BIOFUELS | IAS GYAN

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Context

On the occasion of World Biofuel Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the 2nd generation (2G) ethanol plant set up at the Indian Oil Corporation’s Panipat refinery in Haryana.
This plant will not only help reduce air pollution from the Delhi–NCR region but also help generate additional income and green fuel.

Biofuels

Biofuels are liquid or gaseous fuels primarily produced from biomass —that is, plant or algae material or animal waste.
Biofuels can be used to replace or can be used in addition to diesel, petrol or other fossil fuels for transport, stationary, portable and other applications.
Ethanol and biodiesel are the two main transport biofuels. These fuels can be produced from a variety of biomass.

Categories of biofuels

First generation biofuels- First-generation biofuels are made from sugar, starch, vegetable oil, or animal fats using conventional technology. Common first-generation biofuels include Bioalcohols, Biodiesel, Vegetable oil, Bioethers, Biogas.
Second generation biofuels -These are produced from non-food crops, such as cellulosic biofuels and waste biomass (stalks of wheat and corn, and wood). Examples include advanced biofuels like biohydrogen, biomethanol.
Third generation biofuels- These are produced from micro-organisms like algae.
Fourth generation biofuels- These are produced from genetically modified (GM) algae to enhance biofuel production.

Note: The prices of both sugarcane and bio-ethanol are set by the central government.

India’s Biofuel Economy

India is one of the fastest growing economies and the third largest consumer of primary energy in the world after the US and China.
India’s fuel energy security will remain vulnerable until alternative fuels are developed based on renewable feedstocks.
The government of India targets reducing the country’s carbon footprint by 30-35% by the year 2030.
These targets will be achieved through a five-pronged strategywhich includes:
- Increasing domestic production
- adopting biofuels and renewable
- implementing energy efficiency norms
- improving refinery processes and
- achieving demand substitution.
The government of India has proposed a target of 20% blending of ethanol in petrol and 5% blending of biodiesel in diesel by 2030and introduced multiple initiatives to increase indigenous production of biofuels.

What are 1G and 2G biofuels?

1G Bioethanol plants utilise sugarcane juice and molasses, byproducts in the production of sugar, as raw material.
2G plants utilise surplus biomass and agricultural waste to produce Bioethanol.
Third generation biofuels- These are produced from micro-organisms like algae.
Fourth generation biofuels- These are produced from genetically modified (GM) algae to enhance biofuel production.
The prices of both sugarcane and bio-ethanol are set by the central government.

Benefits of India’s ethanol blending mandates include:

Reduce Import Dependency: Will saves foreign exchange (forex).
Cleaner Environment: Reducing crop burning and converting agricultural residues/wastes to biofuels will further reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Health Benefits:Prolonged reuse of cooking oil for preparing food, particularly in deep-frying, is a potential health hazard and can lead to many diseases. Used cooking oil (UCO) is a potential feedstock for biodiesel and its use for making biodiesel prevents reuse of UCO within the food industry.
Solid Waste Management: There are technologies available, which can convert solid waste and plastics to drop-in fuels.
Infrastructural Investment in Rural Areas:Establishing additional 2G biorefineries across the country will spur infrastructural investment in rural areas.
Employment Generation:2G biorefinery can contribute 1200 jobs across plant operations, village level entrepreneurs and supply chain management.
Additional Income to Farmers:By adopting 2G technologies, agricultural residues/wastes that otherwise are burnt can be converted to ethanol. Farmers can realise an additional revenue source if markets are developed for these residues/wastes.

Major programs supporting the development of biofuels production and use in India include:

Viable gap funding (VGF)for commercial scale 2G ethanol plants under Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana
Financial assistance for demonstration scale 2G integrated bioethanol under Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana.
Grants for research and development from DBT to 5 Centres for Excellence in the Bioenergy area.
The National Policy on Biofuels 2018specifically promotes advanced biofuels to achieve a target of 20% blending of biofuels with fossil-based fuels by 2030.

Measures that can improve Bio-fuel economy:

Currently in India, Biofuel development is centred around the cultivation of Jatropha plant seeds. There is need to develop new feedstock for biofuels.
To facilitate the blending of biofuels with conventional fuels, there is need to set up advanced biorefineries.
Research and development should be promoted to support generation of bio-fuel from waste. As it will ensure realizing the goal of waste management and waste to energy.