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Indonesia’s Vast Solar Energy Potential

Author

Listed:
  • David Firnando Silalahi

    (School of Engineering, Australian National University, Canberra 2600, Australia)

  • Andrew Blakers

    (School of Engineering, Australian National University, Canberra 2600, Australia)

  • Matthew Stocks

    (School of Engineering, Australian National University, Canberra 2600, Australia)

  • Bin Lu

    (School of Engineering, Australian National University, Canberra 2600, Australia)

  • Cheng Cheng

    (School of Engineering, Australian National University, Canberra 2600, Australia)

  • Liam Hayes

    (School of Engineering, Australian National University, Canberra 2600, Australia)

Abstract

In this paper, we conclude that Indonesia has vast potential for generating and balancing solar photovoltaic (PV) energy to meet future energy needs at a competitive cost. We systematically analyse renewable energy potential in Indonesia. Solar PV is identified to be an energy source whose technical, environmental and economic potential far exceeds Indonesia’s present and future energy requirements and is far larger than all other renewable energy resources combined. We estimate that electricity consumption in Indonesia could reach 9000 terawatt-hours per year by 2050, which is 30 times larger than at present. Indonesia has abundant space to deploy enough solar to meet this requirement, including on rooftops, inland reservoirs, mining wasteland, and in combination with agriculture. Importantly, Indonesia has a vast maritime area that almost never experiences strong winds or large waves that could host floating solar capable of generating >200,000 terawatt-hours per year. Indonesia also has far more off-river pumped hydro energy storage potential than required for balancing solar generation.

Suggested Citation

  • David Firnando Silalahi & Andrew Blakers & Matthew Stocks & Bin Lu & Cheng Cheng & Liam Hayes, 2021. "Indonesia’s Vast Solar Energy Potential," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-24, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:17:p:5424-:d:626527
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lu, Bin & Blakers, Andrew & Stocks, Matthew & Cheng, Cheng & Nadolny, Anna, 2021. "A zero-carbon, reliable and affordable energy future in Australia," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 220(C).
    2. Blakers, Andrew & Lu, Bin & Stocks, Matthew, 2017. "100% renewable electricity in Australia," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 133(C), pages 471-482.
    3. Veldhuis, A.J. & Reinders, A.H.M.E., 2013. "Reviewing the potential and cost-effectiveness of grid-connected solar PV in Indonesia on a provincial level," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 27(C), pages 315-324.
    4. Dinesh, Harshavardhan & Pearce, Joshua M., 2016. "The potential of agrivoltaic systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 299-308.
    5. Schindele, Stephan & Trommsdorff, Maximilian & Schlaak, Albert & Obergfell, Tabea & Bopp, Georg & Reise, Christian & Braun, Christian & Weselek, Axel & Bauerle, Andrea & Högy, Petra & Goetzberger, Ado, 2020. "Implementation of agrophotovoltaics: Techno-economic analysis of the price-performance ratio and its policy implications," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 265(C).
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    Cited by:

    1. David Firnando Silalahi & Andrew Blakers & Bin Lu & Cheng Cheng, 2022. "Indonesia’s Vast Off-River Pumped Hydro Energy Storage Potential," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-18, May.
    2. Md. Imamul Islam & Mohd Shawal Jadin & Ahmed Al Mansur & Nor Azwan Mohamed Kamari & Taskin Jamal & Molla Shahadat Hossain Lipu & Mohd Nurulakla Mohd Azlan & Mahidur R. Sarker & A. S. M. Shihavuddin, 2023. "Techno-Economic and Carbon Emission Assessment of a Large-Scale Floating Solar PV System for Sustainable Energy Generation in Support of Malaysia’s Renewable Energy Roadmap," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-32, May.
    3. Srikkanth Ramachandran & Kais Siala & Cristina de La Rúa & Tobias Massier & Arif Ahmed & Thomas Hamacher, 2021. "Life Cycle Climate Change Impact of a Cost-Optimal HVDC Connection to Import Solar Energy from Australia to Singapore," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-23, November.

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