The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has recently made a significant stride in India’s renewable energy mission through the Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) scheme. The 100th Letter of Intent (LOI) was presented to a Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) entrepreneur, marking a milestone in the initiative of utilizing waste for energy and reducing vehicular emissions.
SATAT Scheme: A Quadruple Benefit Policy
The SATAT scheme is conceived with an all-encompassing objective towards environmental sustainability and economic growth. First, it aims at capitalizing on the over 62 million metric tonnes of waste generated annually in India. Second, it targets repairing the balance of trade by cutting down import dependence. Third, it acts as a catalyst to job creation in the country, and lastly, mitigates vehicular emissions and pollution caused by burning agricultural or organic waste.
Compressed Bio-Gas: A Green Energy Alternative
Bio-gas is a natural product resulting from the process of anaerobic decomposition of waste or bio-mass sources, which include agriculture residue, cattle dung, sugarcane press mud, municipal solid waste, sewage treatment plant waste, etc. After undergoing purification, it is compressed into what we call CBG, which contains over 90% pure methane content.
Notably, CBG shares similar composition and energy potential to commercially available natural gas, making it a viable alternative renewable automotive fuel. With the abundance of biomass in India, CBG holds the potential to replace Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in automotive, industrial, and commercial applications in the foreseeable future.
The Payoffs of Commercial CBG Production
Commercializing the conversion of agricultural residue, cattle dung, and municipal solid waste into CBG has several advantages:
| Aspect | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Environment | Responsible waste management, reduction in carbon emissions and pollution |
| Economy | Additional revenue source for farmers, boosts entrepreneurship, rural economy, and employment |
| Energy Security | Reduction in import of natural gas and crude oil, buffer against oil/gas price fluctuations |
| Climate Control | Supports national commitments in achieving climate change goals |
Shaping India’s Sustainable Future with CBG
The regionally abundant bio-mass resources and the multiple benefits of CBG, including environmental protection, economic growth, energy security, and climate control commitment achievement, signal a promising future for India’s green energy sector. Through initiatives like SATAT, the country is shaping a sustainable future, where energy production goes hand in hand with ecological responsibility.