The Future of Coal in Global Green Energy Environment

[Dr. Ferian Anggara – Lecturer and Head of UGRG FT at UGM]

Will coal be needed in the next 50 years? To answer the question, we need to check the Indonesian energy Bauran which is contained in the Presidential decree No. 22 year 2017. According to the presidential decree, Indonesia still relies on coal by 30% until 2025 and 25% until 2050. Not to mention if we look more deeply related to the definition of “New and Renewable Energy” in the presidential decree, then the proportion of coal use will be greater.

Furthermore, what are some steps we can take to continue using coal as one of the main energy sources in Indonesia and at the same time can continue to follow the global developments towards environmentally friendly energy use?

One of the centers of Non-conventional resource studies (UGRG) is to conduct research related to the utilization of coal that not only as a commodity, but can be directly utilized as a source of Non-conventional energy such as Coal Bed Methane (CBM), Coal Gasification and other tourism products that can be accessed in the publication Link (journal & proceeding). 

In addition, coal that is currently used as a major source of power generation in Indonesia also provides its own opportunities and challenges related to the handling of its combustion results (hereinafter called Fly Ash and Bottom Ash – FABA). FABA has long been utilized as raw material building, such as cement and concrete mixture. However, recent research conducted by UGRG suggests that FABA can also produce geopolymer, rare ground metals/REE, carbon nanotubes, chenosphere, and other green transmutation material results. More details related to the utilization of FABA comprehensively accessible at the following link (research topic).

In closing, I would like to cite Seredin and Dai’s writings (2012) with a slight modification: “Identification of valuable elements resources during coal study and utilization may not only increase beneficiation of coal deposits themselves but also will promote humanity’s further movement on the Green Road”