ITS Develops Energy Innovations to Support National Resilience
Surabaya (ANTARA) - Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) Surabaya is strengthening the development of sustainable energy innovations to support national energy resilience amid the limitations of petroleum fuel reserves due to current global crisis dynamics.
“Energy resilience needs to be supported by technology based on local potential,” said the Director of Research and Community Service (DRPM) at ITS, Fadlilatul Taufany, in Surabaya on Monday.
He explained that energy resilience does not only depend on the availability of reserves but also on the ability to develop alternative energy sources, including accelerating the transition to New Renewable Energy (EBT).
In addition, ITS has introduced the Renewable Energy Integration Demonstrator of Indonesia (REIDI) as Indonesia’s largest living renewable energy laboratory that integrates various energy sources, such as photovoltaics, agrovoltaics, biomass, and hydrogen.
“REIDI is designed to bridge research with the needs of industry and society,” he stated.
Through REIDI, ITS not only focuses on technology development but also on testing and implementation on a real scale.
“Direct implementation is key to ensuring innovations have a real impact,” he added.
An integrative approach is also applied through the Solar2Wave project, which introduces Indonesia’s first nearshore floating solar power plant (PLTS) to support energy independence in coastal areas.
“A region-based approach is important to expand access to clean energy,” he said.
ITS is also promoting energy diversification through the development of bioethanol, electric vehicles, and hydrogen fuel cell technology as part of the transition to a cleaner and more efficient energy system.
“Energy diversification is necessary to reduce dependence on fossil fuels,” he said.
Furthermore, he emphasised that strengthening national energy resilience requires synergy between research, policy, and implementation.
“Collaboration is needed so that innovations can be implemented widely,” said the lecturer from the ITS Chemical Engineering Department.
To support implementation, ITS is also developing the Science and Technology Area (KST) or Automotive Science Techno Park (STP), which has been providing services for converting petrol-fuelled vehicles into battery-based electric motorcycles since 2022.
These efforts align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly goal 7 on affordable and clean energy and goal 13 on climate action, through strengthened research and cross-sector collaboration.