Biomass is defined as
carbonaceous matter that can be used to meet both primary and secondary energy
requirements. Biomass is utilized for generating heat and to drive engines
since ages. But this outmoded method of burning wood, organic residue etc is
not environmentally beneficial as it releases smoke as well as volatile organic
compounds into the atmosphere. Newer technologies have been introduced for
converting biomass into electricity thus emphasizing on ‘Carbon Neutral’
characteristic of biomass. About 70% of India’s population depends on biomass
for its existence. The potential for power generation from biomass is 48,000
MW.
Biomass is majorly
classified into three forms namely – Energy crops, Natural Vegetative Growth
and Organic Waste and Residue. Biomass includes coconut shells, groundnut
shells, coffee waste, jute waste, bagasse, municipal solid waste, municipal
liquid waste etc.
The government of India
has realized the potential of biomass in Indian context and has started
numerous programmes to foster biomass conversion technologies to be used in
various sectors. Government is also instrumental in setting up biomass power
and co-generation projects. Till date, a total of 500 such projects have been
implemented. Government of India along with private partnerships is also
providing central financial assistance, fiscal incentives and subsidies. India
has over 5940 MW biomass based power plants out of which 4946 is grid connected
and the rest is Off-grid. Biomass power
and co-generation programme is implemented by the government for optimum
utilization of biomass for power generation. The states leading in setting up
of biomass based power plants are Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra
Pradesh, Tamil Nadu etc. Still, there exist some areas that have to be pondered
upon for faster realization of biomass conversion technologies like absence of
organized formal biomass markets, inefficiencies in handling and managing the
biomass, insufficient information on different types of biomass.
Biomass availability is
head and shoulders above in rural areas as compared to urban areas. There is
seasonal availability of large quantity of stubble along with continuous
availability of animal waste and natural vegetative growth. Setting up of
community based biogas plants is a ginormous step in this direction. The
viability of biogas plant depends upon the local environment in which it
operates. It is also necessary to ensure proper maintenance of the same. Availability
of biomass increases during certain months in a year, introduction of storage
technologies for the excess biogas produced can help to meet future requirements
when the availability is minimal. Biomass should be purchased from organized
formal biomass markets set up by government to ensure continuous availability
of biomass. Unutilized and waste lands
can be used to grow switchgrass or willow trees for energy generation.
Switchgrass is grown for feed or to reduce soil erosion. It can be cofired
along with coal in thermal power plants for generating electricity. This will
result in production of 35MW of electrical power, enough to serve about 30,000
homes.
There are numerous
benefits of setting up biomass based power plants in rural areas like creating
enormous employment opportunities, extra income for the formers from the energy
crops in the waste land, meeting distributed load requirements, and extra electricity
can be transferred to the grid to meet country’s power requirements.
