Prof. Dr. Eng. Yunus Daud, Dipl.Geotherm.Tech., M.Sc., was inaugurated as a permanent professor in the field of Geothermal, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA), University of Indonesia (UI), on Wednesday (12/2) at the Convention Hall, UI Depok Campus. At the ceremony led by the Rector of UI, Prof. Dr. Ir. Heri Hermansyah, S.T., M.Eng., IPU., Prof. Yunus delivered his inaugural speech entitled “The Strategic Role of Advanced Reservoir Imaging Technology Research and Innovation in Increasing the Success of Geothermal Well Drilling, Reducing Energy Costs, and Supporting Green Energy Self-Sufficiency in Indonesia”.
In his inaugural speech, Prof. Yunus said that Indonesia is a big country that needs to ensure energy security and energy self-sufficiency, especially renewable energy. The government has committed to achieving net zero emissions before 2050 and affirmed its commitment to achieving green energy self-sufficiency, especially geothermal energy.
“Indonesia is blessed with the largest and most abundant geothermal energy in the world, because it is located in a ‘hot region’. The choice of geothermal energy is very appropriate because geothermal does not depend on climate/weather, can operate 24 hours/7 days, and has a capacity factor of up to 90%, so it can be relied on to replace the role of fossil fuels as baseload power,” said Prof. Yunus.
He further said, UI through the Geothermal Laboratory and Geothermal Research Center (GRC) has been involved in geothermal research and innovation for more than 25 years, especially in the field of subsurface imaging. In the last ten years, research and innovation have focused on the development of “Advanced Reservoir Imaging” by utilizing Remote Sensing, Magnetotelluric and Ambient Noise Tomography (ANT) technology, geology, geochemistry, and computer science.
Prof. Yunus and his team also conducted research and innovation that resulted in eight software and have been applied in the industrial world. The results of this research and innovation have contributed greatly in providing solutions faced by the industry, especially in determining the right drilling target. The success of the first exploration drilling in Blawan Ijen, East Java, became a milestone in the successful application of 3-D Advanced Reservoir Imaging technology in determining drilling targets in geothermal fields with hidden reservoirs. In addition, the success of this technology has also been applied to more than 60 fields, both in Indonesia and abroad and has resulted in resource discovery of more than 4 GWe.
“In addition to focusing on research and innovation, UI has also developed geothermal education at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. In the future, it will be expanded to accept international students, especially doctoral and post-doctoral education. UI as a representation of Indonesia, has a variety of faculties that have the potential to become pioneers in the development of the International Geothermal Research and Innovation Center in collaboration with government institutions, universities, and the industrial world, both domestic and foreign,” said Prof. Yunus.
He added that the focus of his work is on three main functions, namely, Government Think Tank, Research/Studies, and Education/Capacity Building. So, countries in the world can send their human resources to deepen their knowledge and experience in geothermal development in Indonesia to the Multidisciplinary Geothermal Education Center at UI. According to him, with a program like this, UI’s contribution to Indonesian and world society is increasingly felt.
Before being inaugurated as the 16th UI professor in 2025, Prof. Yunus had completed his Bachelor’s degree in the Department of Geophysics, FMIPA UI in 1993. Still in the same Department, he completed his Master’s degree in 1998. Then, in 2002, he received his Doctorate from the Faculty of Engineering, Kyushu University. Among the invited guests, there were the Director of Geothermal Energy, Directorate General of EBTKE, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Gigih Udi Atmo, M.EPM., Ph.D.; Chairman of the PETRONAS Executive Board, Malaysia Adj. Prof. Ir. Mohd. Faudzi B Mohd. Yasir.; President Commissioner of PT. Sabang Geothermal Energy Sayogi Sudarman, M.Sc.; President Director of PT. Geo Dipa Energi Yudistian Yunis; President Director of PT. Pertamina Geothermal Energy Julfi Hadi; Vice President of Geothermal, PT Medco Power Novianto; and Chairperson of the Indonesian Center for Renewable Energy Studies, ICRES Dr. Surya Darma, M.B.A.
