Fossil Fuels in Indonesia

The three main types of fossil fuels are:

• Coal; this is a solid, carbon-rich fuel formed primarily from the remains of ancient land plants that accumulated in swampy environments. Over time, this plant matter was compressed and heated, undergoing a process called coalification.

Read more about coal mining in Indonesia

• Petroleum (crude oil); this is a liquid mixture of hydrocarbons formed mainly from the remains of microscopic marine organisms (like algae and plankton) that accumulated on the ocean floor. These remains were buried under layers of sediment, and over millions of years, heat and pressure transformed them into oil.

• Natural gas; this is a gaseous mixture consisting primarily of methane (CH₄), along with smaller amounts of other hydrocarbons like ethane, propane and butane. Natural gas is often found alongside petroleum deposits and is formed through similar geological processes from the decomposition of organic matter.

So far, fossil fuels have been the dominant sources of energy around the world as they are used for a wide range of purposes, including electricity generation (primarily coal and natural gas), transportation (petroleum is refined into gasoline, diesel and jet fuel), heating (natural gas and heating oil that is derived from petroleum), industrial processes (fossil fuels provide energy for various industrial processes, including manufacturing and chemical production), and raw materials (petroleum and natural gas are also used as raw materials in the production of plastics, chemicals and other products).

What are the key characteristics of fossil fuels?

A key characteristic of fossil fuels is that they are energy-dense, meaning they contain a high amount of energy per unit of weight or volume, making them very efficient sources of power.

Furthermore, fossil fuels are combustible, implying they release significant amounts of energy in the form of heat and light when burned (combusted). This energy can then be used to generate electricity, power engines, and provide heating.

Meanwhile, because it takes millions of years to form, fossil fuels are considered non-renewable resources. And so, their consumption rate far exceeds the rate at which they are naturally replenished.

Lastly, the combustion of fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide (CO₂), into the atmosphere. This is believed to be a major contributor to global warming and climate change. Burning fossil fuels also releases other pollutants that can harm air quality and human health. In fact, given the current global focus on climate change and the need for sustainable energy sources, there is a growing movement to transition away from fossil fuels towards renewable energy alternatives.