Compressed Bio-Gas to be used as an alternate green transport fuel

The government of India is promoting Biofuels to reduce import dependence, address environmental issues, provide remunerative income to farmers and create employment avenues in rural areas. Biofuel programme is also in synergy with other initiatives of the Government of India such as Make in India, Swachh Bharat and doubling farmers income. In such endeavor, Government of India has also notified National Policy on Biofuels, 2018 recently which emphasizes the promotion of advanced Biofuels including Bio CNG/Compressed Bio Gas (CBG).

In view of the programme and also to emphasize in a result-oriented manner, the Government of India Launched "SATAT" - Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation scheme to invite Expression of Interest (EOI) to procure Compressed Bio Gas.

The importance of the CBG is that the conversion of agricultural residue, cattle dung, press mud, spent wash, municipal solid waste (MSW) etc. into CBG have the benefits of reduction in import of natural gas, reduction in emission and environmental pollution. This will also provide sustainable solution for waste management and provide clean energy as well as additional income to farmers and employment generation in rural areas.

Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Shri Dharmendra Pradhan launched the innovative initiatives with Public Sector Undertaking Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs, that is, Indian Oil, BPC and HPC) inviting Expression of Interest (EoI) from potential entrepreneurs to set up Compressed Bio Gas (CBG) production plants and make available CBG in the market for use in automotive fuels.

Use of compressed Bio-Gas will also help bring down dependency on crude oil imports and in realizing the Prime Minister`s vision of enhancing farmers` income, rural employment, and entrepreneurship.

The National Policy on Biofuels 2018 emphasises active promotion of advanced biofuels, including CBG. The Government of India had launched the GOBHAR-DHAN (Galvanising Organic Bio-Agro Resources) scheme earlier this year to convert cattle dung and solid waste in farms to CBG and compost. The scheme proposes to cover 700 projects across the country in 2018-19. The programme will be funded under Solid and Liquid Waste Management (SLWM) component of Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin (SBM-G) to benefit households in identified villages through Gram Panchayats. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has notified Central Financial Assistance (CFA) of Rs.4 crore per 4,800 kg of CBG per day generated from 12,000 cubic meters of biogas per day, with a maximum of Rs.10 crore per project.

Hon`ble Minister Dharmendra Pradhan emphasized in his address that what is considered as waste today can be transformed into energy in the near future! Every bit of biomass can be used to produce bio-gas and bio-manure. This will go a long way in making India energy self-reliant, help combat global warming and mitigate climate change. The Government of India is committed to transfo4ming India into Sasya-Syamala Bharat, a Sujala-Suphala Bharat.

Going forward, Compressed Bio-Gas networks can be integrated with city gas distribution (CGD) networks to boost supplies to domestic and retail users in existing and upcoming markets. Besides retailing from OMC fuel stations, Compressed Bio-Gas can at a later date be injected into CGD pipelines too for efficient distribution and optimized access of a cleaner and more affordable fuel.

Many interested in setting up the plant or having their capacity to take part in the expression of interest were also present. Krishi Jagran had a discussion with few, the selected are S/Shri Suhas Bhand, Chairman and Ashok ji of Organic Recycling Systems Pvt Lt., Shri Keshav Goela, Director of Gas Labs Asia Shri Gagandeep Singh Sarna, Director of the Greenfields Biotech Power Pvt. Ltd. and Shri Som Narayan of Carbonlites. Shri Milind S Patke, Executive Director (HSSE & Bio-fuel) of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, Mumbai and many from the Indian Oil were taking part in the deliberations.