Biofuels
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Content
- Bio Fuel Basics
- Generations of Biofuel
- Advantages of Biofuels
- Steps taken by government to support biofuels
- Ethanol Blending
- National Policy on Biofuels
- Bio-CNG (Compressed Biogas)
Bio Fuel Basics
Introduction
- Biofuel is a fuel that is produced through contemporary biological processes, such as agriculture and anaerobic digestion, rather than fuel produced by geological processes such as those involved in the formation of fossil fuels.
- They are made from recently grown biomass (plant or animal matter). They are renewable because the source is continuously replenished.
- E.g., Biogas, bioethanol, biodiesel etc.
- Biogas is the biofuel produced through anaerobic digestion of organic waste.
- Bioethanol is an alcohol made by fermentation, mostly from carbohydrates produced in sugar or starch crops such as corn, sugarcane, or sweet sorghum.
- Cellulosic biomass, derived from non-food sources, such as trees and grasses, is also being developed as a feedstock for ethanol production.
- Ethanol can be used as a fuel for vehicles in its pure form, but it is usually used as a gasoline additive to increase octane and improve vehicle emission.
Generations of Biofuel (3 important)
i. 1G Biofuel: They are produced directly from food crops such as wheat, sugar, vegetable oil and even animal fat etc.
- Advantages includes known simple tech, cost competitiveness with fossil fuels etc.
- Criticisms include food vs fuel debate etc.
- They are also known as conventional biofuels. Most common first generation bio fuels
include:- Biodiesel: Extraction of vegetable oils (both edible and non-edible), with or without esterification, from seeds of plants like soybean, rape (canola) and sunflower.
- Bioethanol: Fermentation of simple sugar from sugar crops (sugarcane) or starch crops (corn, wheat etc).
- It accounts for around 2/3rd of total biofuel production in the country.
- Biogas: Anaerobic fermentation of organic waste and crop residue as energy crops.
ii. 2G Biofuels: Produced from non-food organic crops such as wood, organic waste, food crop waste and specific biomass crops. It includes use of non-food-crops technologies like jatropha based fuels.
- The advantages include use of wasteland, less impact on food security.
- There are some limitations including high capital cost, advanced conversion technologies etc.
- One well known second-generation technology is Lignocellulosic processing which uses forest material.
iii. 3G Biofuels: The source is based on improvements in the production of biomass.
- They are produced from micro-organisms like algae
- Algae act as low cost, high-energy and entirely renewable feedstock. It has impressive diversity and higher yield. Advantages include the ease of generating the biomass anywhere where sunlight and carbon is present.
- Third generation biofuel has the potential to be more sustainable and have a lower environmental impact than first and second generation biofuels.
- Some limitations include still developing tech, high technology cost, some poisonous algae etc.
iv. 4th and 5th Generation Biofuels
A. Fourth Generation:
- It takes the advantage of biotechnology to engineer special crops such as algae (sometimes called oilgae) for biomass production. The aim is to engineer microorganisms to produce biofuels more efficiently, with higher yields, and with lower environmental impacts.
B. 5th Generation Biofuels
- They are known as electro fuels. They are produced from microbial synthesis using renewable energy sources. In this process, micro-organisms use electricity as an energy source to convert carbon dioxide into liquid fuels, such as ethanol or butanol.
Note: 4th Generation and 5th Generation Biofuels are in the early stage of development.
Current Capabilities:
- As of Feb 2023, India has a biofuel power generation capacity of 10.77 GW.
- According to International Energy Agency (IEA), India is expected to overtake China to become third largest producer of ethanol by 2023.
- Note: USA is the largest ethanol producer in the world accounting for 46% of global production and 2nd largest in biodiesel production accounting for 19% of the production.
Targets:
- National Biofuel Policy, 2018 (as amended in 2022): Country wide blending target of 20% ethanol by 2025 and 5% biodiesel by 2030
Why growth of biofuel sector in India?
-
- The spurt in ethanol production in India is almost entirely policy driven. Initiatives like Ethanol Blending Program, National Biofuel Policy etc. have created conditions for the growth in the sector.
Advantages of Biofuels
i. Renewable and Energy Security: Biofuels reduce dependency on imports and thus also reduces India’s vulnerabilities to price fluctuations.
ii. Fighting Pollution:
- Ethanol blended petrol reduces emission of pollutants like carbon monoxide.
- Biogas a much better fuel than cow-dung cake. It can also reduce the problems of poor sanitation.
- Further, bio fuels helps in moving towards newer vehicle emission targets (BS-IV and BSVI).
iii. Reduction in Greenhouse gases:
- A report by NITI Aayog quotes potential reduction of GHG emission at the point of use, i.e. from the tailpipe of the vehicle.
iv. Lesser impact on climate change
- Biogas also reduces the emission of GHGs such as methane and Carbon dioxide.
v. Can Promote sustainable agriculture:
- Government is promoting farmers to move from water intensive crops like wheat and rice to Maize which is suitable for biofuel production.
vi. Increase farmer’s income
- By providing them another way to use their surplus crops.
vii. Sanitation
- Some biofuels like biogas can play an important role in dealing with the problems of open defication and sanitation in rural and semi-urban areas.
viii. Social impacts
- Biofuels like biogas can reduce the drudgery of women involved in collecting fuel wood and thus plays a role in women empowerment.
ix. Reduces Import Dependency and saving foreign exchange
Some Criticisms:
- Land Use Change to grow biofuel crops may have its own negative impact.
- For e.g. the constant increase in demand from sugarcane based ethanol from Brazil has meant extensive deforestation of rainforests resulting in GHG emissions from Brazilian ethanol use that was about 60% higher than petrol.
- Food Security Issues: The argument that only surplus sugarcane and rice are diverted to fuel production may not hold in the longer term.
- Water Challenges – Sugarcane is a water intensive crop.
Steps taken by government to support biofuels
i. National Policy on Biofuels, 2018
ii. Pradhan Mantri Ji-Van Yojana (PMJY)
iii. Oil CPSEs are setting up 2G ethanol bio-refineries in the country at Panipat (Haryana), Bathinda (Punjab), Numaligarh (Assam), Bargarh (Odisha) and one demonstration project at Panipat..
iv. EBP and associated steps
v. National Bio-Energy Program (FY 2021-22 to 2025-26):
- It comprises of the following schemes:
1. Waste to Energy Programme (Program on Energy from Urban, Industrial, and
Agricultural Wastes/ Residues) to support setting up of large biogas, BioCNG, and
Power Plants (excluding MSW to Power projects)
2. Biomass Programme (Scheme to support manufacturing of Briquettes & Pellets
and Promotion of Biomass (non-bagasse) based congregation in Industries) to support setting up of pellets and briquettes for use in power generation and non bagasse based power generation projects.
3. Biogas Programme to support setting up family and medium Biogas in rural
areas.
vi. Biogas Promotion
vii. Advisory to carmakers to introduce flexible fuel engines in Vehicles:
viii. International Collaboration: For e.g. the Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA) is one of the top priorities under India’s G20 presidency.
- Brazil, India and the USA, as leading biofuel producers and consumers of the world have agreed to work together towards the development of this alliance along with other interested countries.
- This alliance will work towards facilitating cooperation and intensifying the use of sustainable biofuels, including in the transportation sector.
Way forward:
- The proposed expansion of 1G biofuel need to think about broader land use strategies by developing clear and detailed criteria for identifying land suitable for energy crops.
- Crucial factors like GHG emissions, local pollution, food security, land laws, and resource availability must also be considered.
- For 2G Biofuels –
- Locating the industries near feedstock availability: It is important to map feedstock location and then plan biofuel production capabilities.
- More R&D: Scope for the schemes like Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana needs to be expanded, and international grants and loans should be redirected towards 2G fuels.
- India also needs to develop alternative feedstock for biodiesel production.
- Millions of tonnes used cooking oil can be channelized here.
- Conclusion:
- Thus, the expansion of the biofuel sector needs to be multipronged and rooted in sustainability.
Ethanol Blending
- Process of mixing ethanol with Petrol is called Ethanol blending. The mixture is called as Ethanol Fuel/ Gasohol which is considered as a quasi-renewable energy.
- In India, the practice of blending ethanol was started in 2001. Ethanol blending was first time mentioned in the Auto Fuel Policy of 2003.
Benefits of Ethanol Blending
- Reduces vehicular emissions especially CO (Carbon Monoxides) emissions.
- It is cheaper than petrol as it is easier to manufacture.
- It reduces our import dependency.
- Trade balance, foreign exchange etc.
- Ethanol has higher octane rating than ethanol-free petrol
- In case of India Ethanol production can generate higher sugarcane prices for farmers.
Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Program was launched by the Government in 2003, and was aimed at promoting 5% blending of molasses-based ethanol with petrol, to promote the use of alternative and environment friendly fuels, to reduce import dependency for energy requirements and to increase value addition to Sugar industry enabling them to clear cane price arrears of farmers.
Central Financial Assistance (CFA) for biomass power projects includes installations from biomass
combustion, biomass gasification and bagasse co-generation.
Allowing conversion of surplus stock of rice with FCI and Maize to Ethanol.
- In June 2021, central government allocated 78,000 tonnes of rice from FCI for ethanol production.
Cabinet keeps on reviewing the prices for procurement of ethanol by public sector Oil Marketing Companies, to ensure better prices for farmers.
National Policy on Biofuels
Aims
- Reduce India’s oil import dependency.
- Provide better income opportunities to farmers by helping them dispose of their surplus stock in economic manner.
Key Highlights
- Aim (as amended in 2022): Country wide blending target of 20% ethanol by 2025 and 5% biodiesel by 2030.
- Categorization of Biofuels to enable extension of appropriate financial and fiscal incentives under each category.
1. Basic Biofuels viz. First Generation (1G) bioethanol and biodiesel
2. Advanced Biofuels – Second Generation (2G) Ethanol, Municipal Solid Waste to drop-in
fuels, Third Generation (3G biofuels), bio-CNG etc.
- Expands the scope of raw material for ethanol production
1. Allowing use of sugarcane juice, sugar containing materials like Sugar Beet, Sweet Sorghum, starch containing materials like Corn, Cassava, Damaged Food grains like wheat, broken rice, Rotten Potatoes unfit for human consumption for ethanol production.
- Allows use of surplus food grains for production of ethanol for blending with petrol
- A VGF for 2G Ethanol bio-refineries of Rs 5,000 crore in 6 years in addition to additional tax incentives, higher purchase price as compared to 1G biofuels.
- The new policy encourages setting up of supply chain mechanisms for biodiesel production from non-edible oilseeds, used cooking oil, short gestation crops.
- Specifies the role of all the concerned ministries/ Departments with respect to biofuels
2022 Amendment:
- Advance the deadline to reach the blending target of 20% bioethanol in petrol, from 2030 to 2025-26.
- It will promote the production of biofuels in the country, under the Make in India program, by units located in SEZs/Export Oriented Units (EOUs).
- Make additional feedstocks eligible for the production of biofuels.
Analysis: Expected Benefits
- The new policy addresses the supply side issues that had discouraged the production of bio-fuels within the country.
Conclusion
Biofuels in India are of strategic importance as it augurs well with the ongoing initiatives of the Government such as Make in India, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Skill Development and offers great opportunities to integrate with ambitious target of doubling farmers’ income, import reduction, employment generation, waste to energy creation.
Bio-CNG (Compressed Biogas)
- It is an upgraded version of biogas (the dung-based version of which serves as cooking fuel in many villages in India).
How Bio-CNG is produced?
- Pre-Treatment: The waste is passed through a filter to remove hard material like Coconut shells and pieces of wood.
- Shredding: the waste is shredded in a hammer mill and made into a slurry with water.
- Hydrolysis: The slurry is kept in the pre-digestor tank in aerobic conditions for one-two days to attract microbes – the process is called hydrolysis.
- Methanogenesis: After hydrolysis the slurry is transferred to anaerobic digestor where it is retained for 20-25 days. It is during methanogenesis that biogas is generated. This gas contains 65% methane, while the rest is Hydrogen Sulphide, carbondioxide, and water vapour.
- Purification: The above gas is passed through a wet and dry scrubber to remove hydrogen sulphide and CO2. Methane, purified upto 95% is obtained here which is then compressed at high pressure in cylinders and send to filling stations. This highly purified methane is similar in chemical properties to CNG derived from petroleum sources and can thus be used in vehicles.
Advantages:
- Renewable: The energy source is renewable and thus reduces India’s import dependency while ensuring Atmanirbharta and Make in India.
- Swatch Bharat: The production of Bio-CNG from biodegradable waste, agricultural residue, cow dung and chicken litter etc. can contribute to sanitation goals.
- Fighting Air Pollution:
- Bio-CNG helps deal with air pollution on three levels – curtail methane emission, wardoff waste burning and phase out fossil fuel powered vehicles.
- For e.g. the CBG plant inaugurated in Sangrur, Punjab will soon be processing 300 tons
per day of paddy straw and produce 33 tonnes per day of CBG.
- Strengthening Rural Economy, organic farming -> More income to farmers and More jobs in rural areas.
- Decentralized energy as it is produced closest to the point of consumption.
- No Intermittency like solar and wind as CBG could be produced at all hours.
Limitation:
- Maintenance cost of Bio-CNG based vehicles is higher.
- Further, users have complained that calorific value of Bio-CNG is lower than CNG as it contains moisture.
- Biogas plants are also sometimes seen as methane bombs as any emission of leak from digestor or pipelines can contribute to climate change significantly.
Government Initiatives:
- SATAT (Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transport) Initiative:
- Launched in 2018, it aims to promote production and use of Bio-CNG (Compressed BioGAS) in India. Under it, government sets up compressed Biogas (CBG) production plants and make available CBG in the market for use in automotive sector.
- National Bio-Energy Program (FY 2021-22 to 2025-26)
- Asia’s largest compressed biogas plant was inaugurated in Sangrur by Union Minister Hardeep S. Puri.
Example Questions
i. Discuss the key advantages of Biogas. What are the key initiatives by government of India to promote the creation of biogas plants in the country. [10 marks, 150 words]
ii. ‘Promoting biofuels in India is of strategic importance” Discuss in light of the National Biofuel Policy 2018. [15 marks, 250 words]
iii. Discuss the 3 generations of biofuels and their advantages and disadvantages. [10 marks, 150
words]
iv. “National Biofuel Policy is trying to balance India’s food security & energy security with farmer’s income security”. Discuss. [12.5 marks, 200 words]