Biomass is one of the most suitable alternative energy sources for Indonesia because of the large amount of agricultural residue the country produces, a scientist says.



Herri Susanto from the Bandung Institute of Technology, recently granted a Tanoto Foundation award for his research on biomass fuel, said biomass-based energy is cheap to produce and environmentally friendly.



“Biomass will save [us from] oil consumption. And, biomass is widely available in the country,” Herri told The Jakarta Post on Friday.



Biomass has gained global favor due to its low investment and maintenance costs, he said.



In three years of research beginning in 2007, Herri improved biomass gasification technology that produces electricity, fuel and heat.



Herri developed a catalytic cracking technology in order to minimize biomass tar levels, making biomass a more environment...