Biofuels in India’s Energy Security | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Introduction

Biofuels have the potential to significantly impact several key areas, including a remarkable reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional fossil fuels. They also contribute to reducing import dependency, promoting energy security, and fostering circularity by transforming waste into valuable resources, thus delivering broader socioeconomic benefits. Beyond their energy applications, biofuels offer downstream possibilities in the form of bio-based chemicals and polymers, particularly crucial for decarbonizing long-haul transport sectors such as aviation and maritime. Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blends are already technically compatible with existing fuel delivery and airport infrastructure.

Biofuels

• Biofuels are any hydrocarbon fuels derived from organic matter (living or once-living material) in a short timeframe (days, weeks, or months), and they can be solid, liquid, or gaseous.
• Brazil, India, and the United States, as leading biofuel producers and consumers, are collaborating to form a Global Biofuels Alliance, which will aim to facilitate cooperation and enhance the use of sustainable biofuels, especially in the transportation sector.
• The Alliance will focus on strengthening markets, promoting global biofuels trade, sharing concrete policy lessons, and providing technical support for national biofuels programs worldwide.
• It will also highlight successful practices that have already been implemented.

Biofuels: Significance & Reducing Dependence on Petroleum

• Availability: Biofuels are renewable as they are produced from biomass.
• Source Material: Unlike oil, which is a finite resource derived from specific materials, biofuels can be made from various materials, including crop waste, manure, and other byproducts.
• Environmental Impact: Biofuels emit fewer carbon emissions than fossil fuels, though the fertilizers used in growing biofuel crops can contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Biofuels can also help manage municipal solid waste by converting it into fuel.
• Energy Security: Biofuels can be produced locally, reducing reliance on foreign energy sources and safeguarding a nation's energy resources from external influences.
• Economic Benefits: Local biofuel production facilities can create hundreds or thousands of jobs, particularly in rural areas, thereby stimulating the economy.
  • The rising cost of oil, the emission of greenhouse gases from fossil fuels, and the desire to produce fuel from agricultural crops for the benefit of farmers are among the primary reasons for transitioning to biofuels.

Recent Initiatives to Promote Biofuels in India

Initiatives by the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology:

• The department has developed 2G Ethanol and transferred the technology to Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs).
• It has also developed an Indigenous Cellulolytic Enzyme for biofuel production and demonstrated microalgae-based sewage treatment technology.
• The department has enhanced international collaboration to accelerate innovation in Sustainable Biofuel through initiatives like Mission Innovation and Biofuture Platform.
• It is also supporting and motivating young researchers in the field of Bioenergy through Fellowships/Awards.
• Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana, 2019: This scheme aims to create an ecosystem for commercial projects and boost Research and Development in the 2G Ethanol sector.
• Ethanol Blending: The 2018 Biofuel Policy aims to achieve 20% ethanol-blending and 5% biodiesel-blending by 2030.
  • The government now plans to advance its ethanol blending target of 20% of petrol containing ethanol to 2025-26, promoting biofuel production in the country under the Make in India program by units located in Special Economic Zones (SEZs)/Export Oriented Units (EoUs).
• GOBAR (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources) DHAN Scheme, 2018: This scheme focuses on managing and converting cattle dung and farm solid waste into useful compost, biogas, and bio-CNG, improving rural cleanliness and increasing rural household income.
• Repurpose Used Cooking Oil (RUCO): Launched by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), this initiative aims to create an ecosystem for the collection and conversion of used cooking oil to biodiesel.

Conclusion and Way Forward

• Promoting biofuel use in transportation, particularly in countries like India, can help reduce the crude import bill.
• Alternative feedstocks like agricultural waste and recycled cooking oil can lead to more environmentally friendly biofuels.
• There is a need to focus on increasing the non-cane contribution to the ethanol mix.
• This can be achieved by incentivizing both public and private players to establish second-generation ethanol facilities.