Buy Titagarh Industries.
BackGround:
Titagarh Industries (www.titagarh.biz) located in kolkata, they have spread their business in the following sectors:
Wagon Manufacture,Special Projects ,Heavy Earth Moving & Mining Equipment ,Foundry Division ,Rail Coach ,Special Projects,Heavy Earth Moving & Mining Equipment,Foundry Division ,Rail Coach
Market News:
GE Equipment Services, part of GE India, Monday announced a strategic tie-up with Indian wagon-maker Titagarh Wagons Ltd. (TWL) to develop and upgrade India's railway infrastructure.
GE Equipment Services, which picked up 15 percent equity in Kolkata-based TWL, would also become its preferred provider of vendor financing.
'This partnership would be a major step towards our efforts in increasing our footprint in India. We are going to make many such strategic partnerships and investments that would advance India's infrastructure,' Dhananjay Nalawade, president of GE Equipment Services, told reporters here.
Reiterating the company's vision to become a $8 billion entity by 2010, Nalawade said a major portion of the revenue would be contributed by the Equipment Services business.
'Our alliance with GE is to offer innovative value added proposition to the ultimate customers,' said Umesh Chowdhary, managing director, TWL.
'We would also explore other business opportunities through this tie-up like exporting wagons to other countries where GE already has wagon fleets operating,' Chowdhary added.
Plzz Visit website: http://www.indiaprwire.com/businessnews/20070723/23579.htm
CMP: Rs 37 Target Rs 100 by April'2008
Long term target Rs 300 by End'2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
An article:BUTANOL PRODUCTION FROM AGRICULTURAL BIOMASS -
Publication Date: October 1, 2005 Abstract only
-->Citation: Qureshi, N., Blaschek, H.P. 2006. Butanol production from agricultural biomass. In: Shetty, K., Paliyath, G., Pometto, A., Levin, R.E., editors. Food Biotechnology. Boca Raton, FL: Taylor & Francis. p. 525-549.
Technical Abstract: This is a summary of an invited chapter (Butanol production from agricultural biomass) to be published in "Food Biotechnology." Butanol is an excellent fuel which can be produced from various agricultural products, byproducts, and waste products. These include corn, corn fiber, potato and potato waste, whey permeate, molasses, fruit industry waste, wheat straw, rice husk, corn stalk, etc. The chapter details suitable substrates that can be used effectively using various butanol producing cultures (including Clostribium acetobutylicum, C. beijerinskii, etc.). It also details various upstream processing steps that are necessary prior to butanol fermentation. In addition, technologies that may make butanol fermentation economically viable have been discussed. Other aspects such as recovery of butanol using economically viable techniques, process integration, genetics of C. beijerinskii, and sugar transport in butanol producing culture(s) have also been discussed.
-->Citation: Qureshi, N., Blaschek, H.P. 2006. Butanol production from agricultural biomass. In: Shetty, K., Paliyath, G., Pometto, A., Levin, R.E., editors. Food Biotechnology. Boca Raton, FL: Taylor & Francis. p. 525-549.
Technical Abstract: This is a summary of an invited chapter (Butanol production from agricultural biomass) to be published in "Food Biotechnology." Butanol is an excellent fuel which can be produced from various agricultural products, byproducts, and waste products. These include corn, corn fiber, potato and potato waste, whey permeate, molasses, fruit industry waste, wheat straw, rice husk, corn stalk, etc. The chapter details suitable substrates that can be used effectively using various butanol producing cultures (including Clostribium acetobutylicum, C. beijerinskii, etc.). It also details various upstream processing steps that are necessary prior to butanol fermentation. In addition, technologies that may make butanol fermentation economically viable have been discussed. Other aspects such as recovery of butanol using economically viable techniques, process integration, genetics of C. beijerinskii, and sugar transport in butanol producing culture(s) have also been discussed.
B100 – B100 is another name for pure biodiesel.
Bio Diesel Terminology:
Here I posted some terminologies used in bio-diesel Process:
Algae – Algae are primitive plants, usually aquatic, capable of synthesising their own food by photosynthesis. Algae is currently being investigated as a possible feedstock for producing biodiesel
Biobutanol – Biobutanol is an advantaged biofuel that offers a number of benefits over conventional biofuels. For example, biobutanol has an energy content closer to that of petroleum so consumers face less of a compromise on fuel economy. It can easily be added to conventional petrol due to low vapour pressure and can be blended at higher concentrations than bioethanol for use in standard vehicle engines. DuPont and BP are working together on a major project to produce biobutanol
Biodiesel – Biodiesel is a biofuel produced from various feedstocks including vegetable oils (such as oilseed, rapeseed and soya bean), animal fats or algae. Biodiesel can be blended with diesel for use in diesel engine vehicles.
Biofuel – The term biofuel applies to any solid, liquid, or gaseous fuel produced from organic (once-living) matter. The word biofuel covers a wide range of products, some of which are commercially available today, and some of which are still in research and development.
Biomass – Biomass is biological material, including corn, switchgrass, and oilseed crops, that can be converted into fuel
Bioreactor – A bioreactor is a vessel in which a chemical process occurs. This usually involves organisms or biochemically active substances derived from such organisms
BTL – BTL, or biomass-to-liquid,is a multi-step process which converts biomass into liquid biofuels. BTL is also referred to as second generation biodiesel production. There are many different methods of BTL, but many processes include Fischer-Tropsch, hydrogenation or pyrolysis.
By-product – A by-product is a substance, other than the principal product, generated as a consequence of creating a biofuel. For example, a by-product of biodiesel production is glycerine and a by-product of bioethanol production is DDGS
Catalyst – A catalyst is a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction, without being consumed or produced by the reaction. Enzymes are catalysts for many biochemical reactions.
Cetane number – The cetane number is a measure of biodiesel’s combustion quality
Conventional biofuels - Conventional biofuels such as bioethanol and biodiesel are typically made from corn, sugarcane and beet, wheat or oilseed crops such as soy and rape.
DDGS – DDGS, or dried distillers grain with solubles is a by-product of dry mill ethanol production that is fed to livestock.
Emissions: Emissions are classed as any waste substances released into the air or water.
Enzyme: An enzyme is a protein or protein-based molecule that speeds up chemical reactions occurring in living things. Enzymes act as catalysts for a single reaction, converting a specific set of reactants into specific products.
FAME – FAME, or fatty acid methyl ester can be created by a catalysed reaction between fatty acids and methanol. The molecules in biodiesel are primarily FAMEs, usually obtained from vegetable oils by transesterification.
Fatty acid: A fatty acid is a carboxylic acid (an acid with a -COOH group) with long hydrocarbon side chains. Feedstocks are first converted to fatty acids and then to biodiesel
Feedstock – A feedstock is any biomass resource destined for conversion to energy or biofuel. For example, corn is a feedstock for ethanol production, soybean oil may be a feedstock for biodiesel and cellulosic biomass has the potential to be a significant feedstock source for biofuels.
Fischer-Tropsch – Fischer-Tropsch is one method of producing biodiesel, from natural gas or syngas from gasified coal or biomass
Fuel - A fuel is described as any material with one type of energy that can be converted to another usable energy.
Glycerine- Glycerine is a liquid by-product of biodiesel production. Glycerine is used in the manufacture of dynamite, cosmetics, liquid soaps, inks, and lubricants.
GTL – GTL, or gas to liquid, is a refinery process which converts natural gas into longer-chain hydrocarbons. Gas can be converted to liquid fuels via a direct conversion or using a process such as Fischer-Tropsch.
Iodine value – An iodine value is a measure of the number of unsaturated carbon-carbon double bonds in a vegetable oil molecule. In liquid biofuel applications this gives a lower cold filter plugging point (CFPP) or cloud point. While this makes it good for use in cooler temperatures, double bonds can allow polymerisation, leading to the formation of lacquers and possibly blockage and damage to engine or fuel train components
Jatropha - Jatropha is a non-edible evergreen shrub found in Asia, Africa and the West Indies. Its seeds contain a high proportion of oil which can be used for making biodiesel.
Methanol – Methanol is an alcohol containing one carbon atom per molecule, generally made from natural gas, with about half the energy density of petroleum. Methanol is used as a component in the transesterification of triglycerides to give a form of biodiesel.
MTBE – MTBE, or methyl tertiary-butyl ether, is created from methanol and can increase octane and decrease the volatility of petroleum. It is often used as a petroleum additive because it raises the oxygen content of the fuel.
Nitrogen Oxides – Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) are a product of photochemical reactions of nitric oxide in ambient air, and are one type of emission produces from fuels.
Octane number - The octane rating of a fuel is indicated on the pump. The higher the number, the slower the fuel burns. Bioethanol typically adds two to three octane numbers when blended with ordinary petroleum – making it a cost-effective octane-enhancer.
Palm oil – Palm oil is a form of vegetable oil obtained from the fruit of the oil palm tree. It is a widely used feedstock The palm oil and palm kernel oil are composed of fatty acids, esterified with glycerol just like any ordinary fat. Palm oil is a widely used feedstock for traditional biodiesel production.
Petroleum - Petroleum refers to any petroleum-based substance comprising of a complex blend of hydrocarbons derived from crude oil through the process of separation, conversion, upgrading, and finishing, including motor fuel, jet oil, lubricants, petroleum solvents, and used oil.
Pyrolysis – Pyrolysis is one method of converting biomass into biodiesel, using heat.
Pyrolysis oil – Pyrolysis oil is a bio-oil produced by fast pyrolysis of biomass. It is a dark brown, mobile liquid containing much of the energy content of the original biomass, with a heating value about half that of conventional fuel oil. Conversion of raw biomass to pyrolysis oil represents a considerable increase in energy density and it can thus represent a more efficient form in which to transport it.
Rapeseed - Rapeseed (Brassica napus), also known as rape, oilseed rape or (one particular artificial variety) canola, is a bright yellow flowering member of the family Brassicaceae (mustard or cabbage family). Rapeseed is a tradition feedstock used for biodiesel production.
RTFO – RTFO, or the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation, is a UK policy that places an obligation on fuel suppliers to ensure that a certain percentage of their aggregate sales is made up of biofuels. The effect of this will be to require 5% of all UK fuel sold on UK forecourts to come from a renewable source by 2010.
Second generation biofuels – Although definitions vary, second generation biofuels are usually considered to be biofuels produced from biomass or non-edible feedstocks.
Syngas – Syngas is a mixture of carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen (H2) which is the product of high temperature gasification of organic material such as biomass. Following clean-up to remove any impurities such as tars, synthesis gas (syngas) can be used to synthesise organic molecules such as synthetic natural gas (SNG - methane (CH4)) or liquid biofuels such as synthetic diesel (via Fischer-Tropsch synthesis).
Switchgrass – Switchgrass is native to the US and known for its hardiness and rapid growth. It is often cited as a potentially abundant second generation feedstock for ethanol
Tallow – Tallow is another name for animal fat, which can be used as a feedstock for biodiesel production.
Transesterification – The name biodiesel has been given to transesterified vegetable oil to describe its use as a diesel fuel. The transesterification process involves mixing at room temperature methanol (50% excess) with NaOH (100% excess), then mixing vigorously with vegetable oil and letting the glycerol settle (about 15% of the biodiesel mix). The supernatant is biodiesel and contains a mixture of methylated fatty acids and methanol.
VOC –VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, are air pollutants found in engine exhaust. Bioethanol helps reduce VOC emissions.
Yeast – Yeast is any of various single-cell fungi capable of fermenting carbohydrates. Bioethanol is produced by fermenting sugars with yeast.
Algae – Algae are primitive plants, usually aquatic, capable of synthesising their own food by photosynthesis. Algae is currently being investigated as a possible feedstock for producing biodiesel
Biobutanol – Biobutanol is an advantaged biofuel that offers a number of benefits over conventional biofuels. For example, biobutanol has an energy content closer to that of petroleum so consumers face less of a compromise on fuel economy. It can easily be added to conventional petrol due to low vapour pressure and can be blended at higher concentrations than bioethanol for use in standard vehicle engines. DuPont and BP are working together on a major project to produce biobutanol
Biodiesel – Biodiesel is a biofuel produced from various feedstocks including vegetable oils (such as oilseed, rapeseed and soya bean), animal fats or algae. Biodiesel can be blended with diesel for use in diesel engine vehicles.
Biofuel – The term biofuel applies to any solid, liquid, or gaseous fuel produced from organic (once-living) matter. The word biofuel covers a wide range of products, some of which are commercially available today, and some of which are still in research and development.
Biomass – Biomass is biological material, including corn, switchgrass, and oilseed crops, that can be converted into fuel
Bioreactor – A bioreactor is a vessel in which a chemical process occurs. This usually involves organisms or biochemically active substances derived from such organisms
BTL – BTL, or biomass-to-liquid,is a multi-step process which converts biomass into liquid biofuels. BTL is also referred to as second generation biodiesel production. There are many different methods of BTL, but many processes include Fischer-Tropsch, hydrogenation or pyrolysis.
By-product – A by-product is a substance, other than the principal product, generated as a consequence of creating a biofuel. For example, a by-product of biodiesel production is glycerine and a by-product of bioethanol production is DDGS
Catalyst – A catalyst is a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction, without being consumed or produced by the reaction. Enzymes are catalysts for many biochemical reactions.
Cetane number – The cetane number is a measure of biodiesel’s combustion quality
Conventional biofuels - Conventional biofuels such as bioethanol and biodiesel are typically made from corn, sugarcane and beet, wheat or oilseed crops such as soy and rape.
DDGS – DDGS, or dried distillers grain with solubles is a by-product of dry mill ethanol production that is fed to livestock.
Emissions: Emissions are classed as any waste substances released into the air or water.
Enzyme: An enzyme is a protein or protein-based molecule that speeds up chemical reactions occurring in living things. Enzymes act as catalysts for a single reaction, converting a specific set of reactants into specific products.
FAME – FAME, or fatty acid methyl ester can be created by a catalysed reaction between fatty acids and methanol. The molecules in biodiesel are primarily FAMEs, usually obtained from vegetable oils by transesterification.
Fatty acid: A fatty acid is a carboxylic acid (an acid with a -COOH group) with long hydrocarbon side chains. Feedstocks are first converted to fatty acids and then to biodiesel
Feedstock – A feedstock is any biomass resource destined for conversion to energy or biofuel. For example, corn is a feedstock for ethanol production, soybean oil may be a feedstock for biodiesel and cellulosic biomass has the potential to be a significant feedstock source for biofuels.
Fischer-Tropsch – Fischer-Tropsch is one method of producing biodiesel, from natural gas or syngas from gasified coal or biomass
Fuel - A fuel is described as any material with one type of energy that can be converted to another usable energy.
Glycerine- Glycerine is a liquid by-product of biodiesel production. Glycerine is used in the manufacture of dynamite, cosmetics, liquid soaps, inks, and lubricants.
GTL – GTL, or gas to liquid, is a refinery process which converts natural gas into longer-chain hydrocarbons. Gas can be converted to liquid fuels via a direct conversion or using a process such as Fischer-Tropsch.
Iodine value – An iodine value is a measure of the number of unsaturated carbon-carbon double bonds in a vegetable oil molecule. In liquid biofuel applications this gives a lower cold filter plugging point (CFPP) or cloud point. While this makes it good for use in cooler temperatures, double bonds can allow polymerisation, leading to the formation of lacquers and possibly blockage and damage to engine or fuel train components
Jatropha - Jatropha is a non-edible evergreen shrub found in Asia, Africa and the West Indies. Its seeds contain a high proportion of oil which can be used for making biodiesel.
Methanol – Methanol is an alcohol containing one carbon atom per molecule, generally made from natural gas, with about half the energy density of petroleum. Methanol is used as a component in the transesterification of triglycerides to give a form of biodiesel.
MTBE – MTBE, or methyl tertiary-butyl ether, is created from methanol and can increase octane and decrease the volatility of petroleum. It is often used as a petroleum additive because it raises the oxygen content of the fuel.
Nitrogen Oxides – Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) are a product of photochemical reactions of nitric oxide in ambient air, and are one type of emission produces from fuels.
Octane number - The octane rating of a fuel is indicated on the pump. The higher the number, the slower the fuel burns. Bioethanol typically adds two to three octane numbers when blended with ordinary petroleum – making it a cost-effective octane-enhancer.
Palm oil – Palm oil is a form of vegetable oil obtained from the fruit of the oil palm tree. It is a widely used feedstock The palm oil and palm kernel oil are composed of fatty acids, esterified with glycerol just like any ordinary fat. Palm oil is a widely used feedstock for traditional biodiesel production.
Petroleum - Petroleum refers to any petroleum-based substance comprising of a complex blend of hydrocarbons derived from crude oil through the process of separation, conversion, upgrading, and finishing, including motor fuel, jet oil, lubricants, petroleum solvents, and used oil.
Pyrolysis – Pyrolysis is one method of converting biomass into biodiesel, using heat.
Pyrolysis oil – Pyrolysis oil is a bio-oil produced by fast pyrolysis of biomass. It is a dark brown, mobile liquid containing much of the energy content of the original biomass, with a heating value about half that of conventional fuel oil. Conversion of raw biomass to pyrolysis oil represents a considerable increase in energy density and it can thus represent a more efficient form in which to transport it.
Rapeseed - Rapeseed (Brassica napus), also known as rape, oilseed rape or (one particular artificial variety) canola, is a bright yellow flowering member of the family Brassicaceae (mustard or cabbage family). Rapeseed is a tradition feedstock used for biodiesel production.
RTFO – RTFO, or the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation, is a UK policy that places an obligation on fuel suppliers to ensure that a certain percentage of their aggregate sales is made up of biofuels. The effect of this will be to require 5% of all UK fuel sold on UK forecourts to come from a renewable source by 2010.
Second generation biofuels – Although definitions vary, second generation biofuels are usually considered to be biofuels produced from biomass or non-edible feedstocks.
Syngas – Syngas is a mixture of carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen (H2) which is the product of high temperature gasification of organic material such as biomass. Following clean-up to remove any impurities such as tars, synthesis gas (syngas) can be used to synthesise organic molecules such as synthetic natural gas (SNG - methane (CH4)) or liquid biofuels such as synthetic diesel (via Fischer-Tropsch synthesis).
Switchgrass – Switchgrass is native to the US and known for its hardiness and rapid growth. It is often cited as a potentially abundant second generation feedstock for ethanol
Tallow – Tallow is another name for animal fat, which can be used as a feedstock for biodiesel production.
Transesterification – The name biodiesel has been given to transesterified vegetable oil to describe its use as a diesel fuel. The transesterification process involves mixing at room temperature methanol (50% excess) with NaOH (100% excess), then mixing vigorously with vegetable oil and letting the glycerol settle (about 15% of the biodiesel mix). The supernatant is biodiesel and contains a mixture of methylated fatty acids and methanol.
VOC –VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, are air pollutants found in engine exhaust. Bioethanol helps reduce VOC emissions.
Yeast – Yeast is any of various single-cell fungi capable of fermenting carbohydrates. Bioethanol is produced by fermenting sugars with yeast.
BioDiesel Events details
FEBRUARY
18-19
Bioenergy Europe
London, UK
21-22
Biofuels India 2008
New Delhi, India
25-27
13th Annual National Ethanol Conference
Florida, US
26-27
StocExpo Russia and the Baltic
Helsinki, Finland
28-29
China Biodiesel 2008: Feedstock & Markets
Beijing, China
MARCH
4-6
Washington International Renewable Energy Conference
Washington, US
10-13
3rd Annual African Biofuels
South Africa
11-12
The European Fuels Conference
Paris, France
12-14
World Biofuels Markets Congress and Exhibition
Brussels, Belgium
13-14
Biofuel - A New Market Niche
Riga, Latvia
27-28
Biofuels Asia 2008
Bangkok, Thailand
31-4
ERTC Biofuels and Conference
Brussels, Belgium
APRIL
1-3
StocExpo Europe
Rotterdam, the Netherlands
2-4
Biofuels Ukraine
Kyiv, Ukraine
7-8
Platts Ethanol in Europe
Berlin, Germany
8-10
Biofuel Summit & Expo
St Petersburg, Russia
22-24
Biofuel Summit & Expo Espana
Madrid, Spain
24-26
RENEXPO Central and South-East Europe 2008
Budapest, Hungary
27-29
2008 Asia International New Energy Technology & Equipment Exhibition
Beijing, China
27-30
5th Annual World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing
Chicago, US
28-30
Bioenergy 2008
Bangkok, Thailand
MAY
11-14
Alternative Fuels & Vehicles National Conference & Expo
Las Vegas, US
19-21
Renewable Energy Finance and Investment Summit
Arizona, US
27-29
World Bioenergy 2008: Conference & Exhibition
Jonkoping, Sweden
JUNE
2-6
16th European Biomass Conference & Exhibition
Valencia, Spain
3-5
BioEnergy Conference and Exhibition 2008
British Columbia, Canada
4-5
Biofuels International Expo & Conference
The Ahoy, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
10-11
World Biofuels Forum 2008
Prague, Czech Republic
10-11
Clean Fuels 2008
Warsaw, Poland
16-19
Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo
Tennessee, US
JULY
9-11
BioFuels World 2008 Conference & Expo
Yokohama, Japan
AUGUST
21-23
Renewable Energy India 2008 Expo
New Delhi, India
SEPTEMBER
15-17
Alternative Energy Sources & Technologies
Boston, Massachusetts, US
27-30
World Congress on Oils & Fats
Australia
OCTOBER
1-4
4th International expo: biofuel industry & technology
Rome, Italy
15-16
StocExpo Asia
Singapore
21-23
Biofuels Summit & Expo
Buenos Aires, Argentina
NOVEMBER
5-8
Biofuels Summit & Expo
Rimini, Italy
DECEMBER
2-3
StocExpo South America
Sao Paulo, Brazil
18-19
Bioenergy Europe
London, UK
21-22
Biofuels India 2008
New Delhi, India
25-27
13th Annual National Ethanol Conference
Florida, US
26-27
StocExpo Russia and the Baltic
Helsinki, Finland
28-29
China Biodiesel 2008: Feedstock & Markets
Beijing, China
MARCH
4-6
Washington International Renewable Energy Conference
Washington, US
10-13
3rd Annual African Biofuels
South Africa
11-12
The European Fuels Conference
Paris, France
12-14
World Biofuels Markets Congress and Exhibition
Brussels, Belgium
13-14
Biofuel - A New Market Niche
Riga, Latvia
27-28
Biofuels Asia 2008
Bangkok, Thailand
31-4
ERTC Biofuels and Conference
Brussels, Belgium
APRIL
1-3
StocExpo Europe
Rotterdam, the Netherlands
2-4
Biofuels Ukraine
Kyiv, Ukraine
7-8
Platts Ethanol in Europe
Berlin, Germany
8-10
Biofuel Summit & Expo
St Petersburg, Russia
22-24
Biofuel Summit & Expo Espana
Madrid, Spain
24-26
RENEXPO Central and South-East Europe 2008
Budapest, Hungary
27-29
2008 Asia International New Energy Technology & Equipment Exhibition
Beijing, China
27-30
5th Annual World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing
Chicago, US
28-30
Bioenergy 2008
Bangkok, Thailand
MAY
11-14
Alternative Fuels & Vehicles National Conference & Expo
Las Vegas, US
19-21
Renewable Energy Finance and Investment Summit
Arizona, US
27-29
World Bioenergy 2008: Conference & Exhibition
Jonkoping, Sweden
JUNE
2-6
16th European Biomass Conference & Exhibition
Valencia, Spain
3-5
BioEnergy Conference and Exhibition 2008
British Columbia, Canada
4-5
Biofuels International Expo & Conference
The Ahoy, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
10-11
World Biofuels Forum 2008
Prague, Czech Republic
10-11
Clean Fuels 2008
Warsaw, Poland
16-19
Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo
Tennessee, US
JULY
9-11
BioFuels World 2008 Conference & Expo
Yokohama, Japan
AUGUST
21-23
Renewable Energy India 2008 Expo
New Delhi, India
SEPTEMBER
15-17
Alternative Energy Sources & Technologies
Boston, Massachusetts, US
27-30
World Congress on Oils & Fats
Australia
OCTOBER
1-4
4th International expo: biofuel industry & technology
Rome, Italy
15-16
StocExpo Asia
Singapore
21-23
Biofuels Summit & Expo
Buenos Aires, Argentina
NOVEMBER
5-8
Biofuels Summit & Expo
Rimini, Italy
DECEMBER
2-3
StocExpo South America
Sao Paulo, Brazil
Renewable energy in India: status and future prospects
Introduction
India is a developing and fast-growing large economy and faces a great challenge to meet its energy needs in a responsible and sustainable manner. India's task is to provide energy to over 600,000 human settlements, spread over 300,000 square km of territory, with a population of over one billion which is still growing, but expected to stabilise at around 1.6 billion during the next 40 years. The total primary energy supply in India has grown at a compound rate of around 3.4 per cent since independence to reach 537.7Mtoe (million tonnes of oil equivalent) in the year 2005 (IEA 2007). While commercial primary energy grew at 5.3 per cent over the period, non-commercial energy grew at only 1.6 per cent, which is a reflection of industrialisation. As a result, the share of commercial energy grew from 28 per cent in 1950 to around 70 per cent in 2004 with an associated decline of non-commercial energy.
In 2005, India accounted for 4.7 per cent of the world's primary energy supply. Per capita energy consumption was just 27 per cent of the world average at slightly over 500kg oil equivalent.
Electric power
India accounted for 3.1 per cent of the world's electricity consumption in 2005 with an installed capacity of 135,780 MW as of September 2007. Of this, 87,200 MW is accounted for by thermal power plants, 34,200 MW by large hydro plants, 4,100 MW by nuclear, and the balance from renewable sources. The consumption of electricity in India rose from 4,157 GWh in 1950 to 38,6134 GWh in 2004/05. The per capita consumption was 612 kWh in 2004/05 as against 329 kWh in 1990 (CEA). Despite the significant growth in electricity generation, shortage of power continues to exist primarily due to the growth in power demand outstripping the growth in generation and generating capacity addition. In May 2007, the country experienced an estimated eight per cent energy shortage and 12.3 per cent shortage of peaking power. Even so, the 2001 census recorded 12 .5 per cent of urban households and 56.5 per cent of rural households as still unelectrified.
Modern energy provision
One of India's major challenges is to provide a large proportion of the country's population with access to modern energy sources. Around 86 per cent of rural households and more than 20 per cent of urban households still rely primarily on traditional fuels, such as firewood, wood chips or dung cakes, to meet their cooking needs. The use of traditional fuels can cause health problems arising from indoor air pollution. Only five per cent and 2.7 per cent of rural households use LPG and kerosene respectively as a primary cooking fuel whereas 44 per cent and 22 per cent of urban households uses LPG and kerosene respectively. With low standards of living, ie below the per-person-a-day International Poverty Line of US$2, at Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) rates of about 75 per cent population, the task of providing modern energy services becomes severely compounded. This has resulted in low levels of per capita energy and electricity consumption on account of low levels of purchasing power.
Projections made by the Integrated Energy Policy Committee of the Planning Commission have estimated that in order to meet the projected GDP growth of eight per cent per annum by 2031-2032, the demand for primary energy will increase to 1,836Mtoe representing almost a four fold increase since 2003-04. Commercial energy requirements would also be around 1,651Mtoe, which is an approximate five fold increase since the year 2003-04.
Renewable energy
India intends to provide a reliable energy supply through a diverse and sustainable fuel mix that addresses major national drivers. These include security concerns, commercial exploitation of renewable power potential, eradication of energy poverty, ensuring availability and affordability of energy supply and preparing the nation for imminent energy transition.
The country has an estimated renewable energy potential of around 85,000 MW from commercially exploitable sources: Wind, 45,000 MW; small hydro, 15,000 MW and biomass/bioenergy, 25,000 MW. In addition, India has the potential to generate 35 MW per square km using solar photovoltaic and solar thermal energy.
Grid-interactive renewable power
By March 2007, renewable electricity, excluding hydro above 25 MW installed capacity, has contributed 10,243 MW representing 7.7 per cent of total electricity installed capacity. There has been phenomenal progress in wind power and, with an installed capacity of over 7,100 MW, India occupies the fourth position globally.
Decentralised and stand alone renewable electricity systems
Over 3,000 remote and inaccessible villages and hamlets have been provided with basic electricity services through distributed renewable power systems. In addition, over 75 MW biomass based gasification systems in the capacity range of 10-100 kW are in use for small scale industrial applications and electrification purposes. Finally, over 1.3 million solar home lighting systems, including lanterns and street lights have been set up in different parts of the country.
Heat energy for cooking purposes
Since the 1970s, around 3.9 million family-type biogas plants have been set up to provide clean cooking energy options in rural areas. Biogas based cooking in rural areas has made cooking a pleasure with associated social and environmental benefits including zero indoor pollution.
Process heat for domestic, industrial and commerical purposes
Use of solar thermal systems has started gaining momentum, with a solar collector area of 1.9 million sq metres already installed to meet these needs.
Liquid biofuels for transport applications
The large scale development of biofuels, including straight vegetable oil (SVO), biodiesel and bioethanol is still in its infancy. In 2004 around 0.1Mtoe ethanol was used for blending with petrol. Biodiesel use is still negligible. However, a policy framework for blending five per cent ethanol with petrol and the development of a biodiesel programme, based on non-edible oil, has been developed.
Renewable outlook
The Integrated Energy Policy Report of the Planning Commission of India has observed that the contribution of modern renewables to India's energy mix by 2031-32, excluding large hydro, would be around five-six per cent. However, our estimates indicate that by 2032, renewable power capacity, excluding large hydro could contribute up to 10 per cent of the total electricity generation in the country. About 25,000 remote villages could be provided with basic electricity services through renewable and seven per cent of the rural population would meet its cooking energy needs through biogas and other modern renewable energy systems. With focused biofuel programme, around seven to 10 per cent of oil needs could be met through biofuels. While this figure appears small, the distributed nature of renewables can provide many socioeconomic benefits. Further, its impact in abating greenhouse gas emissions would be significant. Widespread deployment of renewable systems would also create significant employment potential for unskilled and semi-skilled workers.
Regulatory framework
India has been pursuing a three-fold strategy for the promotion of renewables:
Providing budgetary support for research, development and demonstration of technologies.
Facilitating institutional finance from various financial institutions.
Promoting private investment through fiscal incentives, tax holidays, depreciation allowance and remunerative returns for power fed into the grid.
India's renewable energy programme is primarily private sector driven and offers significant investment and business opportunities. A large domestic manufacturing base has been established in the country for renewable energy systems and products. The annual turnover of the renewable energy industry, including the power generating technologies for wind and other sources, has reached a level of over US$10 billion. Companies investing in these technologies are eligible for fiscal incentives, tax holidays, depreciation allowance and remunerative returns for power fed into the grid. Further, the Government is encouraging foreign investors to set up renewable power projects on a ‘build, own and operate' basis with 100 per cent foreign direct investment.
The most important legislative development which has stimulated the recent growth in renewable power is the Electricity Act of 2003. The Act recognises the role of renewable energy technologies for supplying power to the utility grid as well as in stand alone systems. The Act also has several provisions favourable for renewable power, including rural electrification. Its most important feature, however, is its empowerment of the State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs) to promote renewable energy and to specify a percentage of the total consumption of electricity in the area of a distribution licence that will be purchased from renewable energy sources. This is considered a major boost for renewable energy promotion in India.
Renewable energy and climate change
India's first National Communication (2004) reveals that the energy sector accounts for around 61 per cent of total national emissions. For fossil fuels, coal combustion had a dominant share of emissions, amounting to around 64 per cent of all energy emissions. With regard to India's emissions trajectory, the Integrated Energy Policy Report of the Planning Commission has observed that "Since GHG emissions are directly linked to economic activity, India's economic growth will necessarily involve increases in GHG emissions from the current extremely low levels. Any constraints on the emissions of GHG by India, whether direct, by way of emissions targets, or indirect, will reduce growth rates, and impair pollution abatement efforts."
Due to its vast market potential for renewable energy projects, and a relatively well developed industrial, financing and business infrastructure, India is perceived as an excellent country for developing Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects. As such, India has emerged as one of the most favoured destinations for CDM projects globally, with renewable energy projects having the major share. National renewable energy plans offer ample opportunity for CDM projects and technological innovations, such as biogas for transport application, offer new areas for project development.
Technology concerns
The feasibility of a larger application of renewable energy, to that of the present assessments, would depend on how rapidly costs decline and efficiencies increase. As a result, research and technology development have been accorded high priority in the national renewable energy programme and mission mode research has been planned for developing solar, bioenergy and hydrogen technologies. India encourages international cooperation in renewable energy R&D, through well defined projects with proper division of labour and responsibilities for specific tasks with equitable financial burden and credit sharing arrangements. Bilateral, as well as multilateral, scientific and technological cooperation agreements could provide a framework for such R&D activities.
Technology plays a central role in addressing climate change issues. In this context there is a need to treat renewable energy technologies as a ‘global common' in the medium term. To begin with these technologies could be placed in the public domain and joint research and development projects could be taken up between the institutions of developed and developing countries. Technology transfer costs could be fixed at no-profit level and the expenditure to be incurred in these acquisitions could be made from a global funds under climate change mechanisms.
Conclusion
Indian efforts for promoting renewable energy are in harmony with global concerns. India's strategies focus on:
Working towards lowering the relative price of new and renewable power technologies through a continuous and focused research and development effort.
Improving access to reliable, affordable, economically viable, socially acceptable and environmentally sound energy services and resources.
The approach in India matches the global aim of ushering in a carbon free economy; an economy based on a fuel mix mainly provided by the green or renewable energy technologies.
For India, new and renewable energy development and deployment is of great importance from the point of view of long term energy supply security, decentralisation of energy supply particularly for the benefit of the rural population, environmental benefits and sustainability. In this context, the Indian renewable energy programme is a goal-oriented effort to meet the country's energy requirement in an environmentally sound way.
Author
Presently, Secretary to the Government of India since February 2006, Shri Subramanian was a commerce graduate of the University of Madras and a qualified banker who started his career as the Sub-Divisional Magistrate at Kalna and Barrackpore in the State of West Bengal. He moved to the Government of India in 1983 as Deputy Secretary, Department of Expenditure and was a Director in the Department of Economic Affairs during 1985-89. In 1990 he went on a Commonwealth assignment as Adviser on Loan and Grant Management to the Government of Mozambique. On his return to West Bengal, he was Power Secretary and Labour Secretary in the State Government.
Organisation
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is the nodal Ministry of the Government of India at the Federal level for all matters relating to new and renewable energy. The Ministry has been facilitating the implementation of broad spectrum programmes including harnessing renewable power, renewable energy to rural areas for lighting, cooking and motive power, use of renewable energy in urban, industrial and commercial applications and development of alternate fuels and applications. In addition, it supports research, design and development of new and renewable energy technologies, products and services.
Enquiries
Ministry of New and Renewable EnergyBlock-14, CGO ComplexLodhi Road, New Delhi-110 003India
India is a developing and fast-growing large economy and faces a great challenge to meet its energy needs in a responsible and sustainable manner. India's task is to provide energy to over 600,000 human settlements, spread over 300,000 square km of territory, with a population of over one billion which is still growing, but expected to stabilise at around 1.6 billion during the next 40 years. The total primary energy supply in India has grown at a compound rate of around 3.4 per cent since independence to reach 537.7Mtoe (million tonnes of oil equivalent) in the year 2005 (IEA 2007). While commercial primary energy grew at 5.3 per cent over the period, non-commercial energy grew at only 1.6 per cent, which is a reflection of industrialisation. As a result, the share of commercial energy grew from 28 per cent in 1950 to around 70 per cent in 2004 with an associated decline of non-commercial energy.
In 2005, India accounted for 4.7 per cent of the world's primary energy supply. Per capita energy consumption was just 27 per cent of the world average at slightly over 500kg oil equivalent.
Electric power
India accounted for 3.1 per cent of the world's electricity consumption in 2005 with an installed capacity of 135,780 MW as of September 2007. Of this, 87,200 MW is accounted for by thermal power plants, 34,200 MW by large hydro plants, 4,100 MW by nuclear, and the balance from renewable sources. The consumption of electricity in India rose from 4,157 GWh in 1950 to 38,6134 GWh in 2004/05. The per capita consumption was 612 kWh in 2004/05 as against 329 kWh in 1990 (CEA). Despite the significant growth in electricity generation, shortage of power continues to exist primarily due to the growth in power demand outstripping the growth in generation and generating capacity addition. In May 2007, the country experienced an estimated eight per cent energy shortage and 12.3 per cent shortage of peaking power. Even so, the 2001 census recorded 12 .5 per cent of urban households and 56.5 per cent of rural households as still unelectrified.
Modern energy provision
One of India's major challenges is to provide a large proportion of the country's population with access to modern energy sources. Around 86 per cent of rural households and more than 20 per cent of urban households still rely primarily on traditional fuels, such as firewood, wood chips or dung cakes, to meet their cooking needs. The use of traditional fuels can cause health problems arising from indoor air pollution. Only five per cent and 2.7 per cent of rural households use LPG and kerosene respectively as a primary cooking fuel whereas 44 per cent and 22 per cent of urban households uses LPG and kerosene respectively. With low standards of living, ie below the per-person-a-day International Poverty Line of US$2, at Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) rates of about 75 per cent population, the task of providing modern energy services becomes severely compounded. This has resulted in low levels of per capita energy and electricity consumption on account of low levels of purchasing power.
Projections made by the Integrated Energy Policy Committee of the Planning Commission have estimated that in order to meet the projected GDP growth of eight per cent per annum by 2031-2032, the demand for primary energy will increase to 1,836Mtoe representing almost a four fold increase since 2003-04. Commercial energy requirements would also be around 1,651Mtoe, which is an approximate five fold increase since the year 2003-04.
Renewable energy
India intends to provide a reliable energy supply through a diverse and sustainable fuel mix that addresses major national drivers. These include security concerns, commercial exploitation of renewable power potential, eradication of energy poverty, ensuring availability and affordability of energy supply and preparing the nation for imminent energy transition.
The country has an estimated renewable energy potential of around 85,000 MW from commercially exploitable sources: Wind, 45,000 MW; small hydro, 15,000 MW and biomass/bioenergy, 25,000 MW. In addition, India has the potential to generate 35 MW per square km using solar photovoltaic and solar thermal energy.
Grid-interactive renewable power
By March 2007, renewable electricity, excluding hydro above 25 MW installed capacity, has contributed 10,243 MW representing 7.7 per cent of total electricity installed capacity. There has been phenomenal progress in wind power and, with an installed capacity of over 7,100 MW, India occupies the fourth position globally.
Decentralised and stand alone renewable electricity systems
Over 3,000 remote and inaccessible villages and hamlets have been provided with basic electricity services through distributed renewable power systems. In addition, over 75 MW biomass based gasification systems in the capacity range of 10-100 kW are in use for small scale industrial applications and electrification purposes. Finally, over 1.3 million solar home lighting systems, including lanterns and street lights have been set up in different parts of the country.
Heat energy for cooking purposes
Since the 1970s, around 3.9 million family-type biogas plants have been set up to provide clean cooking energy options in rural areas. Biogas based cooking in rural areas has made cooking a pleasure with associated social and environmental benefits including zero indoor pollution.
Process heat for domestic, industrial and commerical purposes
Use of solar thermal systems has started gaining momentum, with a solar collector area of 1.9 million sq metres already installed to meet these needs.
Liquid biofuels for transport applications
The large scale development of biofuels, including straight vegetable oil (SVO), biodiesel and bioethanol is still in its infancy. In 2004 around 0.1Mtoe ethanol was used for blending with petrol. Biodiesel use is still negligible. However, a policy framework for blending five per cent ethanol with petrol and the development of a biodiesel programme, based on non-edible oil, has been developed.
Renewable outlook
The Integrated Energy Policy Report of the Planning Commission of India has observed that the contribution of modern renewables to India's energy mix by 2031-32, excluding large hydro, would be around five-six per cent. However, our estimates indicate that by 2032, renewable power capacity, excluding large hydro could contribute up to 10 per cent of the total electricity generation in the country. About 25,000 remote villages could be provided with basic electricity services through renewable and seven per cent of the rural population would meet its cooking energy needs through biogas and other modern renewable energy systems. With focused biofuel programme, around seven to 10 per cent of oil needs could be met through biofuels. While this figure appears small, the distributed nature of renewables can provide many socioeconomic benefits. Further, its impact in abating greenhouse gas emissions would be significant. Widespread deployment of renewable systems would also create significant employment potential for unskilled and semi-skilled workers.
Regulatory framework
India has been pursuing a three-fold strategy for the promotion of renewables:
Providing budgetary support for research, development and demonstration of technologies.
Facilitating institutional finance from various financial institutions.
Promoting private investment through fiscal incentives, tax holidays, depreciation allowance and remunerative returns for power fed into the grid.
India's renewable energy programme is primarily private sector driven and offers significant investment and business opportunities. A large domestic manufacturing base has been established in the country for renewable energy systems and products. The annual turnover of the renewable energy industry, including the power generating technologies for wind and other sources, has reached a level of over US$10 billion. Companies investing in these technologies are eligible for fiscal incentives, tax holidays, depreciation allowance and remunerative returns for power fed into the grid. Further, the Government is encouraging foreign investors to set up renewable power projects on a ‘build, own and operate' basis with 100 per cent foreign direct investment.
The most important legislative development which has stimulated the recent growth in renewable power is the Electricity Act of 2003. The Act recognises the role of renewable energy technologies for supplying power to the utility grid as well as in stand alone systems. The Act also has several provisions favourable for renewable power, including rural electrification. Its most important feature, however, is its empowerment of the State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs) to promote renewable energy and to specify a percentage of the total consumption of electricity in the area of a distribution licence that will be purchased from renewable energy sources. This is considered a major boost for renewable energy promotion in India.
Renewable energy and climate change
India's first National Communication (2004) reveals that the energy sector accounts for around 61 per cent of total national emissions. For fossil fuels, coal combustion had a dominant share of emissions, amounting to around 64 per cent of all energy emissions. With regard to India's emissions trajectory, the Integrated Energy Policy Report of the Planning Commission has observed that "Since GHG emissions are directly linked to economic activity, India's economic growth will necessarily involve increases in GHG emissions from the current extremely low levels. Any constraints on the emissions of GHG by India, whether direct, by way of emissions targets, or indirect, will reduce growth rates, and impair pollution abatement efforts."
Due to its vast market potential for renewable energy projects, and a relatively well developed industrial, financing and business infrastructure, India is perceived as an excellent country for developing Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects. As such, India has emerged as one of the most favoured destinations for CDM projects globally, with renewable energy projects having the major share. National renewable energy plans offer ample opportunity for CDM projects and technological innovations, such as biogas for transport application, offer new areas for project development.
Technology concerns
The feasibility of a larger application of renewable energy, to that of the present assessments, would depend on how rapidly costs decline and efficiencies increase. As a result, research and technology development have been accorded high priority in the national renewable energy programme and mission mode research has been planned for developing solar, bioenergy and hydrogen technologies. India encourages international cooperation in renewable energy R&D, through well defined projects with proper division of labour and responsibilities for specific tasks with equitable financial burden and credit sharing arrangements. Bilateral, as well as multilateral, scientific and technological cooperation agreements could provide a framework for such R&D activities.
Technology plays a central role in addressing climate change issues. In this context there is a need to treat renewable energy technologies as a ‘global common' in the medium term. To begin with these technologies could be placed in the public domain and joint research and development projects could be taken up between the institutions of developed and developing countries. Technology transfer costs could be fixed at no-profit level and the expenditure to be incurred in these acquisitions could be made from a global funds under climate change mechanisms.
Conclusion
Indian efforts for promoting renewable energy are in harmony with global concerns. India's strategies focus on:
Working towards lowering the relative price of new and renewable power technologies through a continuous and focused research and development effort.
Improving access to reliable, affordable, economically viable, socially acceptable and environmentally sound energy services and resources.
The approach in India matches the global aim of ushering in a carbon free economy; an economy based on a fuel mix mainly provided by the green or renewable energy technologies.
For India, new and renewable energy development and deployment is of great importance from the point of view of long term energy supply security, decentralisation of energy supply particularly for the benefit of the rural population, environmental benefits and sustainability. In this context, the Indian renewable energy programme is a goal-oriented effort to meet the country's energy requirement in an environmentally sound way.
Author
Presently, Secretary to the Government of India since February 2006, Shri Subramanian was a commerce graduate of the University of Madras and a qualified banker who started his career as the Sub-Divisional Magistrate at Kalna and Barrackpore in the State of West Bengal. He moved to the Government of India in 1983 as Deputy Secretary, Department of Expenditure and was a Director in the Department of Economic Affairs during 1985-89. In 1990 he went on a Commonwealth assignment as Adviser on Loan and Grant Management to the Government of Mozambique. On his return to West Bengal, he was Power Secretary and Labour Secretary in the State Government.
Organisation
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is the nodal Ministry of the Government of India at the Federal level for all matters relating to new and renewable energy. The Ministry has been facilitating the implementation of broad spectrum programmes including harnessing renewable power, renewable energy to rural areas for lighting, cooking and motive power, use of renewable energy in urban, industrial and commercial applications and development of alternate fuels and applications. In addition, it supports research, design and development of new and renewable energy technologies, products and services.
Enquiries
Ministry of New and Renewable EnergyBlock-14, CGO ComplexLodhi Road, New Delhi-110 003India
HOPE IN JATROPHA
Editor's Note: Critics of biofuel point out the energy and water necessary to produce the feedstock often can exceed the energy value of the fuel produced. But these studies usually ignore the value of the plant mass as animal feed or fertilizer, once the fuel has been extracted. Another valid concern is the tradeoff between using land to grow food and using land to grow fuel. But what if a plant used to extract biofuel grew on marginal land, that was unable to support crops? What if this plant required minimal water and fertilizer inputs?
Jatropha, also known as the Physic Nut, is a plant which may hold such promise. Able to tolerate arid climates, rapidly growing, useful for a variety of products, Jatropha can yield up to two tons of biodiesel fuel per year per hectare. Put another way, Jatropha can yield about 1,000 barrels of oil per year per square mile. In such quantities, Jatropha, like biofuels in general, cannot become a replacement for oil. But Jatropha requires minimal inputs, stablizes or even reverses desertification, and has use for a variety of products after the biofuel is extracted. Moreover, diesel fuel with biodiesel additives causes far less pollution.
Biofuel is not the ultimate solution to the energy challenges facing India or the world. But it is part of the solution, especially when it not only stretches finite supplies of conventional fuel, but restores the land it grows on, does not displace more viable agricultural land, and requires minimal water inputs.
As energy demand increases,
the global supply of fossil fuels decreases, causing inflation, instability and war; the emissions from fossil fuels cause immediate harm to human health and contribute to the greenhouse effect, and, deforestation and the destruction of agricultural lands threaten to turn this Earth into a desert, bit by bit. There is no doubt that the end of the fossil fuel age is not far off.
Then what? How can we combat desertification, reduce the need for oil, and help heal the present wounds in the environment, all in one stroke?
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul KalamPresident of India
A visionary scientist among politicians, A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, the president of India, sees an answer in biofuel. In a recent Presidential address he recognized biofuel, and specifically the plant jatropha, as worthy of mention. Discussing the national problems of water scarcity and drought, he stated that "India needs to grow jatropha to tackle dry land and generate bio-diesel."
India is particularly well-suited for the honor of heralding in a green alternative fuel because of its:
(1) Estimated 50 to 130 million hectares of wastelands-- saline lands (from mining), degraded forests, and other land unavailable for agricultural use due to overfarming;
(2) Resulting shifting sand dunes and continuing process of desertification;
(3) Fastest growing population rate in the world -- increasing the need for food, energy, and employment;
(4) Rural/agricultural population of over 70%: biofuel screw presses are simple to make, and can be produced and maintained by a village blacksmith
(5) Huge national crude oil bill-- second only to defense spending;
(6) Constant battle with drought and shortages of water and electricity;
(7) Warm climate, agreeable both to growing biofuels and running engines that use them.
Indian Council of ForestryResearch & Education
R. P. S. Katwal, Director General of the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, said that the Union government had drawn up a blueprint to plant Jatropha trees on 50,000 hectares at a cost of Rs 1,430,000. "Biofuels are gaining importance in the light of increasing energy demand, especially fossil fuels which are non-renewable. Biofuels are renewable, biodegradable, non-hazardous and safer for air, water and soil and its use reduces the emission of greenhouse gases."
Other projects are funded from abroad, like the proposed $2.5 million pilot project in Hyderabad, Rajasthan, which will produce 10 tons of biodiesel per day. Raw oils from Pongamia, Jatropha, and other trees will be sourced from local farmers who are expected to be the major beneficiaries. The German Development Corporation (GTZ) is currently working with the promoters, Southern Biofuels Pvt. Ltd., to prepare a detailed project proposal for possible funding by German companies and the German government.
German Development Corporation
Daimler Chrysler and Hohenheim University (also German) are conducting a research project in two different climatic zones of India. Each plantation will consist of 20 hectares of jatropha trees planted on wastelands-- one caused by industrialization and the other by natural soil erosion. Other aspects include test vehicles and research laboratories. After the five-year research period, it is hoped that the plantations will become self-sustaining, profitable enterprises.
The current rate of Indian development of biofuels, particularly biodiesel, is just a drop in the bucket when compared to its potential. If 10 million hectares (100,000 square kilometers or 38,000 square miles) of India's vast and sometimes destructive wastelands were used for biodiesel production, with a modest estimate of 1.5 tons of seeds per hectare, 4 million tons of biodiesel would be produced-- one tenth of the country's annual oil requirement. If one person was employed per hectare, that would mean 10 million new jobs. And, for use or sale, 11 million tons of organic seedcake fertilizer or livestock feed and 0.4 million tons of technical grade glycerol would be produced.
Ethanol is the most widely used biofuel in the world; technological advances have lowered the cost of its production and processing. Brazil boasts one of the largest green fuel programs in existence: petrol-only engines have been banned and replaced by engines that use pure ethanol or a 78-22 petrol-ethanol blend. The shift has greatly benefit Brazil environmentally and economically, creating employment and reducing the need for foreign oil. Its hot, wet climate is well-suited to the production of sugarcane (from which ethanol is made), and farmers especially have profited.
India is also one of the biggest worldwide producers of sugarcane, but its constant struggle with water shortages in many areas makes growing this crop problematic. However, due to overproduction, sugar prices crashed, and there are actually stockpiles of sugar and spoilt food grain which have no use. These can be used to make ethanol.
Since January 2003, a minimum 5% ethanol blend in petrol has been mandatory in India in nine states and four Union territories. By 2005, the ethanol content should reach 10%. Undoubtedly, ethanol is an important biofuel for petrol engines, but its potential is limited in India due to the high amounts of water required for its production.
Jatropha trees grow on land too poor and arid to support food crops
Jatropha curcas, also known as physic nut, is unique among biofuels. Although oil can be extracted from over 80 known plant species, jatropha is currently the first choice for biodiesel. Per hectare, yields vary from 0.5 to 12 tons/year depending on soil and rainfall conditions (Makkar and Becker, 1999). An average of about 5 tons of seeds per hectare can be produced under optimum conditions. The oil content of the seed is 55-60%, which can be converted into biodiesel by transesterification. An annual yield of 0.75 to 2 tons of biodiesel could be expected per hectare from the fifth year onwards (Fiodl and Eder, 1997).
What makes Jatropha especially attractive to India is that it is a drought-resistant and can grow in saline, marginal and even otherwise infertile soil, requiring little water and maintenance. It is hearty and easy to propagate-- a cutting taken from a plant and simply pushed into the ground will take root. It grows 5 to 10 feet high, and is capable of stabilizing sand dunes, acting as a windbreak and combating desertification. It has been most successful in the drier regions of the tropics with annual rainfall of 300-1000 mm. It grows naturally at lower altitudes (0-500 m) in areas with average annual temperatures well above 200C, but can grow at higher altitudes and tolerate slight frost.
Jatropha naturally repels both animals and insects-- it can be planted along the circumference of farms to protect other crops. Jatropha seedcakes, produced as a by-product of pressing the oil, make an excellent organic fertilizer or protein-rich livestock feed, and another by-product is glycerine. The plant lives, producing seeds, for over 50 years.
Jatropha cuttings quickly take root
Other parts of the plant are also useful: dark blue dye and wax can be produced from the bark, the stem can be used as a poor quality wood, and the roots help in making yellow dye. The flowers of Jatropha curcas and the Jatropha stem have well-known medicinal properties, and the leaves can be used for dressing wounds. All these things can be used, or sold.
Alternate uses of the oil include varnishes, illuminants, soap, organic insecticide, and medicine for skin diseases, cancer, piles, snakebite, paralysis, dropsy and more.
The Indian Supreme Court has recently banned the use of undiluted petrodiesel for commercial vehicles in Delhi due to its adverse effects on health, and other cities are reported to have followed suit.
As compared to petrodiesel, biodiesel almost completely eliminates lifecycle carbon dioxide emissions. It reduces emission of particulate matter by 40-65%, unburned hydrocarbons by 68%, carbon monoxide by 44-50%, sulphates by 100%, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by 80%, and the carcinogenic nitrated PAHs by 90% on an average. The biodiesel molecules are simple hydrocarbon chains free of the aromatic substances and sulfur associated with fossil fuels.
Although biodiesel does produce more NOx emissions than petrodiesel, these emissions can be reduced through the use of catalytic converters. In petrodiesel vehicles, catalytic converters have generally not been included because the sulfur in the fuel destroys them, but biodiesel does not contain sulfur.
According to most sources, biodiesel can be used in any diesel engine or burner without adaptation. It has a higher cetane number of biodiesel compared to petrodiesel, indicating potential for higher engine performance and causing less knocking. Tests have shown that biodiesel has similar or better fuel consumption, horsepower, and torque and haulage rates than conventional diesel; the use of biodiesel complements the working of the catalysator and can help a current EURO-1 motor attain the EURO-111 standards.
Jatropha planted around farms can repel animals, incects & wind
It is true that, because of the solvent power of biodiesel, especially older engines or machines can get clogged, but this is because the biodiesel is actually cleaning it, dissolving the residues left by petrodiesel. Rubber gaskets and hoses in vehicles made prior to 1992 may also be degraded, and need to be replaced. Engine efficiency is also increased by its superior lubricating properties, and the more complete combustion of hydrocarbons due to its higher oxygen content (up to 10%). Finally, biofuel is safer to store because of its higher flash point.
One noteworthy drawback of especially undiluted biodiesel (BD100) is its cold-clogging point of 0 degrees Celsius. This is one of the reasons it is usually mixed with conventional diesel, especially in cold countries. This is not a problem, however, in most of India, except in winter in the higher altitudes of the Himalayas.
The argument that biofuels are not energy efficient, due to the oil used to irrigate, fertilize and plow the land is irrelevant in the case of jatropha-- both irrigation and fertilization are generally unnecessary, or its own seedcakes can be used as fertilizer. The energy efficiency of the current agricultural and industrial production process is reported (in Nicaragua) to be between 1:3.75 and 1:5.
Another common objection to biomass energy production is that it could divert agricultural production away from food crops in a hungry world. Using wastelands, however, instead of farmlands, solves the "food or fuel" dilemma-- these lands are unsuitable for growing other crops. Also, if a biofuel like jatropha is grown, drought and water shortages which would ruin food crops can be survived; if grown in addition to food crops, as mentioned above, it can literally protect them from animals, insects and desertification, and its seedcakes can be used as fertilizer.
Once fuel is extracted from Jatropha, the remaining plant mass is useful as fertilizer and animal feed
The most difficult problem is, as always, cost. In remote areas, where fossil fuels are not readily available, biodiesel is already a feasible alternative, especially considering wasteland reclamation, rural employment and income generation from jatropha biodiesel and its by-products. This is important to consider in India, where electricity is always in short supply-- biodiesel can power generators, lights and farm equipment as well as cars. On the current global market, however, biodiesel generally cannot directly compete with petrodiesel, at least not yet.
The main reason for this is that biodiesel is not being produced on a large scale. The industry is a fragmented network of small companies whose costs and prices are high. Two British biodiesel companies, however, found a solution by listing their company names on the stock market in order to fund large, efficient production facilities, and passing the savings on to consumers. In other parts of the world as well, as production increases, the cost differential of biofuels is decreasing steadily.
Ironically, the first diesel engine ever made, in 1893, was powered by peanut oil-- a biofuel. By the 1920's the petroleum industry had all but eliminated the biofuel infrastructure and usurped the market with petrodiesel because it was cheaper to produce. Even then, the engine's inventor, Rudolf Diesel, maintained that "the use of vegetable oils for engine fuels may seem insignificant today, but such oils may become, in the course of time, as important as petroleum and the coal-tar products of the present time."
Now, almost a century later, the world has no choice but to listen or perish in pollution and war. As time goes by and global reserves of fossil fuels shrink, the biofuel industries have to grow up fast, and India is in a good position to step up to the opportunity. The government should give tax concessions or other financial incentives to biofuels companies and consumers to speed up the progress, and urge other nations to do the same. With biofuels, we can help heal and preserve the air, the land, our own physical health and peace.
Brook and Gaurav Bhagat are writers and independent filmmakers based in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India.
Jatropha, also known as the Physic Nut, is a plant which may hold such promise. Able to tolerate arid climates, rapidly growing, useful for a variety of products, Jatropha can yield up to two tons of biodiesel fuel per year per hectare. Put another way, Jatropha can yield about 1,000 barrels of oil per year per square mile. In such quantities, Jatropha, like biofuels in general, cannot become a replacement for oil. But Jatropha requires minimal inputs, stablizes or even reverses desertification, and has use for a variety of products after the biofuel is extracted. Moreover, diesel fuel with biodiesel additives causes far less pollution.
Biofuel is not the ultimate solution to the energy challenges facing India or the world. But it is part of the solution, especially when it not only stretches finite supplies of conventional fuel, but restores the land it grows on, does not displace more viable agricultural land, and requires minimal water inputs.
As energy demand increases,
the global supply of fossil fuels decreases, causing inflation, instability and war; the emissions from fossil fuels cause immediate harm to human health and contribute to the greenhouse effect, and, deforestation and the destruction of agricultural lands threaten to turn this Earth into a desert, bit by bit. There is no doubt that the end of the fossil fuel age is not far off.
Then what? How can we combat desertification, reduce the need for oil, and help heal the present wounds in the environment, all in one stroke?
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul KalamPresident of India
A visionary scientist among politicians, A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, the president of India, sees an answer in biofuel. In a recent Presidential address he recognized biofuel, and specifically the plant jatropha, as worthy of mention. Discussing the national problems of water scarcity and drought, he stated that "India needs to grow jatropha to tackle dry land and generate bio-diesel."
India is particularly well-suited for the honor of heralding in a green alternative fuel because of its:
(1) Estimated 50 to 130 million hectares of wastelands-- saline lands (from mining), degraded forests, and other land unavailable for agricultural use due to overfarming;
(2) Resulting shifting sand dunes and continuing process of desertification;
(3) Fastest growing population rate in the world -- increasing the need for food, energy, and employment;
(4) Rural/agricultural population of over 70%: biofuel screw presses are simple to make, and can be produced and maintained by a village blacksmith
(5) Huge national crude oil bill-- second only to defense spending;
(6) Constant battle with drought and shortages of water and electricity;
(7) Warm climate, agreeable both to growing biofuels and running engines that use them.
Indian Council of ForestryResearch & Education
R. P. S. Katwal, Director General of the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, said that the Union government had drawn up a blueprint to plant Jatropha trees on 50,000 hectares at a cost of Rs 1,430,000. "Biofuels are gaining importance in the light of increasing energy demand, especially fossil fuels which are non-renewable. Biofuels are renewable, biodegradable, non-hazardous and safer for air, water and soil and its use reduces the emission of greenhouse gases."
Other projects are funded from abroad, like the proposed $2.5 million pilot project in Hyderabad, Rajasthan, which will produce 10 tons of biodiesel per day. Raw oils from Pongamia, Jatropha, and other trees will be sourced from local farmers who are expected to be the major beneficiaries. The German Development Corporation (GTZ) is currently working with the promoters, Southern Biofuels Pvt. Ltd., to prepare a detailed project proposal for possible funding by German companies and the German government.
German Development Corporation
Daimler Chrysler and Hohenheim University (also German) are conducting a research project in two different climatic zones of India. Each plantation will consist of 20 hectares of jatropha trees planted on wastelands-- one caused by industrialization and the other by natural soil erosion. Other aspects include test vehicles and research laboratories. After the five-year research period, it is hoped that the plantations will become self-sustaining, profitable enterprises.
The current rate of Indian development of biofuels, particularly biodiesel, is just a drop in the bucket when compared to its potential. If 10 million hectares (100,000 square kilometers or 38,000 square miles) of India's vast and sometimes destructive wastelands were used for biodiesel production, with a modest estimate of 1.5 tons of seeds per hectare, 4 million tons of biodiesel would be produced-- one tenth of the country's annual oil requirement. If one person was employed per hectare, that would mean 10 million new jobs. And, for use or sale, 11 million tons of organic seedcake fertilizer or livestock feed and 0.4 million tons of technical grade glycerol would be produced.
Ethanol is the most widely used biofuel in the world; technological advances have lowered the cost of its production and processing. Brazil boasts one of the largest green fuel programs in existence: petrol-only engines have been banned and replaced by engines that use pure ethanol or a 78-22 petrol-ethanol blend. The shift has greatly benefit Brazil environmentally and economically, creating employment and reducing the need for foreign oil. Its hot, wet climate is well-suited to the production of sugarcane (from which ethanol is made), and farmers especially have profited.
India is also one of the biggest worldwide producers of sugarcane, but its constant struggle with water shortages in many areas makes growing this crop problematic. However, due to overproduction, sugar prices crashed, and there are actually stockpiles of sugar and spoilt food grain which have no use. These can be used to make ethanol.
Since January 2003, a minimum 5% ethanol blend in petrol has been mandatory in India in nine states and four Union territories. By 2005, the ethanol content should reach 10%. Undoubtedly, ethanol is an important biofuel for petrol engines, but its potential is limited in India due to the high amounts of water required for its production.
Jatropha trees grow on land too poor and arid to support food crops
Jatropha curcas, also known as physic nut, is unique among biofuels. Although oil can be extracted from over 80 known plant species, jatropha is currently the first choice for biodiesel. Per hectare, yields vary from 0.5 to 12 tons/year depending on soil and rainfall conditions (Makkar and Becker, 1999). An average of about 5 tons of seeds per hectare can be produced under optimum conditions. The oil content of the seed is 55-60%, which can be converted into biodiesel by transesterification. An annual yield of 0.75 to 2 tons of biodiesel could be expected per hectare from the fifth year onwards (Fiodl and Eder, 1997).
What makes Jatropha especially attractive to India is that it is a drought-resistant and can grow in saline, marginal and even otherwise infertile soil, requiring little water and maintenance. It is hearty and easy to propagate-- a cutting taken from a plant and simply pushed into the ground will take root. It grows 5 to 10 feet high, and is capable of stabilizing sand dunes, acting as a windbreak and combating desertification. It has been most successful in the drier regions of the tropics with annual rainfall of 300-1000 mm. It grows naturally at lower altitudes (0-500 m) in areas with average annual temperatures well above 200C, but can grow at higher altitudes and tolerate slight frost.
Jatropha naturally repels both animals and insects-- it can be planted along the circumference of farms to protect other crops. Jatropha seedcakes, produced as a by-product of pressing the oil, make an excellent organic fertilizer or protein-rich livestock feed, and another by-product is glycerine. The plant lives, producing seeds, for over 50 years.
Jatropha cuttings quickly take root
Other parts of the plant are also useful: dark blue dye and wax can be produced from the bark, the stem can be used as a poor quality wood, and the roots help in making yellow dye. The flowers of Jatropha curcas and the Jatropha stem have well-known medicinal properties, and the leaves can be used for dressing wounds. All these things can be used, or sold.
Alternate uses of the oil include varnishes, illuminants, soap, organic insecticide, and medicine for skin diseases, cancer, piles, snakebite, paralysis, dropsy and more.
The Indian Supreme Court has recently banned the use of undiluted petrodiesel for commercial vehicles in Delhi due to its adverse effects on health, and other cities are reported to have followed suit.
As compared to petrodiesel, biodiesel almost completely eliminates lifecycle carbon dioxide emissions. It reduces emission of particulate matter by 40-65%, unburned hydrocarbons by 68%, carbon monoxide by 44-50%, sulphates by 100%, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by 80%, and the carcinogenic nitrated PAHs by 90% on an average. The biodiesel molecules are simple hydrocarbon chains free of the aromatic substances and sulfur associated with fossil fuels.
Although biodiesel does produce more NOx emissions than petrodiesel, these emissions can be reduced through the use of catalytic converters. In petrodiesel vehicles, catalytic converters have generally not been included because the sulfur in the fuel destroys them, but biodiesel does not contain sulfur.
According to most sources, biodiesel can be used in any diesel engine or burner without adaptation. It has a higher cetane number of biodiesel compared to petrodiesel, indicating potential for higher engine performance and causing less knocking. Tests have shown that biodiesel has similar or better fuel consumption, horsepower, and torque and haulage rates than conventional diesel; the use of biodiesel complements the working of the catalysator and can help a current EURO-1 motor attain the EURO-111 standards.
Jatropha planted around farms can repel animals, incects & wind
It is true that, because of the solvent power of biodiesel, especially older engines or machines can get clogged, but this is because the biodiesel is actually cleaning it, dissolving the residues left by petrodiesel. Rubber gaskets and hoses in vehicles made prior to 1992 may also be degraded, and need to be replaced. Engine efficiency is also increased by its superior lubricating properties, and the more complete combustion of hydrocarbons due to its higher oxygen content (up to 10%). Finally, biofuel is safer to store because of its higher flash point.
One noteworthy drawback of especially undiluted biodiesel (BD100) is its cold-clogging point of 0 degrees Celsius. This is one of the reasons it is usually mixed with conventional diesel, especially in cold countries. This is not a problem, however, in most of India, except in winter in the higher altitudes of the Himalayas.
The argument that biofuels are not energy efficient, due to the oil used to irrigate, fertilize and plow the land is irrelevant in the case of jatropha-- both irrigation and fertilization are generally unnecessary, or its own seedcakes can be used as fertilizer. The energy efficiency of the current agricultural and industrial production process is reported (in Nicaragua) to be between 1:3.75 and 1:5.
Another common objection to biomass energy production is that it could divert agricultural production away from food crops in a hungry world. Using wastelands, however, instead of farmlands, solves the "food or fuel" dilemma-- these lands are unsuitable for growing other crops. Also, if a biofuel like jatropha is grown, drought and water shortages which would ruin food crops can be survived; if grown in addition to food crops, as mentioned above, it can literally protect them from animals, insects and desertification, and its seedcakes can be used as fertilizer.
Once fuel is extracted from Jatropha, the remaining plant mass is useful as fertilizer and animal feed
The most difficult problem is, as always, cost. In remote areas, where fossil fuels are not readily available, biodiesel is already a feasible alternative, especially considering wasteland reclamation, rural employment and income generation from jatropha biodiesel and its by-products. This is important to consider in India, where electricity is always in short supply-- biodiesel can power generators, lights and farm equipment as well as cars. On the current global market, however, biodiesel generally cannot directly compete with petrodiesel, at least not yet.
The main reason for this is that biodiesel is not being produced on a large scale. The industry is a fragmented network of small companies whose costs and prices are high. Two British biodiesel companies, however, found a solution by listing their company names on the stock market in order to fund large, efficient production facilities, and passing the savings on to consumers. In other parts of the world as well, as production increases, the cost differential of biofuels is decreasing steadily.
Ironically, the first diesel engine ever made, in 1893, was powered by peanut oil-- a biofuel. By the 1920's the petroleum industry had all but eliminated the biofuel infrastructure and usurped the market with petrodiesel because it was cheaper to produce. Even then, the engine's inventor, Rudolf Diesel, maintained that "the use of vegetable oils for engine fuels may seem insignificant today, but such oils may become, in the course of time, as important as petroleum and the coal-tar products of the present time."
Now, almost a century later, the world has no choice but to listen or perish in pollution and war. As time goes by and global reserves of fossil fuels shrink, the biofuel industries have to grow up fast, and India is in a good position to step up to the opportunity. The government should give tax concessions or other financial incentives to biofuels companies and consumers to speed up the progress, and urge other nations to do the same. With biofuels, we can help heal and preserve the air, the land, our own physical health and peace.
Brook and Gaurav Bhagat are writers and independent filmmakers based in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India.
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