The White House has just given the green light to a project that is as eagerly awaited on one coast as it is feared on another. Is this really possible? Yes, with the proposal to drill in this antipodean country, almost as if it were a full-scale invasion. The reason? You might be surprised to learn that we are going to extract an energy in the subsoil that is 150°C and that has already made other countries around the globe rich.
America has found a new, renewable and futuristic energy, but not here
This latest development for a geothermal power plant in East Java Indonesia is expected to boost renewable energy and also the relationship share between both countries. The US government has set aside $126 million for this project.
Focusing on the ongoing Ijen Geothermal Project, this investment will prove to be a great leap towards positively affecting the availability of geothermal power in the south east Asia region for the future. Concerning geothermal energy, this is heat energy harnessed from deep within the Earth’s crust, and is renewable, clean and reliable.
Since Indonesia is situated in the region known as “Ring of Fire” it has an extremely high potential for geothermal power and, therefore, is perfect for such projects. Indonesia has been found to contain subsurface energy with temperatures ranging from 4000 K to 150°C (302°F).
U.S., ready to drill this country: It´s so far and coal-dependent
The effect of having a friendly and business-like relation in the sector to the mutual benefit of both countries since energy is key to the survival and development. This partnership has been longstanding as far back as to the 1980s, with the United States endorsing Indonesia’s quest to realize the potential of its diverse reserves.
The past cooperation has featured areas such as technical cooperation, exchange of expertise and innovation, and information sharing, exchange, and collaboration and research studies for Indonesian energy sector development as well as encouraging sustainability.
The Indonesian expansion creates opportunities for the country to integrate itself with advanced technology that would allow it to unlock the energy resources in the most efficient and effective manner as well as access expertise and financial resources to support the development of Indonesia’s energy resources.
Ijen geothermal plant, the heart of Indonesian geothermal energy U.S. will extract
The Ijen Geothermal Project is a significant undertaking in East Java, Indonesia, aimed at harnessing the region’s abundant geothermal resources. Located in the vicinity of the iconic Ijen Volcano Complex, this project harnesses the immense heat and energy generated by the Earth’s subsurface processes.
With a planned capacity of 110 megawatts, the Ijen Geothermal Project is poised to become one of Indonesia’s largest geothermal power plants. This ambitious initiative not only addresses the nation’s pressing need for sustainable and reliable energy sources but also showcases Indonesia’s commitment to transitioning.
The project’s strategic location near the Ijen Volcano Complex provides access to a vast reservoir of geothermal energy, with temperatures reaching an impressive 150°C (302°F) beneath the surface. By tapping into this renewable resource, the Ijen Geothermal Project aims to generate clean, baseload electricity.
The country is a geothermal giant with reserves expected to contain forty percent of the total geothermal resources globally. Because of numerous geothermal areas of more than 300 across the archipelago, the country could possibly produce about 23,000 MW from this type of natural power resource.
Geothermal energy is, of course, an innovative and revolutionary source of energy, with which we are going to boost international development and also our companies in the sector. This is yet another response from the Biden administration to the European Green Deal, which will make us less competitive if we do not continue to act on projects like this one that have the potential to be a historic milestone.
