Problem in Direct Utilization of Geothermal Energy in Kamojang Geothermal Field Indonesia

Abstract

There is not much effort of direct utilization of geothermal energy in Indonesia. The most common and traditional but in a very small use of geothermal energy in Indonesia is for balneology and hot swimming pool purposes. Although other uses in other area such as in agricultural industry is widely potential, however, the work is still in infancy that is only in research and development (R&D) stage. Recent R&D on direct utilization of geothermal energy in Indonesia is in helping mushroom cultivation i.e. for growing media sterilization in Kamojang geothermal field, West Java. Technologically, there is not much problem in the development and application of direct use of geothermal energy. Problems arise from the development of direct use in Kamojang geothermal field, Indonesia are mostly non-technical, among others, difficulties in acquiring land for expanding the prospect into commercial scale, distance of geothermal resource from product to be processed, measuring geothermal fluid used due to lack of apparatus, fuel subsidy policy causing expensive cost of geothermal energy, etc. With the above problems, however, research and development on direct use has to continue considering recent government policy and attention in developing renewable energy including geothermal energy.