Biomass utilisation in the power sector is expected to nearly triple this financial year to 2.5 mill

Under the SAMARTH Biomass Mission, the central government aims to promote biomass energy development through eco-friendly and cost-effective processes involving policy and market support.

Baweja stated in an exclusive interview: "Earlier, we were expecting our projections around 17.5 lakh metric tonnes; but we now expect that will cross 2.5 million metric tonnes for the current financial year. Already, about 1.3 million metric tonnes were consumed till now in that period."

India annually generates about 230 million tonnes of surplus agricultural residues. Despite this, Baweja said only about 3.2 million tonnes are currently used for energy generation.

He said if this 100 million metric tonnes of bio-waste was utilized in the country to produce biofuels, it would create market opportunities worth upwards of ₹65,000 crore.

Torrefaction technology is introduced to enhance the efficiency of biomass in energy production.

"This is a special technology where the biomass is heated in the absence of oxygen so that volatile matter gets released. It becomes just like charcoal. It gives better performance in coldness," he said.

These pellets have higher energy density and better strength compared to regular biomass. Currently in the market, torrefied biomass pellets are sold for ₹28-35 thousand per metric tonne.

The step is in the direction of incentivising farmers to stop burning the crop residue and instead supply it to the pellet manufacturers.

The Ministry of Agriculture has established Custom Hiring Centres that provide baling machines to collect and bundle agricultural waste for sale.

"There are certain aggregators. The Agriculture Ministry has developed Custom Hiring Centres where they provide the baling machine so that the agri-residue is cleaned from the field, bailed, and sold to pellet plants," Baweja added.

Enforcement has now started to get stricter for continued stubble burning in certain states, including filing of FIRs against offenders.

"If these farmers are getting an alternative viable medium, they will definitely go for pellet manufacturing," he added.

In the view of Baweja, under the short-term scenario, co-firing in existing coal-based plants would be a cost-effective solution instead of 100 per cent biomass use which is already being operational by some biomass power plants in full capacity, especially in Punjab.

In the view of Baweja, under the short-term scenario, co-firing in existing coal-based plants would be a cost-effective solution instead of 100 per cent biomass use which is already being operational by some biomass power plants in full capacity, especially in Punjab.

"My gut feeling is that co-firing is better than 100 per cent burning of biomass because you will require new investment to set up that plant. Here, the plant is already there," he elucidated.

The emphasis on biomass is a part of the more extensive Bioenergy Policy 2022, which looks to tap into India´s vast agricultural base for sustainable energy requirements. The other area growing tremendously is Compressed Biogas (CBG), which achieves a production capacity of 1,000 tonnes per day.

For More Details Visit: https://zenithenergy.com/biomass-utilisation-power-sector-to-triple-25-million-tonnes/

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