Experts suggest low carbon-emitting fuels to reduce global warming

Indonesia should promote the use of fuels with low carbon emissions to minimize the greenhouse effect that leads to global warming, said a biofuels advocate in an alternative energy discussion Monday. Even though Indonesia is not among the countries obliged by the Kyoto Protocol to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Indonesia should take active measures to address the ongoing impacts of global warming, said Ahmad Safrudin, coordinator of the Joint Committee for Leaded Gasoline Phase-out.

"Indonesia has shown increasing levels of CO2 emissions, including from vehicles. Therefore, we need to participate in global efforts to reduce CO2 emissions by promoting the use of low carbon fuels," Ahmad said.

It is estimated that the Indonesian transportation sector emits 20.9 million tons of CO2 each year.

The figure is expected to reach 38.4 million by 2010 because the number of vehicles, currently around 29 million, could increase 8 to 14 percent per year.

One of the low carbon fuels suggested for use in transportation is the cellulosic ethanol, a type of biofuel produced from high fiber plants such as grasses, sorghum, willow and eucalyptus.

Reginald A. Theijs, senior advisor for hydrogen and fuel cells at the State Ministry for the Development of Disadvantaged Regions, said cellulosic ethanol could be an alternative to renewable energy like the biofuel made of crude palm oil (CPO), jathropa and cassava currently being developed here.

"Cellulosic ethanol can be a solution to fight against global warming ... because vehicles running on this fuel will produce no carbon emission," he said.

"This fuel can be used for cars, ships and aircraft in which engines need to be equipped with fuel cell reactors," he said.

Theijs said the ethanol was processed from sugar extracted from the raw materials. The ethanol can be directly used as fuel or converted into hydrogen.

"It is cheaper and much more environmentally friendly than biofuels from CPO, jathropa and cassava. It is also more powerful for vehicles than compressed natural gas," he said.

Cellulosic ethanol is currently being developed under the state ministry's Community Integrated Utility Program and conducted in disadvantaged regions in Merauke, Papua province. The fuel is used by power generators to produce electricity and clean water.

Ahmad said the government's biofuel policy should be supported by a commitment from the automotive industry to manufacture vehicles able to run on such fuels.

A number of carmakers have announced cars marketed in Indonesia capable of running on biofuels.