Biofuel as a Renewable Energy: Potential, Technology, and Challenges Towards a Sustainable Energy Transition
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32497/eksergi.v21i03.7115Keywords:
Biofuel, Renewable Energy, Biodiesel, Bioethanol, Microalgae, Indonesian Energy PolicyAbstract
Biofuel is a promising renewable energy alternative to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and lower greenhouse gas emissions. This article presents a comprehensive overview of biofuel classification (generation I–IV and physical forms), production technologies (fermentation, transesterification, gasification, pyrolysis), and the applications of bioethanol, biodiesel, and biogas in the transportation, industrial, and power generation sectors. Energy efficiency and environmental impact analyses are conducted using a life cycle assessment (LCA) approach, while national energy policies are examined in the Indonesian context, including the mandatory blending program (B30–B50) and sustainability strategies. While biofuels have significant potential, challenges such as production efficiency, land conflicts, and regulatory consistency need to be addressed for biofuels to truly contribute to the national energy transition
References
IPCC, “Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of Climate Change,” Cambridge Univ. Press, 2022.
IEA, “Renewables 2023: Analysis and Forecast,” Int. Energy Agency, Paris, 2023.
D. Wirawan et al., “Biodiesel Implementation in Indonesia: Experiences and Challenges,” Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev., vol. 189, 2024.
P. Singh et al., “Advances in Biofuel Production Technologies,” Renew. Energy, vol. 205, pp. 145–158, 2023.
A. Kapuji, S. Hadi, Z. Arifin, “Biodiesel Production Process from Used Cooking Oil,” J. Alternative Energy, vol. 6, no. 2, 2022.
N. Herawati et al., “Bioethanol Production from Elephant Grass with Acid Hydrolysis Process,” J. Biotechnology, vol. 8, no. 1, 2021.
M. Al-Muhtaseb et al., “Catalytic Pyrolysis of Biomass for Bio-oil Production,” Energy Convers. Manage, vol. 283, 2023.
L. Zhang et al., “Nanocatalysts for CO₂-Enhanced Biomass Conversion,” Appl. Catal.. B, vol. 320, 2024.
Reuters, “Indonesia Expands Biodiesel Capacity for B50 Mandate,” 2025.
S. Irawan et al., "Comparative Energy Efficiency of Biofuel Processes," Energy Reports, vol. 10, 2024.
IEA, “World Energy Outlook 2024,” Paris, 2024.
FAO, “Bioenergy and Land Use Change,” Rome, 2022.
Frontiers in Sustainability, “Biodiesel Research Trends in Indonesia,” 2025.
APROBI, “Biodiesel Implementation Policies and Challenges in Indonesia,” Jakarta, 2024.
QC Intel, “Indonesia Regulates CPO Exports for B50,” 2025.
East Asia Forum, “Indonesia's Biofuel Bet Risks Backfiring,” 2025.
J. Harjanti et al., "Economic Impact of Biofuel Subsidies in Indonesia," J. Energy Policy, vol. 190, 2025.
Wikipedia, “Issues Relating to Biofuels,” 2024.
Arxiv.org, “CO₂-Assisted Nanocatalysis in Biofuel Production,” 2024.
Frontiers, “Circular Economy Approaches in Bioenergy Systems,” 2025.
IESR, “Indonesia Energy Transition Outlook 2025,” Jakarta, 2025.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Dianisa Sandi, Ariefanda Irza Atyanta, Maisa Linta Fifalah, Fika Ariza Rizqi

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).



