Balikpapan – Who would have thought that empty oil palm fruit bunches and geothermal sand could transform into a source of future energy? A research team from the Kalimantan Institute of Technology (ITK) has proven that "waste" can be turned into a solution. Under the leadership of Dr. Eng. Yunita Triana, M.Si., a lecturer in Materials and Metallurgical Engineering at ITK, a new battery innovation was born that is not only sophisticated but also a true green technology.

In a research project funded by the 2024 Palm Oil Research Grant and supported by the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), the ITK team developed pouch cell and coin cell batteries from unusual materials:

• Activated carbon from empty oil palm fruit bunch waste (TKKS)
• Silica from geothermal sand

The combination of these two materials turns out to have strong "chemistry." Initial testing results show that these locally made batteries can produce a voltage of 1.5 volts (coin cell) to 3 volts (pouch cell), a figure comparable to commercial batteries on the market.

Why is This Important?

Imagine that Indonesia is one of the world's largest palm oil producers. Piles of palm oil waste can be a headache. On the other hand, geothermal sand is often not utilized optimally. This research isn't just about batteries; it's also about how we transform waste into opportunities and prove that future energy can be rooted in our own earth.

According to Dr. Yunita, "This research is a strategic step to create environmentally friendly batteries that can answer the challenges of electric vehicles and renewable energy going forward."

From Lab to Road: The Future of Locally Made Batteries

The development process is still ongoing. The focus? Increasing energy capacity and cycle life so that these batteries can truly be used in electric cars, renewable energy storage systems, and perhaps even your next gadget.

Interestingly, this research is also targeted at paving the way for industry. This means it won't just be an academic journal but can also enter production lines and be used daily by the Indonesian people.

Proudly Made in Indonesia

This innovation affirms that the nation's children are capable of competing in high technology, even from materials we often consider trivial. ITK and its partners show that research is not just theory but has a real impact on the environment, technology, and Indonesia's energy future.

Who would have thought that from empty oil palm fruit bunches, technology could be born that drives the future?