News Highlights
India has achieved the target of 10% ethanol blending in petrol, five months ahead of schedule.
Focus Points
- The announcement was made at a programme on the ‘Save Soil Movement’, which coincided with the World Environment Day.
Save Soil Movement
- The ‘Save Soil Movement’ is a global initiative to increase awareness about deteriorating soil health and bring about a conscious response to improve it.
- The Prime Minister also focus on the significant programs like Soil Health Card, Namami Ganga Programme, PM-National Gati Shakti Master Plan
What is Ethanol?
- It’s one of the most common biofuels, and it’s made naturally by yeasts fermenting carbohydrates or through petrochemical processes like ethylene hydration.
Ethanol Blending Programme
- Aim – It aims to decrease the country’s reliance on crude oil imports, reduce carbon emissions, and increase farmer incomes.
- Future Targets – The Indian government has pushed back the deadline for blending 20% ethanol into gasoline (commonly known as E20) from 2030 to 2025.
- Features of Programme
- The production of second generation ethanol (derived from forest and agricultural residues),
- The capacity to produce fuel additives,
- R and D in feedstock,
- Starting material for ethanol production,
- Financial incentives for achieving these goals
Importance of Ethanol Blending
- Decrease dependency on Petroleum:
- It is possible to minimise the quantity of petrol required to run an automobile by blending ethanol into gasoline, so lowering reliance on imported, expensive, and polluting petroleum.
- Economy
- Saved Rs 41,000 crore of forex reserve
- Minimal Pollution
- Ethanol is a cleaner-burning fuel with comparable efficiency at a cheaper cost than gasoline.
- Rise Farmers Income
- This has also brought Rs 40,000 crore of income to farmers.
- Carbon Reduction
- The rise in ethanol blending in petrol from two per cent in 2014 to 10 per cent now has reduced carbon emission by 27 lakh tonnes
Issues with Ethanol Blending
- Shortage of Food Grains
- Food grains intended for the poor are sold to distilleries at a lower cost than the states pay for their public distribution systems.
- The rural poor may suffer as a result of competition between distilleries and the public distribution system for subsidised food grains, putting them at greater danger of starvation.
- Cost
- Biofuel production necessitates the use of land, which has an impact on the cost of biofuels as well as food crops.
- High Water Use
- Massive amounts of water are needed to properly irrigate biofuel crops as well as to manufacture the fuel, putting a pressure on local and regional water supplies.
Findings of “Expert Committee on Roadmap for Ethanol Blending in India by 2025”
- The report further stated the annual plan for gradually rolling out the E20 ethanol in India.
- It also suggests the specific responsibilities of Union Ministries, State Governments and vehicle manufacturers for the production, supply and gradual rollout of 20% ethanol blending in petrol by 2025.
- The immense benefits can accrue to the country by 20% ethanol blending by 2025, such as saving Rs 30,000 crore of foreign exchange per year, energy security, lower carbon emissions, better air quality, self-reliance, use of damaged food grains, increasing farmers’ incomes, employment generation, and greater investment opportunities.
Sources of Biofuels
Way Forward
- Ethanol Blending is one of potential technologies that can minimize the dependency on fossil fuels.
Content Source : The Hindu