Despite the slow growth in the waste-to-energy (WtE) segment, there has been an overall increase in the grid-interactive as well as the off-grid WtE capacities in the country. In fact, the capacity addition (16 MW) of grid-interactive power in 2017-18 exceeded the 10 MW target for the year. As of February 2018, the grid-connected MSW-based and the industrial waste-to-power installed capacity stands was about 170 MW, which is far behind the 10 GW by 2022 target. The quantum of waste generated in India has been one of the biggest drivers for the development of this segment. The World Bank has estimated that India’s daily waste generation is expected to reach 377,000 tonnes by 2025, thereby offering a huge potential for conversion of waste into energy. Renewable Watch takes a look at the WtE segment in the country, and discusses the learnings from the projects developed so far…
The total installed capacity of bioenergy in India stood at 9.8 GW as of July 2018. Of this, biomass and cogeneration projects contribute 9.5 GW and waste-to-energy (WtE) contributes the rest. In the past seven months, only 14 MW of bioenergy projects have been set up in the country as against the targeted 370 MW capacity for 2018-19. Even more disappointing is the fact that not even one grid-interactive or off-grid WtE plant has been set up since the beginning of this financial year.
Delhi generates over 9,600 tonnes of municipal solid waste (MSW) per day and this continues to grow with the increasing population and the rise of consumerism in the city. Further, the waste is not segregated at source despite the amended MSW rules of 2016, which could have made waste management easier.
Biogas is a mixture of different gases produced by the breakdown of agricultural waste, manure, municipal waste, plant material, sewage, green waste, or food waste, in the absence of oxygen. When this mixture is further purified and processed, it is called bio-compressed natural gas (bio-CNG). It is similar to natural gas in terms of its composition and properties, and is a cleaner alternative to fuels such as petrol and diesel.
Out of the 62 million tonnes of waste generated annually in the country, over 80 per cent is disposed at dumpsites in an unhygienic manner. With the growing urban population, environmental concerns and stressed resources, there is an urgent need to address the issues preventing the effective and efficient disposal of India’s municipal solid waste (MSW). Waste-to-Energy (WtE) technologies provide new and sustainable methods for generating electricity while helping to get rid of MSW.
In May 2018, the union cabinet approved a national policy on biofuels that seeks to not only help farmers dispose of their surplus stock in an economical manner, but also reduce India’s dependence on oil imports. Although the government introduced the National Mission on Biodiesel in 2003, it was not until 2008 that a formal biofuel policy was devised by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. The draft National Policy on Biofuel was approved by the cabinet in 2009. However, the targets set under the policy could not be met. The petroleum ministry prepared a draft for a new policy in 2017, which has now been passed. This policy outlines the responsibilities of all the ministries and departments concerned with respect to biofuels.
With the deadline for the renewable energy capacity addition target drawing closer, the industry as well as the government need to ensure that the roadmap for planned capacity addition is followed and implemented in a timely manner. To this end, a number of factors need to be addressed, of which budget allocations form an important part.
Air pollution has risen to acute levels in the National Capital Region (NCR) and adjoining areas. This spike is being attributed in large part to the burning of crop residue by farmers in Punjab and Haryana. Such burning of crop residue is undertaken every year by the cash-strapped farmers in order to save on costs and time for sowing the rabi crop. According to the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority, approximately 35 million tonnes (mt) of stubble is burnt in Punjab and Haryana just before the onset of winter. The central and state government agencies are aware of this practice, but have not been able to prevent its repeated occurrence. However, more recently, both public and private sector companies have been making efforts to come up with a viable solution to end the practice of crop burning.
The rising heap of waste is creating a public health hazard in the country. In this scenario, biogas has emerged as a promising solution. Anaerobic bacteria break down food waste, which is disposed of in landfills, to produce biogas. However, the process releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas (GHG), into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming. Biogas plants can tap this methane to generate electricity with the help of turbines and generators that can convert one form of energy into another.
