The Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia (FTUI), in collaboration with the University of Birmingham, held the 2026 Workshop entitled “Zero Emission Cooling Hub for Small-Scale Fisheries: Research Collaboration between Universitas Indonesia and the University of Birmingham” on Tuesday (21/07) at the i-Cell Building, 2nd Floor, FTUI, Depok Campus. The workshop formed part of an ongoing research collaboration between the two universities to develop zero-emission cold chain systems for Indonesia’s small-scale fisheries sector. Bringing together experts from academia and industry, the event showcased a range of low-emission cooling technologies, from natural refrigerants to renewable energy-powered refrigeration systems.
Small-scale fisheries play a vital role in Indonesia’s economy and food security. Approximately 95 percent of the country’s fisheries production comes from this sector, while 526 of Indonesia’s 576 fishing ports are classified as small-scale operations. Despite their significance, these fisheries continue to face major challenges due to limited cold storage infrastructure, leading to post-harvest losses and reduced market value. In many coastal areas, inadequate electricity access means that refrigeration facilities still rely on diesel generators, while the limited availability and short lifespan of conventional block ice further weaken the cold chain.
Asep Kurniawan, M.T., Designer, Trainer, and Founder of Askur Private Refrigeration System Consultant Indonesia, highlighted the importance of transitioning to natural refrigerants such as ammonia (NH₃) and carbon dioxide (CO₂), both of which have Global Warming Potential (GWP) values close to zero—significantly lower than synthetic refrigerants such as Freon and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). He introduced the concept of a Zero Emission Cooling Hub, an integrated system consisting of four key components: solar photovoltaic energy generation, an NH₃/CO₂ cascade refrigeration system with Phase Change Material (PCM) thermal storage, precision-temperature cold storage facilities, and clean logistics supported by electric trucks and passive cooling boxes. He also noted that ammonia refrigeration systems have already been implemented in several fish processing facilities across Indonesia, including Jepara, Aceh, Jakarta, West Java, East Java, Bitung, and Makassar.
Dr. Arman Sastraatmaja of the University of Birmingham presented simulation results of hybrid renewable energy systems using HOMER (Hybrid Optimisation Model for Electric Renewables) software through two case studies: a cold storage facility at Cituis Fish Landing Port (TPI Cituis) in Tangerang and a solar-powered ice-making system in Kawa, Maluku. For the Cituis case, the simulations demonstrated that a combination of solar photovoltaic panels, battery storage, and a biogas generator could achieve 100 percent renewable energy with near-zero carbon emissions. Meanwhile, for Kawa, the same hybrid configuration proved to provide the best balance between cost-effectiveness and operational reliability compared with other scenarios. The presentation also highlighted the relevance of these findings to the Indonesian Government’s Kampung Nelayan Merah Putih program while addressing infrastructure challenges commonly faced in coastal regions, including seawater corrosion, tidal flooding, and limited access to spare parts on remote islands.
Representing Universitas Indonesia, Dr. Eng. Muhammad Arif Budiyanto introduced a series of innovations developed by the Marine System Engineering, Transportation and Logistics Research Group to support a low-emission fisheries supply chain ecosystem. These innovations include electric fishing vessels for small- and medium-scale fisheries, a 10-ton solar-powered cold storage facility in Cituis, a modular 20-foot cold storage unit, and the development of a 30 GT fishing vessel in collaboration with several national institutions, including the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT), the Indonesian Classification Society (BKI), the Ministry of Transportation, and the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries. The research also encompasses the development of Fish-Mon (FVEO), an electronic fisheries monitoring system that has been piloted in Palabuhanratu to record vessel movement and catch location data.
Another workshop session highlighted a cold chain connectivity case study for remote island regions, including South Halmahera, North Maluku, demonstrating a hub-and-spoke logistics model designed to connect remote fishing villages with fish processing facilities and export ports. Under this model, fishermen from islands such as Makian, Kayoa, and Obi are assured that their catches will be purchased regularly every one to two days while also benefiting from maintenance services for refrigeration systems and power generation equipment installed on-site.
In addition to the three keynote speakers, the workshop featured presentations from Dr. Renaldi of the University of Birmingham, Ir. RP Bugie Pudjotomo, Director of PT United Refrigeration, and Dr. Eng. Arnas of Universitas Indonesia, with Dany H. Priatno, M.T. serving as moderator.
The Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia, Prof. Kemas Ridwan Kurniawan, expressed his appreciation for the research collaboration between FTUI and the University of Birmingham. He emphasized that international partnerships of this kind are essential for developing practical technological solutions that contribute to the sustainability of Indonesia’s small-scale fisheries sector while improving the livelihoods of coastal communities.
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Public Communications Office
Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia
