World Biofuel Day is a global event that takes place every year on the 10th of August. On this day in 2022, the Indian government announced plans to establish a second-generation (2G) ethanol plant at the Indian Oil Corporation’s refinery in Haryana to aid in reducing air pollution from the Delhi and NCR region. It will also support the generation of additional income and green fuel. The day is observed in honour of Sir Rudolf Diesel, inventor of the diesel engine, who first suggested the possibility of vegetable oil replacing fossil fuels.
About Ethanol and the New Plant
Ethanol, one of the principal biofuels, is naturally produced by the fermentation of sugars by yeasts or via petrochemical processes such as ethylene hydration. It is a domestically produced alternative fuel most commonly made from corn and can also be made from cellulosic feedstocks, like crop residues and wood. The new ethanol plant in Haryana is an example of India’s waste-to-wealth endeavours saving about 2 lakh tonnes of rice straw annually to generate around 3 crore litres of ethanol per year. The plant will not only utilize rice straw but also maize and sugarcane waste.
Employment Opportunities and Environmental Impact of the New Plant
The new project will provide ample direct and indirect employment opportunities. This includes roles in plant operation, as well as within the supply chain for the handling, storage, and cutting of rice straw. Furthermore, the project will contribute significantly to environmental sustainability. With zero liquid discharge and a reduction in burning of rice straw, the plant aims to decrease greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to about 3 lakh tonnes of carbon dioxide per annum.
Ethanol as a Fuel Alternative
Ethanol has garnered attention for its potential environmental and long-term economical advantages over fossil fuel. It can be combined with petrol in any concentration up to pure ethanol (E100). The use of anhydrous ethanol, or ethanol without water, blended with petrol, helps reduce both the consumption of petroleum fuels and air pollution.
India’s Steps Toward Biofuel Adoption
To reduce dependence on crude oil imports, cut carbon emissions, and boost farmers’ incomes, India has put forth the Ethanol Blending Programme with a goal for 20% ethanol blending in petrol by 2025. The National Policy on Biofuels–2018 provides an indicative target of the same blend percentage by 2030. Among other initiatives is the E-100 Pilot Project featuring TVS Apache two-wheelers designed to run on E80 or pure ethanol (E100), and the Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana, 2019 aimed at creating an ecosystem for commercial projects and boosting R&D in the 2G Ethanol sector.
Toward a Sustainable Biofuel Future
India stands at the precipice of becoming a global leader in sustainable biofuels policy, especially if it focuses on producing ethanol from wastes. This approach can bring about substantial climate and air quality benefits. Prioritizing food production over crops for fuel is another important step, given the current challenges of depleting groundwater resources, arable land constraints, erratic monsoons, and decreasing crop yields due to climate change. There are also alternative mechanisms to reduce emissions—increased uptake of Electric Vehicles, installation of additional renewable generation capacity for zero-emissions recharging—that warrant evaluation.
Past UPSC Civil Services Examination Question
In the previous year’s UPSC Civil Services Examination, one question pertained to India’s National Policy on Biofuels. Candidates were asked to identify which substances could be used as raw materials for the production of biofuels according to this policy. The correct answer, as per the policy, included damaged food grains, cassava, rotten potatoes, and sugar beet among others.