Study of Renewable Energy Potential and Its Effective Usage in East Asia Summit Countries

Abstract

Energy consumption in the transportation sector in East Asia Summit (EAS) countries is expanding. To reduce the amount of imported crude oil, each country has established a target for reducing energy consumption. To achieve this target, biomass is being used from the viewpoint of introducing renewable energy and using domestic resources in various countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In particular, the introduction of first-generation biofuels such as bioethanol and biodiesel has been promoted in the transportation sector. Biofuel is often produced using a domestic resource at a relatively small-scale factory. Therefore, the fuel quality is not uniform and the low-grade fuel often causes engine trouble. To respond to this situation, our working group discussed between 2007 and 2012 creating a benchmark fuel standard to maintain the quality of biodiesel in the EAS region. We proposed the EAS–ERIA biodiesel fuel standard (EEBS2008) and published the EAS–ERIA Biodiesel Fuel Trade Handbook 2010 (Figure 1-1). It describes the importance of fuel quality assurance, the current status of the fuel specification of each country, and upgrading the technology of the first-generation biofuels. From 2013 to 2014, we revised the EAS–ERIA biodiesel fuel standard (EEBS2013) based on the revised European standard. This standard was introduced to the national standard in some ASEAN countries.