Energy development is a primary focus of Indonesia under the administration of President Prabowo Subianto. During a visit to an electric vehicle factory in Magelang, Central Java, on April 9, 2026, President Prabowo expressed his commitment to achieving national energy independence through accelerating the transition to clean and renewable energy.
The President is optimistic that Indonesia possesses abundant energy resources. However, the government must manage them wisely while prioritizing efficiency and sustainability.
This spirit aligns with the objectives of the Center of Excellence in Electrical Energy Storage Technology (PUI-TPEL) at Sebelas Maret University (UNS). In a corner of Surakarta City, Central Java, PUI-TPEL UNS researchers are developing domestic battery technology from upstream to downstream.
Employees use electric bicycles produced by PUI-TPEL UNS within the campus environment of Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS), Surakarta, Central Java.
Several students conduct research on the development of battery and energy storage technology at the Center of Excellence for Electrical Energy Storage Technology (PUI-TPEL) Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS), Surakarta, Central Java.
"We believe batteries will become one of the key technologies in the future," said Agus Purwanto, lecturer and Professor of the Chemical Engineering Study Program at UNS and Head of PUI-TPEL UNS.
Agus stated that the Indonesian government currently places batteries and electric vehicles as one of the national priority sectors. According to him, abundant mineral reserves provide Indonesia with significant capital to develop the battery industry.
PUI-TPEL UNS was officially established in 2020 as a center of excellence for energy storage technology within UNS. However, the institution’s origins date back much earlier through accumulated research on batteries and electric vehicles initiated since the launch of the National Electric Car Program (MOLINA) in 2012.
Raw materials and production processes of batteries as well as energy storage systems are exhibited at the Center of Excellence for Electrical Energy Storage Technology (PUI-TPEL) Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS), Surakarta, Central Java.
Researchers display nickel sulfate as one of the raw materials for manufacturing batteries and energy storage systems at the Center of Excellence for Electrical Energy Storage Technology (PUI-TPEL) Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS), Surakarta, Central Java.
Researchers then consolidated various studies to enable continued technological development, ranging from fabrication and testing to downstream processing. They also developed battery production waste management to prevent environmental pollution.
To date, PUI-TPEL UNS has collaborated with various parties, from national industry players, state-owned enterprises, research institutions, foreign universities, to international research centers.
The technological advancements developed by PUI-TPEL UNS have resulted in several electric vehicles. Battery-powered bicycles, motorcycles, and minibusses are currently used to support employee activities within the UNS campus.
Students conduct studies on the development of battery and energy storage technology at the Center of Excellence for Electrical Energy Storage Technology (PUI-TPEL) Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS), Surakarta, Central Java.
Students carry out practical research and development of battery and energy storage technology at the Center of Excellence for Electrical Energy Storage Technology (PUI-TPEL) Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS), Surakarta, Central Java.
PUI-TPEL UNS has also extended the technology development beyond the campus environment. In collaboration with PT Batex, PUI-TPEL UNS is developing lithium battery production. Both parties then partnered with PLN to pilot a prototype of an electric energy-saving device.
Researchers test the prototype in various locations with diverse energy needs. They use it for household electricity consumption in the Pangandaran tourist area, West Java; SME production houses in Wonogiri, Central Java; as well as shrimp farmer activities in Sukoharjo and Boyolali Regencies, Central Java.
The prototype has even been sent to Aceh to meet the electricity needs of residents affected by natural disasters. From research rooms on campus, this technology gradually finds its way to communities in need.
Researchers develop battery and energy storage technology at the Center of Excellence for Electrical Energy Storage Technology (PUI-TPEL) Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS), Surakarta, Central Java.
Researchers develop battery and energy storage technology at the Center of Excellence for Electrical Energy Storage Technology (PUI-TPEL) Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS), Surakarta, Central Java.
"The hope is that PUI-TPEL UNS will become a world-class center of excellence capable of producing impactful energy storage technology innovations for society, strengthening national battery industry independence, accelerating downstream research results, and supporting the transition to a clean and sustainable energy system in Indonesia," said Agus Purwanto.
Behind the research, batteries, and the line-up of prototypes continuously developed lies a greater aspiration: to realize energy independence for Indonesia. From laboratories and research rooms, this hope is nurtured so that one day it will not remain a mere dream but grow into reality.
Photo and text: Maulana Surya
Researchers test battery cell performance using the Battery Testing System (BTS) in the development of battery and energy storage technology at the Center of Excellence for Electrical Energy Storage Technology (PUI-TPEL) Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS), Solo, Central Java.
Employees complete the final stage of electric bicycle and motorcycle production at PUI-TPEL UNS, within the campus environment of Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS), Surakarta, Central Java.
Employees inspect electric pedicabs produced by PUI-TPEL UNS in the campus environment of Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS), Surakarta, Central Java.
Researchers develop battery and energy storage technology at the Center of Excellence for Electrical Energy Storage Technology (PUI-TPEL) Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS), Solo, Central Java.
Employees of PT Batek prepare energy-saving devices for disaster aid locations in Aceh before shipment from PUI-TPEL UNS, Surakarta, Central Java.
Employees of PT Batek, fostered by PUI-TPEL, test prototypes of energy-saving devices resulting from collaboration with PLN to reduce electricity consumption in home production SMEs in Klaten, Central Java.
Employees of PT Batek, fostered by PUI-TPEL, check the stability of electricity flow while testing prototypes of energy-saving devices developed in cooperation with PLN for household electricity needs in Kampung Jajar, Solo, Central Java.
Editor: Ismar Patrizki
The caption is automatically translated by application. Click here for the Bahasa Indonesia version.
