The Hindu Editorial Analysis- 26th October 2022 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

A Renewable Energy Revolution, Rooted in Agriculture 

Context

Union Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Housing & Urban Affairs inaugurated Asia’s largest Compressed Bio Gas (CBG) plant in Lehragaga, Sangrur, Punjab.

• The Compressed Bio Gas (CBG) plant inaugurated in Sangrur is a step in achieving objectives of the Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) scheme.
• This scheme was launched by Government of India in October 2018 to establish an ecosystem for production of Compressed Bio Gas (CBG) from various waste/ biomass sources in the country.
• The scheme aims to empower and unleash the rural economy by supporting farmers, increase India’s domestic energy production and self-sufficiency and also reduce the air pollution, and help India lead the world toward a clean energy transition.

What is Compressed Bio Gas (CBG)?

• Compressed Bio Gas (CBG) means the mixture of hydrocarbon gases and vapours consisting mainly of Methane in gaseous form, which has been produced by the decomposition of animal and plant waste, purified and compressed for use as an automotive fuel and industrial application.
• Biogas can be compressed after removal of carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulphide, the same way as natural gas is compressed to CNG, and used to power motor vehicles.
• Irrespective of technology, producing CBG from biomass involves a two-pronged approach:
• Biogas is produced through anaerobic decomposition of biomass.
• Since biogas contains 55 to 60 per cent methane, 40 to 45 per cent carbon dioxide (CO2) and trace amounts of hydrogen sulphide.
• The second process involves purifying the gas to remove carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulphide gases to prepare CBG.
• Chemically, CBG is the same as CNG — both are compressed methane — and has the same calorific value.
• The difference is that while CNG is a by-product of petroleum, CBG can be produced from any biomass.
• This makes CBG a commercially viable option as it can be directly used to replace CNG in transportation fuel.
• Just like CNG, CBG too can be transported through cylinders or pipelines to retail outlets.
• Its solid by-products can be used as bio-manure.
• It is a rich source of silica that not only aids in the growth and yield of crops but also bestows immunity against many diseases and prevents toxic material uptake by plants such as arsenic, cadmium, lead and other heavy metals.
• It can thus help reduce the requirement of chemical fertilisers.
• The other by-product is CO2.
• It can be tapped while purifying the biogas and used to produce liquid or solid CO2, which have high demand for food preservation or to be used in fire extinguishers.
• CBG and its by-products hold the chance for a circular economic growth.

What is the Significance of Biogas Adoption?

• Pollution Free Cities:
  • The biogas solution can help make our cities clean and pollution-free.
  • Leaching of toxic substances from landfills contaminates the groundwater.
  • Decomposing organic matter releases huge amounts of methane into the environment, causing air pollution and global warming as methane is a very potent GHG.
• Handling Organic Waste:
  • Installing large-scale municipal biogas systems can help cities handle organic waste efficiently to overcome the environmental and socio-economic challenges posed by overburdened landfills.
  • Municipal waste can be fed into these plants to create clean and green fuel, along with biofertilizers, while keeping the cities clean and hygienic.
• Helpful for Women:
  • Switching to biogas could be good for women because they won't be exposed to harmful smoke and pollution.
  • Over four million people die every year all over the world due to high levels of indoor air pollution caused by the burning of fossil fuels and biomass.
  • The female members of a household are affected by indoor pollution as they spend more time inside the house.
• Will Transform Energy Dependence:
  • Biogas can play a critical role in transforming the energy dependence of rural and agricultural communities, which majorly depends on burning wood, dung, charcoal, coal and other fossil fuels for their energy needs.
  • Only 26.53% of the total power generated in India is from renewable sources.
  • The high dependence on non-renewable sources is the leading cause of the long-standing energy problems in the country.
• Addresses Handling of Livestock Manure:
  • Installing biogas plants at the micro- and macro-level can address the critical issues of handling livestock manure and agricultural wastes, deteriorating soil quality, water pollution and deforestation.
• Reduces Carbon Dioxide Emissions:
  • A fully functional biogas digester, for every tonne of feedstock processed, can reduce approximately 2.83 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions in a year.
  • Using biogas digesters to convert organic waste into clean energy can significantly contribute to countering challenges like pollution, climate change, livelihood inequalities and health in individual households as well as entire communities.
• Will Improve Soil Quality:
  • The digestate, a by-product generated in the biogas plants, can be used as a biofertilizer as it is rich in organic content and revitalises the soil.
  • The digestate is rich in micro- and macro-nutrients required by the plants and can replace the synthetic fertilisers that deteriorate the soil quality over time.
• Reduce Gender Inequalities:
  • Biogas can also help in reducing gender inequalities and empowering women, which, in turn, will improve the quality of lives.
  • As rural households gain access to biogas as cooking fuel, women and girls do not need to spend time collecting firewood and other fuel and can utilise this spare time for education, acquiring new skills, and community work.
  • Acquiring new skills will eventually enable them to have access to new employment and business opportunities that help them to be financially independent and have more decision-making power in the household.
• Can be Helpful in Achieving SDG Goal:
  • Biogas can significantly contribute to achieving several UN-mandated Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) such as zero hunger, good health and wellbeing, gender equality, clean water and sanitation, sustainable, affordable and clean energy, decent work and economic growth, reduced inequalities, sustainable cities and communities, and climate action.

Government Initiative to promote CBG:

• Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya's debut The Jan Urvarak Pariyojana-One Nation One Fertilizer programme provides farmers with affordable, high-quality fertiliser with the "Bharat" brand.
• SATAT (Sustainable Alternative to Affordable Transportation) plan
  • The SATAT programme, introduced by the government in 2018, intends to:
  • Reach the goal of 15 million metric tonnes (MMT) of CBG production from 5000 CBG plants by 2023–2024.
  • Supporting farmers will empower and liberate the rural economy.
  • Develop initiatives that will help entrepreneurs and vehicle users.
  • Reduce India's reliance on imported crude oil to increase domestic energy output and self-sufficiency.
  • effective control of carbon emissions and farm stubble burning that contribute to urban air pollution
  • Fermented Organic Manure (FOM), produced by CBG plants, is used to promote organic farming.
  • Support India as it leads the world's shift to renewable energy.
• National Biofuels Policy for 2018:
  • In the upcoming years, the Policy seeks to enhance the use of biofuels in the nation's transportation and energy sectors. The following advantages are also intended to be gained.
  • reduction in crude and LNG imports, resulting in significant currency savings
  • Utilizing, promoting, and developing domestic feedstock for use in the manufacturing of biofuels
  • replace fossil fuels more frequently while advancing national energy security
  • Pollution reduction and climate change mitigation
  • sustainable creation of new employment opportunities
  • encouragement for the use of cutting-edge technologies in the production of biofuels

Way Forward

• According to the Union Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas, CBG plants represent a significant advancement in achieving a win-win outcome for farmers and the environment.
• India's transition towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) like these will be aided by the SATAT programme and CBG plants.
• SDG 7-Affordable and clean energy
• SDG 11-Sustainable cities and communities
• SDG 12-Responsible consumption and production]
• SDG 13-Climate Action