Researchers from PT PLN (Persero) Research Institute in Jakarta, the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at the University of Gadjah Mada in Yogyakarta, and the Faculty of Computer Science at Universitas Brawijaya in Malang are examining how green hydrogen could help reshape Indonesia’s energy system. Their study explores the technologies behind hydrogen energy and reviews global research trends to understand where Indonesia stands in the rapidly growing field. The findings suggest that hydrogen could play an important role in helping the country reduce its dependence on fossil fuels while supporting its long-term climate goals.
Indonesia, like many developing economies, still relies heavily on coal, oil, and natural gas to generate electricity. Coal alone accounts for a large share of the country’s power production. At the same time, Indonesia has pledged to cut greenhouse gas emissions and achieve net-zero emissions by 2060. Reaching these targets will require expanding renewable energy and adopting new technologies that can support a cleaner and more flexible power system. Green hydrogen is increasingly being seen as one of those technologies.
What Makes Green Hydrogen Different
Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe, but it rarely exists in pure form. It must be produced using other resources such as water or fossil fuels. Today, most hydrogen is produced from natural gas through processes that release carbon dioxide. This type is often referred to as grey hydrogen.
Green hydrogen is different because it is produced using renewable electricity. In this process, electricity from solar panels, wind turbines, or hydropower is used to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. The result is hydrogen that can be used as fuel without generating carbon emissions during production.
Because hydrogen burns cleanly and produces only water vapor, it has the potential to replace fossil fuels in several sectors, including power generation, transportation, and industry. It can also store energy, allowing electricity from renewable sources to be saved and used later when demand is high.
From Production to Storage: The Hydrogen Value Chain
Producing hydrogen is only the first step. The study highlights that hydrogen must also be stored, transported, and eventually converted back into energy. Each stage of this process comes with its own technological challenges.
One of the most widely used technologies for producing green hydrogen is water electrolysis, where electricity splits water into hydrogen and oxygen. Several types of electrolysis systems exist. Alkaline electrolysis is the oldest and most commercially established technology, while newer systems such as proton exchange membrane electrolysis offer greater flexibility when working with renewable energy sources.
Storing hydrogen can be complicated because the gas has a low energy density. Engineers have developed several solutions, including storing hydrogen as compressed gas, cooling it into liquid hydrogen, or binding it to chemical carriers such as ammonia. Each method involves trade-offs between safety, efficiency, and cost.
Transporting hydrogen also requires specialized infrastructure. Pipelines can move large quantities of hydrogen efficiently, but building them is expensive. In areas without pipelines, hydrogen can be transported in high-pressure tanks or cryogenic containers. For a country like Indonesia, made up of thousands of islands, these logistics are especially important.
A Growing Global Research Race
The study also examined how research on green hydrogen has evolved around the world. Over the past decade, scientific publications on hydrogen energy have increased dramatically, reflecting growing international interest in the technology.
China currently leads the world in research output, followed by India and the United States. European countries also play a major role in advancing hydrogen technologies. In contrast, Southeast Asian countries contribute far fewer studies. Indonesia ranks relatively low in the number of hydrogen-related publications, indicating that the country still has room to expand its research capacity.
According to the researchers, limited research funding and continued reliance on fossil fuel subsidies are among the factors slowing hydrogen research in Indonesia. Increasing collaboration with international partners and strengthening domestic research programs could help accelerate progress.
Indonesia’s Untapped Renewable Potential
Despite its current challenges, Indonesia has enormous renewable energy resources that could support hydrogen production. The country has strong solar potential, significant hydropower resources, and some of the largest geothermal reserves in the world.
These resources could provide the renewable electricity needed to produce green hydrogen at scale. However, renewable energy infrastructure must first be expanded before hydrogen production can grow significantly.
Several pilot projects are already testing hydrogen technologies in Indonesia. Some projects involve blending hydrogen or ammonia with natural gas in power plants, while others explore fuel cell systems and hybrid renewable energy setups for remote communities.
The Road Ahead for Hydrogen in Indonesia
Indonesia has begun developing a national hydrogen roadmap that outlines how the technology could evolve over the coming decades. In the short term, the focus is on pilot projects and demonstration programs. These early initiatives allow researchers and engineers to test hydrogen systems under real-world conditions.
In the longer term, the country hopes to expand hydrogen production, build storage and distribution infrastructure, and integrate hydrogen into the national electricity system. If these efforts succeed, hydrogen could eventually supply a small but growing share of Indonesia’s energy demand.
The researchers conclude that green hydrogen has the potential to become a key component of Indonesia’s energy transition. But turning that potential into reality will require sustained investment, stronger policies, and greater collaboration between government, industry, and research institutions. If those conditions are met, hydrogen could help Indonesia move toward a cleaner, more secure energy future.
