Optimization of Renewable Energy Integration in Power Systems for Clean Energy Transition

Abstract

Global climate change caused by increasing greenhouse gas emissions has prompted the world to transition toward a sustainable clean energy system. Indonesia, as a developing country with rapidly growing electricity demand, faces significant challenges in realizing this energy transition. The national electricity system remains heavily dependent on fossil fuels, particularly coal, which contributes substantially to carbon emissions. This study aims to analyze the potential, challenges, and strategies for optimizing the utilization of renewable energy within Indonesia’s power system. The research applies a qualitative descriptive method through an extensive literature review from scientific journals, reports, and official publications. The results indicate that Indonesia possesses abundant renewable energy potential, including solar energy of 207.8 GWp, hydropower of 75 GW, wind energy of 60.6 GW, and geothermal energy exceeding 28 GW. However, the current utilization rate remains low, only around 14% of the total national energy mix. The main barriers include limited infrastructure, high investment costs, and uncompetitive regulatory frameworks. To overcome these challenges, optimization strategies should focus on strengthening policy and regulatory support, implementing smart grid and energy storage technologies, and fostering collaboration between government, industry, and society. With these integrated efforts, Indonesia can accelerate the transition toward a clean, efficient, and sustainable electricity system to achieve the Net Zero Emission target by 2060.