The Indian government has set ambitious targets for the use of bioethanol in petrol by 2030, aimed at reducing environmental pollution and reliance on imported crude petroleum. Launched as part of the Ethanol Blended Programme (EBP) under the National Biofuels Policy in 2018, this initiative looks to increase bioethanol blending in petrol from the present 5% to 10% by 2022 and 20% by 2030.
Ethanol Blending: An Eco-friendly Move
Inducing ethanol into petrol can noticeably reduce vehicle exhaust emissions. As ethanol contains oxygen, it supports complete combustion of fuel, decreasing emissions, and contributing to environmental preservation. It is calculated that a 5% blend could replace about 1.8 million barrels of crude oil. The ethanol content, derived from the sugar industry, also holds potential for net reductions in carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbon emissions.
The Origins of EBP
The EBP initiative was kickstarted in January 2003 by the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoP&NG). Its aim was to decrease pollution, conserve foreign exchange, and enhance value addition in the sugar industry, providing them an opportunity to clear farmers’ cane price arrears. The Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) were assigned to procure ethanol from local sources at prices determined by the government. The program recently expanded to include surplus quantities of food grains, fruits and vegetable waste for fuel extraction.
CCEA’s Initiative and World Biofuel Day
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved the Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN (Jaiv Indhan- Vatavaran Anukool fasal awashesh Nivaran) Yojana to encourage commercial projects and research development efforts in the 2G Ethanol sector. Public OMCs like Indian Oil Corporation Ltd., Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd., and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. are presently setting up 2G bioethanol plants. On the 10th of August, 2020, India rejoiced World Biofuel Day with the theme “Biofuels towards Atmanirbhar Bharat”.
Challenges to Ethanol Blending
Despite the initiative, significant obstacles exist. Domestic bioethanol production is insufficient to meet the demand for blending with petrol. In addition, the financial instability of sugar mills, who are primary suppliers of bio-ethanol to OMCs, impedes investment in biofuel plants. Questions loom over future bioethanol prices, which are set by the central government, further discouraging investors.
The Water Footprint Hurdle
The production of ethanol requires substantial water resources, which presents another challenge. The water footprint for producing a litre of ethanol is substantial, as it includes rainwater at the root zone used by ethanol-producing plants and fresh water required to wash away pollutants. Currently, these water requirements are not fully met by rainwater, leading to the exploitation of groundwater reserves used for drinking and other purposes.
Limitations in Sugarcane Availability
Sugarcane, a key resource for ethanol production, is in limited supply. To achieve a 20% blend rate, nearly one-tenth of the existing net sown area would have to be used for sugarcane production. This could potentially increase food prices and place stress on other crops.
Lack of Viable Alternatives and Handling Issues
While crop residue can be used as an alternative for ethanol production, it still fails to meet the blending requirement. Other biofuels, such as Jatropha, are often financially unfeasible. Moreover, because ethanol is a highly flammable liquid, careful handling is required during production, storage, and transportation, adding to the cost and risk.
Way Forward
There are promising solutions to these challenges. 2G bioethanol not only serves as a clean source of energy but also aids in providing greater income for farmers. The government could increase transparency around the price of bioethanol and set targets for ethanol generation from 2G plants. Furthermore, encouraging the use of 3rd and 4th generation biofuels derived from algae and specially engineered plants could be another viable approach.
