Jakarta (ANTARA) – University of Indonesia (UI) Professor Rinaldy Dalimi said battery technology is key to the transition to renewable energy (EBT) since renewable power is inherently intermittent or its fluctuating availability depending on the weather.”If affordable, small-scale batteries are available, the world's energy problems would be 90 percent solved,” Rinaldy said here on Wednesday, speaking at a discussion entitled “Energy Transition Is Not an Option, But a Necessity.”Rinaldy said that renewable energy production is inherently variable because it depends on the weather or seasons. He explained that currently, Indonesia has enormous renewable energy potential, reaching 3,600 gigawatts (GW), encompassing solar, wind, hydro, bioenergy, geothermal, and other energy sources.However, renewable energy, he said, requires storage technology so that electricity obtained can be stored and used when there is a decrease in supply.”If affordable batteries were available, the problem would be solved. Therefore, while we wait for affordable battery technology with high storage capacity, every country still faces the challenge of energy transition,” he said.Therefore, the energy transition does not need to happen abruptly, but must be carried out with precise calculations and the application of competent technology, he said.Moreover, the current situation is also uncertain due to geopolitical turmoil resulting from war which has pushed a number of countries to return to using fossil fuels.”Due to the war, some countries have restarted coal-fired power plants (PLTU). This illustrates that achieving net-zero emissions remains a difficult challenge for countries to achieve and maintain energy security. Therefore, this is also what PLN must do,” he said.Rinaldy added that it would not be easy for PLN to adapt to environmental challenges that require a cessation of coal-fired power generation, as the impact would be so significant.”The cost of replacing coal with renewable energy remains high,” he said.