Decarbonizing Transport: Sustainable Biofuels in India : Daily News Analysis

Date : 15/09/2023

Relevance: GS Paper3 - Environment - Sustainable Fuel

Keywords: Global Biofuels Alliance, GreenHouse Gasses, GOBARDHAN Scheme, National Policy on Biofuel 2018

Context-

In recent years, the rise of electric vehicles (EVs) has overshadowed the biofuels sector, requiring constant justification for its existence. However, as EV adoption accelerates globally, it becomes evident that no decarbonization strategy is without its trade-offs.
Transitioning to EVs demands a complete overhaul of existing internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles and infrastructure, entailing substantial capital investments. Additionally, the importation of batteries and critical minerals raises environmental concerns about their extraction. Conversely, biofuels offer the advantage of being compatible with existing ICE engines and infrastructure, requiring minimal modifications, thus promoting import independence.

The Diversity of Biofuels

The term "biofuel" encompasses both sustainable and unsustainable fuels. It is crucial to understand the distinction between these categories to effectively drive decarbonization efforts.

First Generation Biofuels:

These biofuels originate from food sources like sugar, starch, vegetable oil, or animal fats, utilizing traditional technology.
Common examples of first-generation biofuels encompass Bioalcohols, Biodiesel, Vegetable oil, Bioethers, and Biogas.
While the conversion process is straightforward, the use of food sources for biofuel production disrupts the food economy, resulting in elevated food prices and increased hunger.

Second Generation Biofuels:

These biofuels are derived from non-food crops or inedible parts of food crops, such as stems, husks, wood chips, and fruit skins and peels.
Illustrations include cellulose ethanol and biodiesel.
Production involves thermochemical reactions or biochemical conversion processes.
Unlike first-generation biofuels, second-generation biofuels have no impact on the food economy, but their manufacturing process is more intricate.
Furthermore, they are known to emit fewer greenhouse gases compared to first-generation biofuels.

Third Generation Biofuels:

Microorganisms like algae are the primary source of these biofuels, with Butanol being a notable example.
Growing microorganisms like algae is feasible in areas of land and water unsuitable for food production, thus alleviating the strain on already depleted water resources.
However, a drawback is that the use of fertilizers in cultivating such crops can lead to environmental pollution.

Fourth Generation Biofuels:

The production of these fuels involves cultivating genetically engineered crops with a high carbon absorption capacity. These crops are harvested as biomass.
Subsequently, the crops are converted into fuel through second-generation techniques.
The fuel undergoes pre-combustion, with the captured carbon then being geo-sequestered. This means the carbon is stored in depleted oil or gas fields or in unmineable coal seams.
Some of these fuels are considered carbon-negative since their production removes carbon from the environment.

Challenges in India

In India, biofuels are predominantly associated with first-generation (1G) ethanol, primarily sourced from food crops. The national policy aims to achieve a 20% ethanol blending rate with petrol (E20) by 2025-26, primarily relying on 1G ethanol from sugarcane and foodgrains.
Second-generation (2G) ethanol, produced from crop wastes and residues, faces challenges in contributing significantly to this target due to issues related to feedstock supply and scalability.
The groundwater depletion implications of growing sugar cane are well known, but the food security implications of groundwater depletion and of using foodgrains for ethanol production are harder to imagine because India is currently a surplus food producer. But there are several reasons why diverting the surplus produce towards energy or specifically growing a crop for energy may not be a sustainable strategy.

India faces several challenges related to crop production. Firstly, crop yields have plateaued, with global warming expected to further reduce agricultural productivity. This means that the same arable land will yield less food for a growing population, making it unsustainable to divert surplus crops for energy production.

Secondly, a recent study projects a significant increase in groundwater depletion rates from 2040-81 due to rising temperatures and increased crop water requirements. With limited resources of both groundwater and arable land, prioritizing food production over fuel is imperative.

The agricultural sector is a major emitter of direct greenhouse gases (GHGs). Increasing GHG emissions from agriculture to produce motor fuel, with the aim of reducing emissions from the transport sector, creates an unnecessary balancing act that may yield minimal net benefits.

Exploring Alternative Solutions

While the ethanol blending policy has addressed surplus sugar production in India, a more sustainable approach might involve reducing surplus sugarcane cultivation. Making other crops equally remunerative, as sugar cane is, is achievable through government intervention.

Sustainable Biofuels and Global Cooperation

'Sustainable' biofuels, derived from crop residues and waste, have a lower water and GHG footprint. The establishment of the Global Biofuels Alliance at the G-20 Summit in New Delhi signifies India's commitment to climate action and the development of sustainable biofuels, alongside ethanol promotion.

Prioritizing Biomass Use

The Energy Transitions Commission recommends prioritizing biomass use in sectors where low-carbon alternatives are limited, such as long-haul aviation and road freight. Sustainable biofuel production must triple by 2030, according to the International Energy Agency, to achieve global net-zero emissions by 2050. While 1G ethanol may not suffice, decentralized 2G ethanol production, particularly when utilizing local crop residues, can be considered a sustainable option.

Challenges in Biomass Supply Chains

Balancing economies of scale with the energy needs and costs of biomass collection and transportation over large distances poses a significant challenge. The Global Biofuels Alliance can play a pivotal role in driving innovation and technology development to establish efficient biomass supply chains and smaller-scale decentralized biofuel production units.

International Efforts for Sustainable Biofuels:

Producing biofuels sustainably is imperative to mitigate their environmental and economic impact. Several global initiatives are actively addressing this challenge:

Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB): The RSB is an international endeavor that unites farmers, corporations, governments, non-governmental organizations, and scientists with a shared interest in ensuring the sustainability of biofuel production and distribution.
In April 2011, the RSB introduced a comprehensive set of sustainability criteria known as the "RSB Certification System." Biofuel producers meeting these criteria can demonstrate to buyers and regulators that their products are sourced without causing harm to the environment or violating human rights.
Sustainable Biofuels Consensus: This international initiative calls upon governments, the private sector, and various stakeholders to take decisive measures to guarantee the sustainable trade, production, and utilization of biofuels.
Bonsucro: Established in 2008, Bonsucro is an international nonprofit, multi-stakeholder organization dedicated to advancing sustainable sugarcane production. Their primary objective is to reduce the environmental and social impacts of sugarcane cultivation while ensuring economic viability. Bonsucro achieves this mission by establishing sustainability standards and certifying sugarcane products, including ethanol, sugar, and molasses.

Recent Initiatives Regarding Biofuels

Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana, 2019: The scheme's primary goal is to establish a conducive environment for the establishment of commercial projects and the advancement of Research and Development within the 2G Ethanol sector.
Ethanol Blending: The 2018 Biofuel Policy aims to achieve a 20% ethanol-blending and 5% biodiesel-blending target by 2030. However, there has been a recent shift in the government's plans, which now aims to achieve a 20% ethanol blending target in petrol by 2025-26 instead. This move aligns with the "Make in India" initiative and encourages domestic biofuel production, particularly by units located in Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and Export Oriented Units (EOUs).
GOBAR (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources) DHAN scheme, 2018: This initiative focuses on the efficient management and conversion of cattle dung and farm solid waste into valuable compost, biogas, and bio-CNG. It serves the dual purpose of maintaining cleanliness in rural areas while augmenting the income of rural households. The scheme was launched as part of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin).
Repurpose Used Cooking Oil (RUCO): Launched by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), RUCO aims to establish an ecosystem for the collection and conversion of used cooking oil into biodiesel.

National Policy on Biofuels, 2018

This policy classifies biofuels into "Basic Biofuels," including First Generation (1G) bioethanol and biodiesel, and "Advanced Biofuels," encompassing Second Generation (2G) ethanol, Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) to drop-in fuels, Third Generation (3G) biofuels, and bio-CNG, among others. This classification enables the application of specific financial and fiscal incentives for each category.
The policy expands the range of raw materials for ethanol production by permitting the use of sugarcane juice, sugar-containing materials like sugar beet and sweet sorghum, starch-containing materials like corn and cassava, as well as damaged food grains such as wheat, broken rice, and spoiled potatoes, unfit for human consumption.
Moreover, the policy allows for the utilization of surplus food grains for ethanol production, subject to approval by the National Biofuel Coordination Committee.
With a strong focus on Advanced Biofuels, the policy outlines a viability gap funding scheme of Rs. 5000 crore over six years for 2G ethanol biorefineries, along with additional tax incentives and a higher purchase price compared to 1G biofuels.
The policy also encourages the establishment of supply chain mechanisms for biodiesel production from non-edible oilseeds, used cooking oil, and short gestation crops. It delineates the roles and responsibilities of relevant Ministries and Departments in the context of biofuels.

Conclusion

Achieving true sustainability in biofuels is a complex endeavor, requiring careful consideration within the broader ecosystem to avoid unintended negative consequences. A holistic approach to decarbonization, encompassing multiple strategies and a keen understanding of the trade-offs involved, is essential for a sustainable and greener future for India's transportation sector.

Probable Questions for UPSC Mains Exam-

"Explain the challenges and opportunities associated with the production and adoption of sustainable biofuels in India. How do recent policy initiatives and international cooperation efforts contribute to the promotion of biofuels as an alternative to traditional fossil fuels?" (10 Marks,150 Words)
"Discuss the different generations of biofuels, their environmental implications, and their suitability for India's energy transition. How can India balance its food security concerns with the promotion of biofuels? (15 Marks,250 Words)

Source - The Hindu