vehicles, and motorcycles.

CNG is present as an alternative energy that is environmentally friendly and economical, because the abundant supply of natural gas is sourced from within the country. The advantages of CNG being economical can provide fuel cost savings of up to 30 percent.

"Pertamina's Gas Subholding is trying to provide an alternative to natural gas energy for transportation as a complement to the existing energy. BBM will still be there, in the future also EV. Then the transition from BBM energy to new, renewable energy takes time, that's where Subholding Gas's role is to fill the transition," said President Director of PT Gagas Energi Indonesia Muhammad Hardiansyah in Jakarta, Tuesday 21 February.

Hardiansyah continued, the BBG price was set by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, which was IDR 4,500 per Liter of Premium Equivalent (LSP).

"Regardless of where it is filled throughout Indonesia, the price remains the same. Currently, there are 50 CNG filling points and there will be more, because we are trying to activate 34 SPBGs," he explained.

Currently, one of the initiatives being carried out is a pilot project for the conversion of CNG for motorcycles.

"We are currently running a roadmap. Motorcycles can still use fuel, because the system is dual fuel," said Hardiansyah.

Hardiansyah explained that almost all vehicles can be converted to CNG using the Diesel Dual Fuel - DDF system or dual fuels other than diesel (BBM and Gas).

Natural gas for motorcycles is stored in two cylinders with a total capacity of 2.5 LSP and is capable of traveling up to 100 KM. Gas cylinders for motorbikes are made of strong and durable steel. The cylinder life can be up to 20 years and has international standard ISO 11439. Thus, natural gas for motorbikes is safe to use.

Similar to gas conversion for logistics vehicles and motorcycles, CNG conversion for four-wheeled passenger vehicles also provides efficiency. In this vehicle, the efficiency obtained is 55 percent or the equivalent of IDR 30 million per year. Per vehicle unit, the volume of gas consumption is 15 liters per day.

"The BBG conversion that has been carried out is on Pertamina's fuel transport logistic vehicle with a dual fuel system. Cost efficiencies are up to 54 percent and emission reductions of 20 percent. Installing the converter is done at the SPBG or MRU," explained Hardiansyah.

In terms of composition, natural gas is methane, which has a high octane and low emissions, making BBG emissions a low-emission fuel of up to 20 percent. This makes the pull more steady and the power of the vehicle is greater.

"We have potential, there are still plenty of natural gas reserves. However, it is maximally utilized for transportation. It's time for Pertamina's Oil and Gas Holding through Pertamina Gas Subholding to make a complementary contribution with other alternatives, namely natural gas for transportation," concluded Hardiansyah.