Biomass Energy

biomassenergy

What is biomass and what are its sources?

Biomass is organic matter derived from living or recently living organics. Biomass can be used as a source of energy and it most often refers to plants or plant based materials which are not used for food or feed and are specifically called lignocellulosic biomass.

As an energy source biomass can either be used directly via combustion to produce heat or indirectly after converting it to various forms of biofuel.

The common sources of biomass energy are food, agricultural waste and landfill gases.

The need for biomass energy tapping:

The more preferred unsustainable and non-replenishable fossil fuels make the country dependent on imports and at the same time fuel price fluctuation makes the poor vulnerable. Hence there is an immense thrust on tapping renewable energy sources such as biomass energy for cooking and electricity generation.

Unlike fossil fuels, biomass absorbs the same amount of carbon in growing as it releases when consumed as a fuel therefore it do not add CO 2 to the atmosphere.

Power Generation through biomass gasification:

Ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE) promotes setting up of biomass gasification based power generation plants by a range of stakeholders including self help groups, civil society institutions, panchayats,cooperatives and private sector. Government has also provisioned biomass gasification based decentralized power generation and distribution for civil areas.

Biomass based grid interactive power generation systems and cogeneration:

Biomass such as sugarcane bagasse, de-oiled cakes, rice husk etc is used for generation of power that can be fed into the central grid system.

Biomass Briquetting:

The government promotes the usage of biomass pellets or biomass briquettes for industrial and household purposes. Briquetting allows for efficient use of fuel for thermal processes.

Way forward/ Suggestions:

Development of biomass on-grid systems can boost employment and create ample of new job opportunities.There is a direct need for skill formation and training in the sector of biomass gasification based electricity generation through recommendation of proper curriculum by government.

Example: Setting up of Husk Power University by Bihar based Husk Power System (HPS), a captive institution
for skills building of local youth.

The traditional burning of solid biomass such as firewood, crop residue, coal and charcoal in poorly
ventilated space is a source of Indoor Air Pollution (IAP).

Another major source of IAP is the kerosene wick lamp which is used as primary source of lighting is over 25% of rival households. The soot emanating from traditional cook stoves and kerosene wick lamps is a major source of black carbon, an aerosol which is a catalyst for climate change.

National schemes for promoting usage of biomass energy:

Since over extraction of biomass can lead to adverse consequences on climate and local ecology so MOEF
And CC has been promoting social foresting in the country. Some of the key programs/ schemes are:

  • Indian Forest Act, 1927
  • Forest Conservation Act, 1980
  • S.T and other traditional forest dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006
  • National Afforestation Programme (NAP)
  • Joint forest Management (JFM)
  • Green India Mission (GIM)

Correct ways for tapping biomass energy/ efficient usage:

At household level: Government’s earlier initiatives such as National Programme on demonstration of Improved Chulha (ICS) or National Biomass Cookstoves Initiative (NBCI) have missed the target of moving towards cleaner and efficient use of biomass energy but the Unnat Chulha Abhiyan (UCA) under 12 th 5 year plan is a step in the right direction.

Conclusion:

Using a mix of energy sources has become necessary to meet the growing energy demand of the country in this context biomass energy has a big role to play in the coming years. Biomass based technologies require whole-hearted participation of development agencies, Government institutions, civil society and private sectors. At the same time it is important to map the existing biomass potential of the country and integrate it into the mainstream energy system.

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