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The green energy and biofuel revolution in India has achieved a new milestone. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s advisor Tarun Kapoor has given an important statement saying that the production capacity and supply of ethanol in the country is now much more than the current primary requirements for blending with petrol. Addressing the fourth edition of ‘The India Sugar and Bio-Energy Conference’ virtually, Tarun Kapoor said that “Ethanol production in the country has gone beyond our imagination”. He clarified that after rapidly achieving the target of 20 percent ethanol blending (E20) in petrol, now the biggest challenge is to utilize this ‘surplus’ production in the right direction, for which the government and the industry are jointly exploring new ways.
Tarun Kapoor told that the next big focus of the government Flex-Fuel Vehicles The aim is to rapidly launch ethanol in the market and formally allow blending of more than 20% ethanol in petrol.
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Preparation ahead of E20: Current gasoline engines are designed to support a maximum of 20% ethanol (E20). If more than this has to be mixed, flexible fuel engines will be required.
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Rollout of automobile companies: Many major car and two-wheeler manufacturers have announced plans to launch flex-fuel models soon.
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100% Pure Ethanol at Pumps: As flex-fuel vehicles hit the roads, the outlet network will be rapidly expanded to provide pure ethanol (E100 or higher blends) directly at petrol pumps across the country.
Tarun Kapoor said that the consumption of excess ethanol and biomass will not be limited to passenger cars only, but its use in other large sectors is also being planned:
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Bio-additives and isobutanol in diesel: Diesel has the largest share in refinery production and total fuel consumption in India. The government is working on biofuel based additives for diesel. Kapoor said that if the trials being conducted with ‘Isobutanol’ are completely successful, it will open up a huge market for biofuels.
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Cooking and Industrial Uses: Beyond the transportation sector, the government is exploring the possibility of ethanol blending in domestic cooking fuel, industrial heating and other commercial applications.
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Govardhan Yojana and CBG: The government has appealed to sugar mills and distilleries to increase investment in producing high value-added co-products like compressed biogas (CBG) and potash.
Due to the Middle East (Iran-US conflict and Strait of Hormuz crisis), crude oil is swinging around $100 per barrel in the international market, which has affected the global energy supply chain. The PM’s advisor said that in times of such geopolitical uncertainty, domestically produced biofuels act as a shield for the country’s energy security. “When the risk on foreign oil is increasing, it is extremely important that we ensure maximum and efficient use of whatever alternative energy resources are available within our country,” he said.
Recently, Tarun Kapoor took a strong stance on the concerns being raised in some circles regarding E20 petrol regarding reduced mileage and engine failure. He said such criticisms were largely spread due to ‘misinformation’ or ‘motivated reasons’. Scientific studies and automobile testing have proven that E20 has completely safe and stable performance. This slight reduction in mileage is compensated by the higher ‘Octane Rating’ of ethanol, which gives the engine better pickup and lower carbon emissions. The Government assured the biofuel industry that policy support will continue fully to protect their installed production capacities and huge investments.