Power from biomass is a renewable energy option that is often overlooked in a country like India, whose population predominantly live in the rural areas and have little/no access to reliable power. Rural areas generate a lot of bio-waste (farm produce, animal waste, etc) that could be used as the raw material for biomass power generation. Biomass power generation techniques can also be applied in urban areas by segregating everyday waste into organic and inorganic waste. The organic waste collected from all homes can be used to generate power in urban areas. Here is an example.
Energy from biomass can also be generated as a part of the industrial process. For example, through cogeneration methods, energy from biomass can be generated along with the production of sugar, in the sugar manufacturing industry. Energy can also be generated by capturing methane emanating from landfills, waste water treatment, manure lagoons, cattle/poultry farms, etc. using anaerobic digesters.
Energy from biomass is mostly generated using combustion, gasification or cogeneration methods. Materials like bagasse (sugar industry), rice husk, coffee waste, groundnut shells, jute waste, saw dust, de-oiled cakes, soya husk, cotton stalk, straw, etc. Most of the machinery required for biomass projects can be manufactured in India, or by multinational companies who have set up their facility here.
MNRE has estimated that biomass power generation attracts an investment of 600 crores every year. While the potential of biomass power generation is around 18,000 MW in India, 2665 MW capacity has already been installed in our country.
In addition to the subsidy for capital costs for biomass power/co-generation projects, MNRE provides tax holidays, accelerated depreciation (for certain equipment), concessional excise duty/customs duty, etc. State Governments have policies in place to buy the power generated by biomass power/cogeneration projects at special tariff. Have a look at this page to get details about Govt. policies/rates.
Energy generated by biomass power plants/cogeneration facilities are a renewable source of energy. The raw materials required for biomass plants are mostly waste/byproducts that are easily available, or energy crops for this purpose can be grown in non-agricultural lands. Biomass generation does not release any carbon into the atmosphere and they reduce the chances of acid rain, water pollution, etc. Biomass generation has the potential to generate considerable amount of power in our power-starved nation and this sector can generate a lot of additional jobs.
All of us should look at ways/be open to opportunities, to generate power from biomass.
All of us should look at ways/be open to opportunities, to generate power from biomass.
