Benefits of Biodiesel in Everyday Life
In Indonesia, biodiesel is being intensively developed as an alternative energy that is more environmentally friendly. Biodiesel is used to replace the role of non-renewable fossil energy and leave more greenhouse gas emissions, thus reducing environmental quality.
Currently, many sectors are using biodiesel. Based on Ministerial Regulation No. 12 of 2015 concerning the Third Amendment to the Regulation of the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources No. 32 of 2008 concerning the Provision, Utilization and Trading System of Biofuels as Other Fuels, the types of sectors in Indonesia that are obliged to implement biodiesel are:
- Micro business
- Fishery business
- Agricultural business
- Transportation and public services/PSO (Public Service Obligation)
- Non PSO transportation
- Power plants
- Industry
- Commercial
Until now, the mandatory B30 program is still being carried out. The eight sectors above are required to implement the use of biodiesel with a mixture of 30% Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME) and 70% diesel in their daily activities. Biodiesel acts as an alternative fuel to replace diesel for various transportation and energy purposes (for example in power plants or heating machines).
Is biodiesel safe to use every day?
Biodiesel is a fuel derived from plant or animal oil, of course it is environmentally friendly and safe to use every day because it produces far less emissions than fossil fuels. During 2020, biodiesel has succeeded in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 22.46 million tons and has contributed greatly to improve environmental quality.
Will it never run out if used continuously every day?
Unlike fossil fuels, such as petroleum, coal and natural gas, which one day will run out and cannot be renewed, biodiesel comes from renewable raw materials. Currently, the main raw material for biodiesel is palm oil which comes from oil palm plants. Indonesia has abundant oil palm plantations, 70% can be found on Sumatra and 30% can be found on the island of Kalimantan.* If we can maintain and make the best use of these advantages, biodiesel can continue to be developed and produced in a sustainable manner for usage, both on a large scale and for daily needs.
*Based on Min of Agriculture data: 55% in Sumatera, 40% in Kalimantan and the rest in Sulawesi and Papua.
Sumber: ebtke.esdm.go.id