BIO Energy policy strategy- 2030

BIO Energy 2030 

 The worldwide food and agri waste reaches up to 20 billion tons, most of which ends up in landfills. This poses serious health problems for human beings. With the increasing population and transportation, cities and towns are becoming more polluted than ever before. Additionally, nearly 20 million people worldwide are suffering from poverty and hunger. 

 To address these issues, it is essential to create, implement, promote, advertise, and monitor social media campaigns aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Specifically, SDG 7 focuses on affordable and clean energy, SDG 3 emphasizes good health and well-being, and SDG 15 aims for life on land. One project that can contribute to these goals is the creation of E-commerce USSD service applications for low and mid-level countries. These applications provide users with options to input data and receive relevant services automatically. By collecting information about waste disposal through USSD codes, we can redirect this waste to production sectors, minimizing its negative impact.

 In Tamil Nadu alone, the total quantity of solid waste produced is 14,228 tons per day, with Chennai contributing 3,000 tonnes per day. With a population of 7.68 crore, Tamil Nadu requires a significant amount of oil imports for its 338.22 lakh vehicles, including 285.24 lakh two-wheelers. The usage of petrol and diesel in Chennai alone amounts to 5,000 liters per day, with petrol prices exceeding 100 rupees per liter and diesel prices nearly 90 rupees per liter. To combat the carbon emissions caused by transportation, alternative fuel sources like biogas can play a vital role. 

According to IIT research, Chennai alone is projected to emit 231.9 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) by 2040 from the construction and operation of buildings. Biogas, derived from food waste, agriculture waste, and plastic waste, is a low-cost and low-pollution fuel source for vehicles. The benefits of biogas production include its lower cost compared to oil refining systems. The main sources of biogas, such as food waste, agriculture waste, and plastic waste, are readily available in cities, towns, and villages. 

For example, Chennai alone produces 25 tonnes of food waste per day. However, there are challenges to overcome. In Tamil Nadu, with its 12 Corporations, 124 Municipalities, and 528 Town Panchayats, the solid waste generation amounts to 14,600 tonnes per day. While the source cost of biogas is low, the transport cost for collecting and delivering waste from various sources to recycling plants can be higher than the production cost. Countries like Germany, Italy, UK, France, and Switzerland have successfully promoted biogas usage through legal frameworks, education schemes, and the availability of technology. Grid injection and biogas-fueled vehicles are the most common applications of biogas in these countries.  

In India, the government has released the National Policy on Bio-Fuels 2018, emphasizing the promotion of advanced biofuels, including compressed biogas (CBG). The GOBAR-DHAN scheme aims to convert cattle dung and solid waste into bio-CNG (CBG) and compost. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has also provided Central Financial Assistance (CFA) for bio-CNG. Bio gas offers several benefits compared to electricity. While India is a significant electricity provider, the production of electricity is not pollution-free. Bio gas, on the other hand, produces less pollution and offers several advantages such as reduced fuel prices, lower public transport costs, increased imports and exports between cities, towns, and villages, reduced food and agriculture product costs, and a decrease in poverty and hunger rates. In conclusion, embracing bio energy, particularly biogas, can significantly contribute to achieving the SDGs. By utilizing waste resources, promoting sustainable energy production, and addressing environmental and social challenges, we can create a better future for all.