GS 3 -Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment

Key Phrases: Panchamrit, Carbon intensity, Net Zero Emission, Gobar-dhan schemes, biomass pellet, biomass co-firing,Central Pollution Control Board,Energy Conservation Act

Why in the News?

• Recently, many environmentalists and energy experts argued for proper utilization of biomass as a green energy. They said efficient collection and usage of biomass is essential for fulfillment of Panchamrit as a Pledge by India in COP26.
• Experts assert green energy is not only about solar and wind, but about biomass too. Biomass today is an important fuel in many countries, especially for cooking and heating, and over the years its use as fuel for transportation and electricity generation has been increasing.

What are Indian PANCHAMRITS, to deal with the climate change challenge?

1. India will reach its non-fossil energy capacity to 500 GW by 2030
2. India will meet 50 per cent of its energy requirements from renewable energy by 2030.
3. India will reduce the total projected carbon emissions by one billion tons from now onwards till 2030.
4. By 2030, India will reduce the carbon intensity of its economy by less than 45 per cent.
5. By the year 2070, India will achieve the target of Net Zero Emission. These Panchamrits will be an unprecedented contribution of India towards climate action.

What is Biomass?

1. Biomass is organic matter derived from any biological organisms- living or dead.
2. Biomass can either be used directly via combustion to produce heat or indirectly after converting it to various forms of biofuel.
3. About 32% of the total primary energy use in India is derived from biomass and more than 70% of the country’s population depends on it for their energy needs
4. Biomass is the prime building block of biofuels, highly used for electricity production to produce heat in the context of energy, as an alternative to fossil fuels
5. The chemical composition of Biomass – Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen along with nitrogen and alkali atoms.

Difference between Biomass and Other Fossil Fuels:

1. The time difference for energy generation is the biggest difference. Biomass generally takes more time compared to fossil fuels.
2. Biomass takes carbon out of the atmosphere while it is developing, and returns as it is burned, so they are carbon neutral, while fossils release new carbon in the atmosphere.
3. Biomass can be converted into ethanol by a thermal process and into methanol by fermentation and digestion.
4. Fossil Fuels have a high energy density and high calorific value compared to biomass.

What are the steps taken by the government for Biomass Utilization

1. In the earlier policy, the government had advised coal based thermal power plants to endeavour to use 5-10 per cent blend of biomass pellets made, primarily, of agro residue along with coal after assessing the technical feasibility and safety aspect
2. In the latest effort, the government is planning for a mandatory push for biomass co-firing in the thermal power plants as a means to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel.
3. Government through various incentives inviting private participation in biomass pellet co-firing manufacturing units.
4. The Power Ministry has already set-up the National Mission on use of Biomass in coal based thermal power plants, to address the issue of air pollution due to farm stubble burning and to reduce carbon footprints of thermal power generation.
5. Through various other initiatives like Gobar-dhan schemes, Waste To Wealth, Swachh Bharat Mission, NAPCC etc, government planning to make biomass an integral part of the green energy revolution.

Positive achievements of Government efforts:

1. According to the government sources, around 1,400 tons of biomass has been fired in October and 53,000 tonne of biomass was utilised as green fuel in power plants so far.
2. The Power Ministry’s National Mission for Biomass Utilization has also yielding positive results to curtail air pollution in North West India as well as prevent loss of fertility of agricultural land and provide a sustainable income source for farmers, suppliers and biomass fuel manufacturers.

New Updates on Biomass Utilization:

• Government has Revised Policy for Biomass Utilization for Power Generation through Co-firing in Coal based Power Plants.
  Salient points are:

1. Mandating all thermal power plants to use 5 percent blend of biomass pellets made, primarily, of agro residue along with coal with effect from one year of the date of issue of this guideline. This will increase to 7 per cent (except for those having Ball & Tube mill use).
2. Minimum contract period for procurement of biomass pellets by generating utilities shall be for seven years so as to avoid delay in awarding contracts by generating companies every year and also to build up a long-term supply chain.
3. Many provisions related to tariff determination and incentive for companies to adopt biomass based green energy production. .

Challenges in Biomass based energy utilization

1. Need to establish a proper supply chain and ensure adequacy of stock to achieve the 5 per cent requirement, which increases to seven per cent from the second year.
2. Despite these efforts concerns remain as electricity is de-licensed and the government without backing of any Act may not have the necessary wherewithal to enforce mandatory use of biomass.
3. According to industry observers, only the Central Pollution Control Board or the Bureau of Energy Efficiency have power/supporting acts which could enable them to put a mandatory condition.

Way Forward

1. The need is the proper amendment in the Energy Conservation Act to make it mandatory for thermal power plants to used biomass co-firing.
2. The government will also need to issue a model agreement for procurement of biomass and must create a procurement portal for ease of doing business.
3. Besides this government should establish village level procurement centers as suggested but Niti Aayog.

Mains Question

Q. Recently, during COP26, the Indian government gave the Panchamrits Principles as India's efforts towards climate change mitigation. Discuss the significance of Biomass as a cleaner and greener fuel in fulfilling India's commitment in COP26. Also suggest some measures to make India a hub for Biomass based energy consumption nation.(15 marks)

Source- The Hindu BL