Andi Aladin
Professor of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Industrial Technology, Indonesian Muslim University
Member of the AMDAL Assessment Commission of the South Sulawesi Provincial Government

(This opinion piece was written in response to RRI's request to discuss current issues regarding the implementation of B50 in relation to fuel queues at gas stations)

The question that often arises in the community is, can the implementation of B50 provide sufficient diesel availability and reduce vehicle queues at gas stations?Yes, very potential. However, its success really depends on how we take advantage of opportunities, overcome challenges, and prepare the entire production and distribution chain optimally.

First, let's first equalize the perception of three terms that are often used, namelydiesel,biodiesel, andB50. Diesel is a petroleum-based (fossil) diesel fuel with a calorific value of around 43 MJ/kg. Diesel is a non-renewable fuel (unrenewable), which if used continuously, will one day run out. Biodiesel is diesel fuel produced from vegetable oil through a transesterification process, with a heating value of around 39 MJ/kg. Biodiesel is a renewable fuel. In Indonesia, biodiesel is generally produced from palm oil in the form of Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAME). Meanwhile, B50 is a mixture of 50 percent diesel and 50 percent biodiesel with an average heating value of around 41 MJ/kg. One of the author's research focuses is technology developmentblendingbetweenrenewable fuelsandfossil fuels. In this study, the author introduces the termsemi-renewable fuel (semi-renewable fuel)as nomenclature for blended fuels, such as B50.

Opportunity

The biggest opportunity for implementing B50 is to strengthen national energy security through increasing the use of renewable energy. However, it is necessary to understand that termB50indicating the composition of the biodiesel mixture is 50 percent, which is not significant50 percent of energy needs from fossil diesel have been replaced. Considering that the calorific value of biodiesel is lower than diesel, the energy contribution of biodiesel to B50 is still below 50 percent. Therefore, the success of the biodiesel program is not only measured by the percentage of the mixture, but also by the amount of fossil energy that is actually successfully substituted. The greater the contribution of biodiesel energy to the national energy mix, the smaller Indonesia's dependence on fossil energy.

This opportunity is even greater because Indonesia is one of the countries with the largest palm oil plantations in the world and the largest palm oil producer. The abundant availability of raw materials is strategic capital for developing the biodiesel industry in an integrated manner, from upstream to downstream. This condition opens up opportunities for the construction of national scale biodiesel factories in various palm oil production centers, so as to increase the added value of domestic commodities, expand employment opportunities, while strengthening national energy security.

This condition certainly provides many benefits. First, reducing diesel imports so that the country's foreign exchange can be saved. Second, increase the added value of palm oil through industrial downstreaming. Third, provide market certainty for the biodiesel industry while improving the welfare of millions of palm oil farmers. Fourth, strengthening the national energy mix towards a more sustainable energy system.

The question then arises whether these conditions will provide sufficient diesel fuel availability?yes, very potential. Because some of the demand for diesel has been replaced by biodiesel, the pressure on diesel supply has become lighter so that the amount of available diesel can be utilized by more users. The policy of using semirenewable fuels in principle reduces the rate of use of fossil fuels such as diesel.

As an idea, the author is of the view that in the future biodiesel nomenclature is worthy of being developed using an energy-based approach (base energy), not based solely on blend percentages. With this approach, the success of the biodiesel program is measured by the amount of fossil energy that is successfully substituted, not just by the amount of biodiesel content in the mixture. Based on this approach, the formulation of approxB52.5considered more representative because it is able to balance the energy contribution between biodiesel and diesel.

Challenge

Behind these great opportunities, the implementation of B50 also faces various challenges. The first challenge is to ensure the availability of biodiesel raw materials in a sustainable manner. Indonesia is indeed the largest palm oil producer in the world, but the increasing need for biodiesel must be balanced with productive, efficient plantation management that maintains environmental sustainability.

The next challenge is to maintain the quality of biodiesel so that it meets the required standards. The higher the biodiesel composition in the mixture, the greater the demand for quality control so that engine performance remains optimal.

Apart from that, distribution readiness is also a very important factor. Increased biodiesel production must be accompanied by the readiness of fuel terminals, mixing facilities (blending), transportation, and distribution throughout Indonesia. Without a good logistics system, the benefits of increasing production will not necessarily be immediately felt by the community.

No less important is education to the community. Until now, there is still a growing opinion that biodiesel can damage engines or has lower quality than diesel. In fact, the biodiesel marketed has gone through various tests and meets the specified quality standards.

Readiness

So, is Indonesia ready to implement B50? According to the author, Indonesiarelatively ready. We have enormous capital as the largest palm oil producer in the world. The national biodiesel industry has also developed quite rapidly. In fact, Indonesia has successfully gone through the implementation stages of B20, B30, B35, to B40. This experience is very valuable capital towards implementing B50.

On the other hand, the government has prepared various regulations, while Pertamina has experience in biodiesel mixing and distribution systems in various regions.

However, this readiness still needs to continue to be strengthened. Biodiesel production capacity must continue to be increased. Distribution infrastructure must become increasingly reliable. Research on biodiesel quality must also continue to be developed. Likewise, the productivity of vegetable oil producing plants needs to continue to be increased so that raw material needs can be met without ignoring the principles of sustainability.

Why is Biodiesel Called Environmentally Friendly?

Biodiesel is said to be more environmentally friendly not because it produces no or minimal carbon dioxide (CO₂) pollutant emissions. All carbon-based fuels, including biodiesel, when burned (reacting with oxygen) produce CO₂ emissions. So where is the environmental friendliness?

The advantages of biodiesel lie inthe carbon cycle. Biodiesel comes from vegetable oil. The greater the use of biodiesel, the wider the planting of oil-producing plants as raw material. These plants absorb CO₂ from the atmosphere through the process of photosynthesis to produce biomass and oil, which is then processed into biodiesel. When biodiesel is used as fuel, CO₂ is released back into the atmosphere and then reabsorbed by plants.  Mass use of biodiesel indirectly contributes to CO₂ absorption because it must begin with planting oil-producing plants.

Akhirulkalam,

The implementation of B50 is not just a fuel mixing policy, but rather a major strategy towards national energy independence and security. If the opportunities can be exploited, the challenges can be overcome, and all aspects of readiness continue to be strengthened, then the implementation of B50 will not only help increase the availability of diesel and reduce the pressure on queues at petrol stations, but will also be an important foundation in realizing an Indonesian energy system that is more independent, sustainable and competitive.

'The real energy transition is not measured by the percentage of biodiesel mixture, but by the amount of fossil energy that is successfully substituted.' 'Biodiesel is not just a fuel mixture, but a strategic investment towards Indonesia's energy independence and security.'