Ministry of New and Renewable Energy

Government of India

Issue 8 April June 2011

A Quarterly Magazine on Biomass Energy, Published under the UNDP-GEF Biomass Power Project of
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India. Published by Winrock International India (WII)

Abellon Receives Ashden Awards 2010:

A Green Oscar Award

bellon has won the Ashden

Award 2011 - considered to
be the Green Oscars the top
most awards in the green and sustainable
energy segment globally. Abellon has
successfully established a sustainable
biomass pellets manufacturing model
using crop waste a local, clean source
of energy that reduces CO2 by replacing
polluting industrial fuels, as well as for
driving economic growth, improvement
in crop yields and support of farmers
through its Poornakumbha initiative.

Mr. Aditya Handa

(MD & CEO) and
Mr. Pankaj Patel
(President) receiving
award from
Mr. Greg Barker, UK
Government Minister
for Climate Change

Mr. Aditya Handa

(MD & CEO) and
Mr. Pankaj Patel
(President) with HRH,
The Prince of Wales Patron of the Ashden
Awards

Eco-Chulha Wins Golden

Peacock Eco-Innovation
Award 2011

co-Chulha, the eco-friendly cookstove, has won the

prestigious "Golden Peacock Eco-innovation Award
for the year 2011". This award was given to them
in recognition of their efforts towards replacing polluting, unhealthy, conventional cooking
practices prevailing in India with this cleaner, advanced, efficient and innovative cooking
stove. The award was presented to Abellon by Honble K V Thomas, Union Minister of State
for Food and Consumer Affairs, at the Awards Presentation Ceremony held in New Delhi on
25 June 2011.

From the Editor

Chief Patron

Deepak Gupta, Secretary, MNRE

Patron

Shashi Shekhar, Joint Secretary & National

Project Director, MNRE

Editorial Board

Sudhir Mohan, Adviser, MNRE

Srinivasan Iyer, Head (E&E Unit), UNDP
KS Popli, Director (Technical), IREDA
JR Meshram, Director, MNRE

Editor

KP Sukumaran
National Project Manager (ACE) & Former
Adviser, MNRE

Associate Editor

VK Jain, Director & NPC, MNRE

WII Editorial Team

Arvind Reddy, Program Manager

Gitika Goswami, Program Officer
Design and Layout
Jaison Jose, Sr. Program Associate &
Sasi M, Sr. Program Associate

Editorial Office

Project Management Cell

Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
Block No. 14, CGO Complex,
Lodi Road, New Delhi 110 003
Telefax
: 011-24369788
Website
: www.mnre.gov.in
Email
: jainvk@nic.in

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Publisher
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy,
Government of India, New Delhi
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Printer
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Dear Readers,
Bioenergy India is dedicated in its efforts by
bringing to you yet another informative issue. In
this 8th Issue of Bioenergy India, we present a broad
spectrum of technology options for boosting the
sustainable bioenergy development. Sustainable
supply of the required quantity of biomass has
been one area of concern for up-scaling bioenergy
projects, especially biomass based power projects.
All stakeholders including Governments, industry,
research institutions, and project developers have
been working on various options to strengthen this critical link in the overall
chain of the bioenergy development.
Facing this scenario, our main focus of the Issue would be energy plantations
and the promises it holds to address the supply side concerns. We explore,
through case studies and research in this sector, the various innovations being
carried out in this area for sustainable biomass development.
Energy Plantation Projects India (EPPI) has initiated the pilot project in 500
acres at Sivagangai, Tamil Nadu that is expected to produce electricity at very
reasonable cost. Though the primary focus was to develop energy plantation
for its own power stations, it was found that the same techniques and the results
can be extremely beneficial for all other power plants. The article Distributed
Power across India through Bioenergy presents the details and prospects of
dedicated energy plantations based bio-energy and power projects, a concept
being explored by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE),
Government of India for strengthening bioenergy development in the country.
The solution to provide sufficient energy lies in adopting a mix of appropriate
technological solutions. The latest developments in attempting fast growing
species such as BEEMA BAMBOO, Vanashree etc. for plantations are
presented in this Issue, which shows promise towards availability of low cost
biomass from captive energy plantations. Positive and negative externalities
of biomass energy systems have been examined with particular reference
to Himalayas, which could be a useful tool while encouraging large scale
bioenergy projects in that region. Another study contained in this Issue shows
the positive impacts of agro-forestry in regenerating alkaline soils for rice and
wheat production.
The article on Self-Power Generating Chula (wood stove), a New Alternate
Micro-Power Generation Technology presents a new innovation to replace the
kerosene lamps used by the villagers with brighter and safer LEDs energized
by bioenergy.
To map the progress of our contemporaries, we bring to you policy perspective
and this time we analyze Thailands Biomass Policy from an Indian
Perspective.
Also included are our regular features for your information on What to
Read, Attend and Latest News in the sector to keep you abreast with all the
happenings.
We look forward to your suggestions and comments.

Disclaimer

The views expressed by authors including those of

the Editor in this magazine are not necessarily the
views of MNRE or WII.

(K.P. Sukumaran)

April-June 2011

BIOENERGY India is a quarterly magazine covering technological, operational, financial

and regulatory aspects of various biomass conversion technologies such as combustion,
cogeneration, gasification and biomethanation. Biomass specific project perspectives,
technology innovations, industry/market outlook, financial schemes, policy features, best
practices and successful case studies etc are also included in the publication.

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In F

12

Energy
Plantations
Projects: A New
Step towards
Sustainable
Development

14

A Model for
Optimizing
Site Selection
for Biomass
Energy
Systems in the
Himalayas

s
u
c
o
6

Self-Power
Generating Chula
(Wood Stove)

Distributed Power
across India
through Bioenergy
Time for Urban
Professionals to
Take Over

Low Cost Biomass

from Captive
Energy Plantation

20

8
22

26

Thailands Biomass
Policy A View
from Indian Policy
Perspective

30

34

Economic Feasibility and

Socio-economic Impacts
of Four Bio-saline Agroforestry Systems in
Haryana, India

Case Study: Sweet

Side of the Power
Sector in Mauritius

38

News
Snippets

Energy Crop
Plantations for
Biomass Power
Plants and its
Future in India

Distributed Power across India

through Bioenergy
Time for Urban Professionals to Take Over

istributed Power across India

of its kind in the world where a

unattractive practically and financially.

through Bioenergy is one

Central Government makes explicit

Energy Plantations (Forests) is an

of the important initiatives

efforts through policy formulations

answer to this. Energy Plantations are

launched by Ministry of New and

to convert the much discussed and

Man-Made High-Density Regenerative

Renewable Energy (MNRE). Their

much researched subject of Energy

Forests with fast growing trees

initiative influenced a group of urban

Plantations for Power into ground

specifically for Power Generation. The

professionals in a private power

level reality and projects. The

harvesting cycles are less than four

company called Energy Plantation

initiative manifests itself as a very

years to start with and less than three

Projects India Limited (EPPI) to such

effective combination of the objective

years for subsequent harvests. MNRE

an extent that the company developed

and means. What triggered this

is encouraging setting up of Power

an eco-system out of this concept. The

initiative? Reactive as well as proactive

Stations based on Energy Plantations.

eco-system consists of managerial,

components make up this initiative.

technical, social and financial

wherewithal.

In the proactive sphere, MNRE made

Majority of the Biomass Energized

very attractive the planning and

Electrical Power Stations (BEEPS) in

execution of BEEPS with complete fuel

Bioenergys importance and the

India use firewood as feedstock. Lacs

security through Energy Plantations.

statistics associated with the subject

of tons of this feedstock (termed often

In addition to incentive regime, MNRE

are a common knowledge already.

simply as biomass) is required every

is also collecting information from

MNRE comes out regularly with

year for functioning of these power

various agencies like EPPI to come out

various policies, incentives etc. to

stations. Shortage of feedstock and

with credible set of policies in various

promote distributed power through

its effects on functioning of BEEPS is

spheres of investment, clearances

bioenergy route. Latest among

now a well-regretted phenomenon.

etc. to encourage all round ease and

these initiatives is the Dedicated

Only forests can produce such large

facilitation.

Plantations based Biomass Power

quantities of firewood. Growing

and Energy. This initiative is first

forests is a decade-long effort, which is

April-June 2011

A Biomass Power Station (Courtesy, Ankur)

E nerg y P l antations

E nerg y P l antations
requirements through a series of
backward integration steps involving
principles of electrical engineering,
management and forestry.
Some of the outstanding advantages
urban professionals bring in, in the
field of energy plantations leading to
Power are enumerated below:

Reduction of cycle time in almost

all activities.

Elimination of rework to a large

extent.

Seeking and inclusion of new

technologies and professional
disciplines and making bioenergy a

An Energy Plantation (Courtesy, EPPI)

multi-disciplinary approach.

Role of Urban Professionals

Lack of fear (comparable) of failure

in experimentation.

Where do Urban Professionals

consists of professionals none of whom

figure in this scheme of things? Their

had any exposure or experience in

entry is best facilitated by one of

forestry or agriculture. They started

the outstanding aspects of initiative

with this disadvantage and they found

taken by MNRE. It is the scalability.

over a period of time that this lack

The initiative facilitates setting up

Power Stations with capacities of
few hundred kW and the associated

non-conformity.

Social inclusion as a part of

business execution rather than as
charity or as CSR.

Innovation in technologies as well

as management practices.

of expertise turned out to be to their

Out of the Box strategic thinking

advantage in terms of innovation and

Formalization of the age-old

wisdom of rural workers in the
form of documentation and

energy plantation of 15-20 acres

Standard Operating Procedures.

for fuel security. The initiative also

Current day urban professionals

facilitates setting up Power Stations

bring in the planning and work

with capacity of up to 2 MW and

culture not common in the world of

The attitudes and approaches

the associated energy plantation of a

forestry and agriculture. Best of their

of educated urban professionals

few hundred acres for fuel security.

attitudes stems from their quest to

enumerated here are assets in the

It is this wide range of business

make the establishment recursive

field of energy plantations for Power.

possibilities and business prospects

for performance excellence. Applied

Some of the achievements of EPPI bear

that is drawing the attention of urban

R&D, formal management systems

testimony to the results of possessing

professionals with disposable incomes.

like reviews, standard operating

these assets.

procedures, computerization,

Cost of Biomass (feedstock) is

The Eco-System referred to in the

documentation etc. are some of the

anywhere between 60 to 70% of

very first paragraph of this article is

elements of the standard building

the cost of production of one unit

the Cause Clbre developed by EPPI.

blocks of their recursive approach. In

of electricity. EPPI is able to bring

In the process of developing this Eco-

addition to minimizing subjectivity in

this cost down to 15 to 20%. One

System, the company came across

all aspects of forestry development,

can appreciate the profitability in

the unique nature and advantages

they could improve predictability of

of Urban Professionals taking up the

forest growth tremendously and the

Green Energy Initiative. Following

downstream predictability of feedstock

supply (lack of which haunted the

text is a result of years of experience,

availability to the power stations. This

Power Stations for so long) can be

convictions and proof. It augurs well

entailed a very innovative approach

at this juncture to declare that EPPI

of converting the Power Station

business in such a case.

Predictability of the feedstock

achieved with all round benefits.

In their 300 acres of energy

April-June 2011

E nerg y P l antations
Project Cost
(Energy plantations
and power station
together)

`130 lacs

`10 lacs

techniques.

Investment per
person (equity
component)

Ability to grow energy plantations

Yearly PBT

in 3 to 4 years in the first harvest

`15 lacs

Break even period

About 7 years

plantations, EPPI employs just

about 30 to 35 professionals to
run the company, making it a lean
and mean machine. It is because
of the use of formal management

and 2 to 3 years for subsequent

never more welcome than now.

with disposable incomes plunge into

They will create huge employment
opportunities in the villages. They
will create an atmosphere of progress

harvests.

Case 2: Possible to set up a One MW

and development in the country.

Total social acceptability. The

power station with about 120 acres of

They will serve the cause of ecology.

companys greatest strength

land for growing energy plantations

With their resources and capabilities,

is the support and security

for fuel security. A 20 people project.

they will make a positive impact on

who see the win-win situation,

distinctly different from what they
experienced all along.
The company developed the
wherewithal to set up a series of
2 MW power stations with the
associated biomass security from
the energy plantations.

It is time that urban professionals

the Green Route to produce Power.

provided by the rural population

attractive, never more doable and

Both small and big farmers are

coming forward to repeat the
initiative of growing energy
plantations for Power.

Ability to attract investors.

Ability to set up Power Stations

with total fuel security.

the industrial and social map of the

Project Cost (energy `800 lacs
plantations and
power station
together)
Investment per
person (equity
component)

`20 lacs

Yearly PBT

`150 lacs

Break even period

5 to 7 years

well as entrepreneurs.
When urban professionals come in
to set up small to medium power
stations backed up with fuel security

(Note: In both cases, value of the power stations

with supporting energy plantations appreciates
in a big way with time)

country while earning for themselves

(in the form of energy plantations)

they will play a very big role in the
much desired decentralized power
production and distribution. In
addition to alleviating the stress on the
national grid, they will be creators of

One need not go to the government

a large number of industrial centers

for any freebies

based on power available locally.

It is possible to procure the lands on

lease as they are available in plenty

With such advantages of association

One should not go for energy

in the energy plantations and

plantations in wet lands. It will

power production, how attractive

have a negative effect on the

is it business-wise, i.e. in terms

countrys economy as well as local

of investment and returns? A few

economy. Instead, it is possible

numbers and other details can validate

to go for energy plantations in

this aspect. All numbers are tentative

dry and unused lands. EPPI has

and are likely to vary with actual

accomplished the same already.

project requirements:

IRR of the Power Station and

Conclusion

energy plantations together is of

One can count a number of positive

the order of about 25%. This is very

factors when urban professionals take

high by most industry standards.

up the Green Power Route. There are

Break even period of about seven

many positive aspects of the energy

years in most projects.

plantation scenario in the country

Case 1: Setting up a mini 100 kW

like the bank funding (up to 70% of

power plant with about twenty acres

the project cost), MNREs help etc.

of land growing energy plantations for

Setting up the power stations through

fuel security. A four people project.

the Green Route was never more

April-June 2011

The company established fuel security

for its own power stations before setting
up power stations. They achieved this
by growing Man-Made High Density
Forests with fast growing trees in
their 300 acre energy plantations.
S. Venkatesam was previously a
Director of Motorola and a former Wing
Commander of I A F.

Courtesy: S. Venkatesam, Chairman

and Managing Director, Energy
Plantation Projects India Limited
Email: sam@eppi.co.in

E nerg y from B amboo

Low Cost Biomass from Captive

Energy Plantation

he demand for renewable

energy through biomass is
increasing, but the utilizable

biomass is not available sufficiently.

The present agricultural waste
available in cotton field as stalk,
maize field as stalk and corn, paddy
field as straw and husk, sunflower
field as stalk & head are suitable for
biomass, but the collection becomes
very laborious. To generate 1 MW of
electricity, the requirement of biomass
varies from 8,000 to 10,000 tons every
year, which is available from 6,000 to
8,000 acres of agricultural waste. The
cultivated biomass such as Eucalyptus,
Casuarina and wild Prosophis juliflora
are better substitute for agricultural
waste since the annual quantity of
biomass required for 1 MW is available

but still is called a tree. Beema bamboo

At the same time the total carbon

from 1,000 to 1,200 acres. The latest

is improved clone selected from

accumulation every year is from 20

development in bamboo based

naturally occurring wild population of

to 24 tons per acre per year which

energy plantation has resulted in high

Bambusa balcooa with specific emphasis

is equivalent to 73 to 88 ton of CO2.

biomass, reducing the area required

on higher biomass production, better

Beema bamboo generates 70 to 80

for 1MW to 200 acres of cultivated hi-

carbon sequestration, low ash content

Certified Emission Reduction (CER)

yielding clone of bamboo.

and superior fuel quality. It is 100%

per acre per year, which is equivalent

homogenous and highly suitable for

to 175 to 200 CER per hectare per year.

high density plantation. and responds

Carbon credit can also be obtained

well to agronomic practices.

by generating electricity from the

BEEMA Bamboo
Biomass from bamboo is considered
best among other known biomass

renewable biomass of bamboo. Apart

resources due to its good calorific

Beema bamboo is a high density

from providing carbon credit directly

value (4,000 kcal/Kg), low ash content

bamboo which is sterile, fast growing,

from power generation, the process

of 0.5% and sustainable harvest.

thorn less, thick walled and high

of Pyrolysis generates carbon as

The usage of bamboo is known for

yielding. The wall thickness of Beema

byproduct. When this is applied to soil

construction work, furniture, fiber

bamboo is 3 to 4 times better than other

as soil amendments, it is also eligible

and paper but for energy as biomass

bamboo species available in wild. The

for carbon credit.

remains untapped. The new bamboo

total dry matter production of Beema

variety called BEEMA has got

bamboo under optimum condition

As bioenergy resources, bamboo can

huge potential to bring revolution

ranges from 40 to 50 ton per acre

meet both thermal as well as electrical

as bioenergy resources and it is not

per year worked with 12% moisture

energy requirement and thereby

popular among many since it is

condition. Beema bamboo has got

bamboo can give energy security

something naturally existing with very

calorific value of 4,000 kcal per Kg and

in the most efficient way possible.

low annual yield. The bamboo is the

very low ash content of < 1% and is best

Energy plantation based on bamboo

tallest grass and a non-woody plant,

suited for energy plantation.

could be raised in many parts of India

April-June 2011

E nerg y from B amboo

The new bamboo

variety called
BEEMA has got
huge potential to
bring revolution
as bio energy
resources and it is
not popular among
many since it is
something naturally
existing with very
low annual yield.
Beema bamboo is a
high density bamboo
which is sterile, fast
growing, thorn less,
thick walled and
high yielding.

and highly suitable for degraded

forest lands, non-agricultural lands,
degraded lands with water facility, and
river banks.
India is one of the important
developing countries with deep
interest in renewable energy. MNRE
is working with an aim to achieve at
least 10,000 MW of energy through
biomass in the next few years. The
biomass required to achieve this target
of 10,000 MW can easily be achieved,
if 2 million hectare can be planted
with hi-yielding biomass bamboo as
Energy Plant ation in an intensive

briquette with no adulteration

Thorn less bamboo as against the

natural thorny bamboo

Sterile bamboo and hence no death

of plant for several decades

Responds very well to better

agronomical practices and yielding
as much as 40 to 50 tons of biomass
per acre every year

Under well managed condition,

the biomass would be available at
a cost lesser than `750/- per ton as
against the market price of above
`3,000/- for firewood and above
`4,000/- for briquettes.

The clone of Beema bamboo was

developed from an Indian species
called Bambusa balcooa which is
common in North Eastern India.
The plantlets of Beema bamboo is
being made available by propagating
through tissue culture in large number.
The Beema clone has been planted

manner adopting scientific agricultural

practices.

higher density, resemble as natural

viable in future Growmore Biotech

for energy plantation by several

Ltd. has been exploring the possibility

companies generating electricity

The advantage of energy plantation

of generating quality biomass at a

through biomass.

based on the new bamboo clone is

lower price. Though in the past many

that it starts providing biomass in two

types of biomass and fire wood has

Planting of Beema bamboo can be

years time and does so continuously

been explored and utilized, the recent

taken up either with regular planting

for over next 100 years, at a low

development of fastest growing clone

density of 200 plants per acre where

cost of less than `800/- a ton with

of Beema bamboo can effectively

the biomass can be harvested after 4

energy value of 4,000 K.Cal./kg and

provide a solution to the present crisis

years. The Beema bamboo can also be

ash content of 0.5%. The biomass of

of biomass as firewood.

planted in intensive method having

1,000 plants per acre where the harvest

bamboo is highly suitable for gasifier

begins two years after planting.

and the by-product of gasifier called

During the last ten years, Growmore

biochar is very attractive agriculture

Biotech Ltd. has conducted several

input to increase the productivity

trials with different species of plant

Well drained soil having a depth of 2

of agricultural land as well as

with an objective to increase the

to 2 feet is sufficient for cultivating

degraded lands.

biomass yield in a unit area. This

Beema bamboo. Being a tropical

has resulted in the development

variety the best growth is achieved

Rising cost of biomass over a period

of new bamboo clone Beema,

between 10 to 45C. However, it can

is increasing the cost of production

which has the following desirable

tolerate temperature as low as 2C.

of biomass based power making

characteristics:

Most of the tea, coffee and rubber

biomass projects unviable. In the

Calorific value of 4,000 kcal/Kg

plantation areas are most suitable for

days to come, the firewood prices are

Low ash content of less than 1%

cultivating Beema bamboo for biomass

likely to increase further and in order

Increased wall thickness compared

purpose. The water requirement

to normal bamboo resulted in

for Beema bamboo, for the best

to make the biomass power industry

10

April-June 2011

E nerg y from B amboo

yield to obtain is 2,000 mm per year,

The expected yield on a dry basis (10

of bamboo also plays a role in

however it can grow in the regions

to 15% moisture content) under well

sequestering carbon. It acts as a carbon

having average rain fall from 1000

managed condition is as given below:

sink as it absorbs excess CO2 in the

air with three to four times more

mm onwards. Best growth of Beema

bamboo is achieved under high

Period

Quantity

efficiency than any other tree. Which

humid condition with well spread

End of 2nd year

30 to 40 tons

means, the more bamboos we plant,

rain or irrigation along with regular

End of 3rd year

40 to 50 tons

the more CO2 is absorbed and thus

application of adequate fertilizer as

End of 4th year

50 to 60 tons

we can stop neutralizing the global

per the soil condition. This bamboo

End of 5th year

60 tons and above

warming effect.

reaches a growth speed of 1 to 1

feet a day after it attains the age of 2

Bamboo has wide range of climate

Though there are many entrepreneurs

years. The fertilizer requirement for

adaptability. It can tolerate

interested in investing in biomass

Beema bamboo is 160: 40: 200 NPK per

temperature of 2C to 45C. and can be

based power generation, shortage

acre, which should be altered based on

cultivated in any type of soil. Unlike

of biomass remains a major obstacle

the soil tested at 6 inches depth and 2

other trees it does not deplete ground

in establishing renewable energy

feet depth.

water (bamboo has got shallow -

projects. Establishment of bamboo

adventurous root system). It has got

based energy plantation would

higher water use efficiency of 3.8 to

permanently solve the raw material

Bamboo can be harvested throughout

8.1 g/lit. It rejuvenates faster than any

requirement (biomass) for renewable

the year except during monsoon. At

other tree species. It usually sheds its

energy projects.

the time of harvest the bamboo pole

leaves during dry months and when

will have 40% moisture and it should

there is supply of water or rain it starts

be dried to 10 to 15% before using as

to grow, it will not die unlike most of

fire wood. The drying of bamboo is

the tree species.

Harvesting of Bamboo

faster and quicker after it is being split

in to two or made into chips as per the

Bamboo sequesters carbon faster

requirement of the boiler.

and higher than many other biomass

trees. The root and rhizome portion

Courtesy: Dr N Barathi
Director, Growmore Biotech Ltd.
Email: growmore@vsnl.com

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experiences, expertise and to discuss issues related to harnessing biomass energy in an efficient and cost
effective manner. The magazine encompasses the full spectrum of biomass energy sector related information,
which will help creating awareness about the same amongst the relevant audiences.
The magazine tries to bring an overall perspective by bringing out the experiences, information related to this
key sector for a wider benefit of the Renewable Energy community. Bioenergy India therefore, is intended to
meet the updated information requirements of a diverse cross-section of stakeholders from various end-use
considerations, be it biomass combustion, gasification or cogeneration. To meet such an objective in a timely
manner, the editorial team of the magazine invites articles, features, case studies and news items, etc., from
academicians, researchers and industry professionals.
The contributions should be of about 2,000-2,500 words (approximately 5-6 pages, which would include
relevant graphs, charts, figures and tables). The two lead articles would be given an honorarium of ` 1,500
each. Please send in your inputs along with relevant photographs to:
Sasi M (sasi@winrockindia.org)
Winrock International India: 788, Udyog Vihar, Phase V, Gurgaon-122 001; Phone: 0124-4303868

April-June 2011

11

S ustainab l e D eve l opment

Energy Plantations Projects: A New

Step towards Sustainable Development

almost inexhaustible renewable

High Density Energy

Plantations

sources of energy which are

Since generation of heat energy using

given below:

essentially local and independent of

biomass is an age old concept, it need

unreliable and finite sources of fuel.

not be detailed here. It concentrates

the energy plantations will be of the

The attractive features of energy

on the idea of using home grown

variety that can produce biomass

plantations are: (a) heat content of

feedstock for generation of heat energy.

of right density, right thermal

wood similar to that of coal, (b) wood

Home grown pertains to cultivation

characteristics like the calorific

is low in sulphur and not likely to

of forests of fast growing trees on

value, ash content and right

pollute the atmosphere, (c) ash from

hundreds of acres of unused land.

physical characteristics according

nergy plantations provide

predictable manner. This aspect of

predictability has three elements as
Suitability: The species involved in

to growth parameters (height,

burnt wood is a valuable fertilizer, (d)

utilization of erosion prone land for

The need for a captive plantation by

girth etc.), coppicing (regenerative)

raising these plantations help reduce

the power producing company is

qualities and right adaptability to

soil erosion by wind and water,

essential because:

thereby minimizing hazards from

It substitutes the use of electrical

local environment, etc.

Repeatability: The species involved

floods, siltation, and loss of nitrogen

energy for withering and drying

in the energy plantations will

and minerals from soil and (e) help

process

be qualified for repeatability.

It provides the much needed

This means that the species are

biomass availability and security

to be amenable for reproduction

plantation is estimated to provide

Social benefits for the company

in large quantities with all the

employment for at least seven

Reduction in the raw material cost

characteristics of healthy growth

persons regularly.

Reduction in logistics cost when

built in. Techniques for the

the energy plantation is within the

regeneration (like seed farming,

vicinity of the tea factory

vegetable propagation, EMI

Optimization of the design brings

techniques etc.) may be man-made,

is supplied from home grown

in economies of manufacture and

but the species themselves should

plantations. A combination of fast

resultant reduction in the cost of

be those that can adapt to the

in rural employment generation - it

is estimated that an hectare of energy

The feedstock (firewood as biomass

in this case) for power stations

the equipment

growing, high calorific wood yielding,

and easily reproducible species are
designed for this purpose.

Based on the ideal parameters of

regeneration techniques.

Scalability: As large quantities of

operation the plants can be run at

biomass is expected to be acquired

maximum load factor.

from the energy plantations

every year, the plantations should

The pilot project in 500 acres initiated

by Energy Plantation Projects India

Heat production using natural

have the ability to produce a

(EPPI) is under implementation

renewable sources qualifies as one

large number of saplings for

at Sivagangai, Tamil Nadu that

of the most desirable methods by

this purpose. This involves

is expected to produce cheapest

energy plantations. Energy plantation

development of suitable

electricity by far. Though the primary

forests are grown specifically for

techniques for organized and

focus was to develop energy plantation

the purpose of producing electricity

orderly reproduction techniques,

for its own power stations, it was

/ heat production. Hence, they are

supervision and placement at

found that the same techniques and

to be designed, implemented and

the right time and in the right

the results can be extremely beneficial

maintained for producing firewood

quantity.

for all other power plants.

required for power plants in a

12

April-June 2011

S ustainab l e D eve l opment

Technical
details of
Selected
Species

Calorific value
4,000 Cal/g
to
5,000 Cal/g

Weight density

Yield in tons per

hectare

0.335 gm/cm3
to
0.616 gm/cm3

Harvest cycle

250 MT

Harvest ready from the 4th year

and then coppicing process
starts

Technical Description of the

Energy Plantation

The expected yield from a well

on the supply of raw material. The

maintained biomass plantation using

harvesting, drying and cutting cycle

The company has for the past seven

these species can give 500 Mt/Hectare.

can be exactly matched to the power

years conducted experiments,

production needs, since the raw

compiled data and statistics to identify

Value Addition

many species which are suitable

Most of the power plants are suffering

plantation. This results in optimum

for firewood purpose. Below is the

from raw material supply / sourcing

utilization of raw material available

technical list of species which have

problem. The biomass plantations are

without giving scope for loss of

been tried at our own fields and have

a one window solution for complete

weight due to early procurement and

also been recommended by many

biomass security of the raw material

parking of raw material. As a result,

more research organizations for the

requirement of a power plant. This

there will be a huge reduction of cost

purpose of firewood. The table (above)

ensures the smooth functioning and

due to availability of biomass near

also gives the technical parameters of

maximum efficiency of the power

power station. Since the biomass

the species selected.

plant. The size of plantation can be

is permanently available, logistics

planned in line with the production

involved in biomass transportation can

The basis of selecting the above

needs. The cost of firewood as we all

be well planned and managed.

mentioned species are:

know, in the open market, has shot up

Rate of growth: The minimum

more than 300% in the last 3 years.

growth rate of the plants is 5 m

Since this is the age of global

warming and green energy projects,

in a year. The expected growth

Captive biomass plantations not only

the project shall surely earn laurels

parameters of all the species

secure the power plants from non

from all corners of society including

selected are almost in the same

availability of biomass, but also from

governments and bankers. This is in

range. These trees are expected to

the increase in market price. Other

reality a true contribution to Mother

grow to a height of 15 m by 5 years

than the initial capital investment for

Earth.

with a trunk diameter of 1 m at

the project establishment, there shall

breast level.

be no further huge capital investments

The plantation will also provide

Calorific value: The calorific values

made on biomass plantation. Therefore

employment opportunity to local

of all the species are around 4,500

the owner is insured from the upward

habitats. The setting up of energy

kcal/Kg. This is the optimum

movement of the market prices of

plantations will lead to generating

range of calorific value that can be

firewood.

employment opportunities in dry areas

attained with the combination of

material is available in home grown

that are focus areas for government

good growth characteristics.

The cost of biomass (firewood)

development projects. Private

Coppicing quality: The

which is harvested from a home

companies can contribute by fulfilling

regenerating nature of these species

grown plantation is more economical

their corporate social responsibility

is the most important aspect of

compared to purchasing it from open

by being a part of setting up of such

commercial viability. All the species

market. The quality and specifications

energy plantations.

are very good coppices and can re-

of the raw material has a direct impact

grow very well on cutting.

on the maintenance of the boilers.

Weight density: The species are

Whereas in the case of captive biomass

chosen after studying more than

plantations the raw material fed to

60 different species. The species

the power station is predetermined,

selected all have a weight density

this reduces the frequency of boiler

ranging between 45 Kgs/cft to 60

maintenance. By developing captive

Kgs/cft.

power stations, there is total control

Courtesy: Avin Nanjappa

Senior Manager
EPPI (Energy Plantation Projects India
Limited), Mob: 096552 39896
Email: avin@eppi.co.in

April-June 2011

13

B ioenerg y for Hima l a y as

A Model for Optimizing Site Selection for

Biomass Energy Systems in the Himalayas

uman development is

entire Himalayan ranges spread

of the Himalayas these renewable

inextricably linked to access

across Afghanistan, Pakistan, China,

energy systems could be based

to energy. A developed

India, Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar

on wind, solar, micro-hydel and

country is one that has been able

has been slow as many isolated

biomass all of which have site specific

to provide access to modern forms

communities living in these hills are

advantages and limitations. Wind

of energy to all its citizens at their

still effectively beyond the reach of

energy based systems work best

doorsteps. Often the single most

electricity. Mountain villages tend to

during windy seasons that do not

important step in the direction of

be small on account of low availability

last for longer than four months in

poverty alleviation is a significant

of arable lands. High cost of carriage,

most parts of Himalayas except along

increase in the provision of both

high transmission losses and severe

the ridges which tend to be windier.

household and commercial energy to

difficulties in maintenance limit the

But, precisely for this reason, such

the poor communities at affordable

extension of energy grids to remotely

places are the least preferred sites

prices. Providing this access is difficult

located communities.

for habitations since continuous high

enough for developing countries

winds drains the lands of moisture

on account of lack of human and

Stand alone renewable energy

leaving them desiccated. Besides, wind

financial resources and the technology

production and supply system, where

based systems demand relatively high

deficit they usually face but the

the resource is locally available,

expertise even for routine maintenance

problem can become insurmountable

communities are both the producer

which is rarely available in such

in the face of geographical features

and the consumer of energy and

low population remote localities.

of a mountainous terrain. Poverty

are capable of routine maintenance

Solar energy so far has limited use

alleviation over large parts of the

tasks, is more suited to these remote

for heating water since electricity

isolated habitations over almost the

parts of the Himalayas. In the case

generation using solar cells has the

14

April-June 2011

B ioenerg y for Hima l a y as

problem of storage costs on account

be utilized for this purpose. The

of the fact that it is produced during

production of woody biomass for

day while the demand for household

this energy system has a number of

energy peaks at night. Water flow

associated externalities, both positive

based micro-hydel systems offer

and negative. Generally, positive

good opportunities in many places

externalities are soil and moisture

but has obvious limitations during

conservation on hill slopes, landslide

the prolonged dry periods when the

control and energy security. Food

amount of water gets reduced sharply

security, water availability, biodiversity

over most of the Himalayas.

conservation and conservation of

wildlife can, however, be negatively

Often the single

most important step
in the direction of
poverty alleviation is
a significant increase
in the provision of
both household and
commercial energy to
the poor communities
at affordable prices.

Thus wind, solar, and micro-hydel

impacted by intensive cultivation of

stand-alone energy systems all have

large quantities of woody biomass

seasonal, locational, maintenance

for energy production. For a

expertise and maintenance cost

meaningful economic development

limitations that might not permit

of these hill regions it is imperative

China, India, Brazil, Indonesia and

high levels of dependence on these

that the positive externalities far

others. Such deep changes can not be

systems in the Himalayas. In contrast,

outweigh the negative ones in these

achieved based on energy efficiency

biomass based energy systems may

biomassfor- energy production sites.

and other technological innovations

prove better option since their primary

This paper suggests ways to balance

while continuing to grow economically

requirement is land which is often

supporting and limiting factors and

relying on fossil energy. The biomass

available in remote areas at relatively

positive and negative externalities for

based energy, even at its current stage

low opportunity costs. There is

selecting suitable sites for biomass

of technological development, has a

plentiful human expertise available

energy systems and thus develops a

high potential to permit a significant

in remotest parts in tree rearing and

theoretical basis for optimizing site

shift from fossil energy of the past

harvesting and most small sized

selection for stand-alone biomass based

to the energy that reaches the earth

modern biomass gasification based

energy systems for remote isolated

today and is available to us through

electricity generation systems require

communities in the Himalayas.

photosynthesis. It is for this reason that

a level of routine maintenance that can

minimal supervision by higher levels

A Key Element of
Low Carbon Path of
Development

of technical expertise.

Biomass based modern form of energy

be undertaken by most villagers with

only a few hours of training under

Objective

is a key element of the low carbon

biomass based energy is a key element

in the low carbon path of development
that is so crucial to prevent dangerous
consequences to the earth from the
warming climate.

Biomass based energy systems,

crucial for limiting the climate change

however, also have a number of

to a level above which it can have

Understanding Risks
and Uncertainties for
Encouraging Investments

limiting factors, and positive and

dangerous consequences for the

New developments in the energy

negative externalities that are site

earth. In the G20 summit held at Italy

sector on a scale large enough to make

specific. Large quantities of sustainable

in July 2009 it was decided that all

a significant contribution to the energy

production of woody biomass would

countries, developed and developing,

supply become possible through

be required for meeting the growing

take steps to limit the temperature

the willingness of the investors,

demand of energy in these localities

rise to 2 degree Celsius by the year

developers and suppliers to enter the

which can not be supplied using

2100. Such a step would require an

market which is, in turn, dependent

wastelands alone as has often been

emission cut as high as 80% below the

upon the risk and reward environment

proposed in national wood energy

1990 levels for the larger developed

of such ventures (Elghali et al, 2007).

policies and considerable extents

economies and similar departures

To the investors, who can not rely on

of new lands, not hitherto used for

from the business-as-usual scenarios

ecological benefits for making gains on

wood production, would have to

for the big developing economies of

their investments except to the extent

path of development that is considered

April-June 2011

15

B ioenerg y for Hima l a y as

translated into carbon credits, the risks

While the national governments

of varying indicators with different

emanate from the complex matrix

would be concerned about meeting

dimensions, as well as uncertainties

of ecological, social and economic

their GHG reduction targets through

and ignorance, using explicit value

factors that impinge on each other,

the development of biomass based

judgement by a trained body of

sometimes compensating each other

energy system the local concerns are

peers and stakeholding communities

and, as often, enhancing others both

more likely to be cheap uninterrupted

(Elghalli et al, 2007). For this analysis

in their negative and positive aspects.

energy supplies, income from their

eleven attributes including extent of

The complexity of a biomass based

lands and employment generation

isolation, population, land availability,

system is enhanced by the very large

and local environmental issues

soil, moisture, biodiversity and

number of stakeholders involved not

like the landslides and the soil and

wildlife conservation, landslide

only as consumers but as producers

moisture conservation (Domac et al

control, energy security, food security,

of the biomass and as the owners of

2005, Elghalli et al 2007). These issues

and NTFP production were selected

(or having stakes over) lands where

have been classified in three broad

as suitability attributes and attribute

the biomass is to be raised. Besides

categories as economic viability,

parameters were identified. These

them the significant others are biomass

environmental performance and

attributes were made dimensionless

intermediaries, plant owners and

social acceptability (Elghali et al, 2007,

dividing them in very low, low,

operators, regulatory authorities and

Mitchell et al, 2004).

moderate, high and very high

the general public residing in the

categories on 1 to 5 scale on the basis

whom can stall project consent leading

Multi-criteria Decision
Analysis

to risks associated with time and cost

In bioenergy system of the type that is

systems. Negative externalities are

overruns (Elghali et al, 2007).

under discussion here, which covers

awarded negative weight. Detailed

a very large area across a multitude

explanation is given below:

neighborhood and downstream all of

of their impact on the desirability of

establishing biomass based energy

As discussed above a large biomass

of geographic, economic and social

based energy system in the Himalayas

features constantly interacting with

The extent of isolation of the site is

would attract investments if the

and influencing each other, can not

measured in terms of distance from

risks and rewards are clear to the

be analyzed by using the normal

an all weather road. The more remote

stakeholders and the uncertainties

scientific approach of reductionism. A

the site more is its utility as a site for

are reduced and brought within

central feature of a system approach

stand-alone biomass based energy

manageable limits. Since this energy

is that a whole is greater than the sum

since those near the roads are easily

system is heavily influenced by the site

of its part where as reductionism is

served by the grid based energy

selection it stands to reason that the

examining small parts of a system

systems that can not only supply their

choice of sites should contain within

and then summing them up to get a

higher requirements, since commercial

itself a measure of risks and rewards.

complete picture. A systems approach

activities requiring higher amount of

There are three core components of

allows simplification of complex

energy are more likely to be located

bioenergy, namely, the feed stock

systems by identifying key indicators

along roadside, but can also be

supply, conversion to energy and

and common known principles

maintained properly on account of

distribution of energy. All these

that capture the interplay of its

ease of access.

three fundamental components are,

constituents, and thus its dynamism,

in turn, affected by social, economic

without losing a holistic view. This

The population is another attribute

and ecological factors. These factors

methodology involves identification of

taken in consideration and the number

are almost independent of each other

a host of such key indicators relevant

of households is considered a suitable

at their core but have large overlaps

to the purpose and then using a

parameter because it is a more reliable

on their flanks and for best results a

suitable multi-criteria analysis for

indicator of energy consumption than

cohesive integration of these factors

arriving at the desired objective.

the number of people and also because

is essential. Arriving at a consensus

this data is generally available all

is difficult when faced with concerns

A number of multi-criteria approaches

through the Himalayan region cutting

that such an array of stakeholders

have been developed over the past

across the nations, with the possible

can bring to the negotiating table.

few years that seek to integrate a host

exception of Afghanistan. The smaller

16

April-June 2011

B ioenerg y for Hima l a y as

the size the greater would be the utility

available from other sources in terms

Yet another attribute with negative

for a stand alone system. Tiny hamlets

of fulfilling the requirement as the

dimensions is the economic security

are also more likely to be remote thus

attribute parameter. The site that has

of the local resource poor people

according defacto additional weight to

the least availability of energy from

dependent upon the NTFP for

the remoteness.

other sources would score the highest

livelihood requirements. Tree planting

on this scale since the objective is to

for biomass has the potential of

Third attribute is the land availability

enhance the energy security of the

reducing the income of these people

and the attribute parameter chosen is

communities.

significantly. Just like in the case of

the sufficiency of the available land

the other two negative externalities

for meeting the biomass demand

Yet another attribute is the food

in this case also high weight has been

for energy production. If the land

security where the attribute parameter

accorded to the loss of income from

available at a site is much more than

is the extent of agriculture land that

NTFP to the poor community and a

required for meeting the biomass

is used for raising trees for biomass

25% decrease in such income would

demand then it is most suitable.

generation and carries negative

result in the maximum negative

This would mean that no land fit

weight. Food security concerns have

valuation.

for agriculture would be put under

been given high weight and sites,

bioenergy production thus reinforcing

where more than a quarter of the

Soil conservation is another positive

the food security requirement which

available agriculture lands would

externality of tree planting for

is also dealt separately. Further a

have to be used for meeting the tree

biomass. For the sake of ease only one

site with much higher extent of

bioenergy needs, are awarded the

attribute, namely, steepness of slope

land availability is also likely to be

highest negative weight. The most

has been taken as attribute parameter

remote and thus this requirement is

preferred are the sites where no

and the higher the slope the higher is

also further likely to strengthen the

agriculture lands are diverted for

expected to be the benefits from tree

remoteness requirement.

raising biomass for energy.

planting and slope in excess of 75%

Next attribute is the landslide control

Another attribute is the wildlife

ofcourse, presumed that bio-energy

with severity of the landslides taken

conservation having one negative and

harvesting would be sustainable.

as the attribute parameter. With an

one positive attribute parameter. The

appropriate harvesting mechanism

negative attribute parameter operates

Biodiversity conservation is also an

undertaken in a sustainable manner

in sites where the keystone wildlife

important attribute with the extent of

tree growing for energy would play a

species requires a grassland habitat

restoration of the original habitat taken

positive role in landslide control and

as is the case in many high altitude

as attribute parameter. Highest rank is

hence the most landslide prone lands

Himalayan areas which are suitable

accorded when the biomass generation

are considered the best choices for

habitats for the rare Tibetan antelope.

is expected to lead to restoration of

biomass growing for energy.

This is because tree raising for biomass

more than 75% of the native fauna.

is awarded the highest ranking. It is,

could lead to reduction of grassland

Next attribute is the moisture

habitats. Highest negative ranking is

Discussion and Conclusions

conservation and the amount of rainfall

accorded to sites where raising trees

All the possible sites are than ranked

and number of rainy days are taken

for biomass would reduce more than

against each attribute parameter by

as twin parameters. The sites with the

a quarter of the community landscape

a well trained peer group along with

least rainfall occurring over the shortest

suitable for such a keystone species.

well informed local stakeholders.

span are considered most suitable as

The positive attribute parameter

The total of all attribute parameters

the trees raised for biomass generation

becomes operational if tree raising

for each site would give its score

on such lands would provide the

for biomass increases the habitat

and those with higher scores would

highest positive externality in so far as

of a keystone species for wildlife

constitute priority that would help

moisture conservation is concerned.

conservation and the highest ranking

optimize economic, ecological and

is awarded where the increase in

social benefits through appropriate site

Another attribute is the energy

habitat is more than 75% within the

locations.

security with the amount of energy

community landscape.

April-June 2011

17

B ioenerg y for Hima l a y as

Scoring Plan for Different Attributes
Attributes
Extent of
isolation
Population
Landslide
control
Moisture
Conservation

Positive Externalities/Supporting Factors

Attribute Parameter

Very Low

Low

Moderate

High

Very High

Distance from road

Upto 5 Km

5-10 km

10-15 km

15-20 km

20-25 km

No. of households
Severity

> 100
Very rare

50-100
rare

25-50
Sometimes

5-25
Frequent

<5
Very frequent

Amount of rainfall
No. of rainy days

>200 cm
>200

150-200 cm
150-200

100-150 cm
100-150

50-100 cm
50-100

Upto 50 cm
<50

Energy security Energy from other

sources

As per
requirement

Less than
required

Much less than

required

Food security

Much more than More than

required supply required
available from
other sources
land used for dedicated

plantation

Increase in habitat of

Slight increase

Upto 25%

25-50% increase

50-75% increase

More than 75%

Keystone species

habitat area

increase in the

in habitat area

in habitat area

increase in

habitat area

habitat area

Meets most of
As required
the requirement

More than
required

Much more
than required

Upto 25%

25-50%

50-75%

>75%

Upto 25% of
native species
are expected to
return to their
native habitat

25-50% of
native species
are expected to
return to their
native habitat

50-75 % of
native
species are
expected to
return to
their native
habitat

More than
75% of
native
species are
expected to
return to
their native
habitat

Wild life

If the keystone species

conservation

requires high altitude

meadows

Economic

Reduction in the

security

income from NTFP

Land

Land availability for

availability

biomass generation

Soil

Steepness

conservation
Biodiversity

Likely positive impact

Meets only a
part of the
requirement
Gentle

Slight impact

in bringing the native

floral species back

Now we turn our attention to the

important to clarify what is meant

But this definition can not be applied

question of sustainability. Any energy

by sustainability which has been

satisfactorily to all components of a

system has to be sustainable in order

variously defined. In natural resource

economic production system spread

to attract investments of the scale

management an acceptable definition

over a large area like provision of

required and this sustainability has

would be that a sustainably managed

bioenergy. One interesting definition

to be achieved in a very dynamic

renewable natural resource like forests

of sustainability that it is the capacity

moving frame of rapid advancements

enables maintenance of its ecological

to create and maintain adaptive

in technology and the equally rapid

integrity permitting the continuance

capabilities of a system meaning

changes in the physical environment

of evolutionary processes with least

thereby that a system is sustainable

and the societal understanding of

hindrance and leaves its capital

when it possess now, and through its

these changes and expectations of

stock of economic value intact across

life, the necessary infrastructure and

dealing with them. At this stage it is

generations.

material wealth to enable adaptation.

18

April-June 2011

B ioenerg y for Hima l a y as

a system of bioenergy based on the

Negative Externalities/Limiting Factors

Neutral

Very Low

Low

Moderate

current technology redundant and

High

Very High

threaten its economic sustainability.

On road

people depending upon NTFP. The

power plant selected by using this

The model accords high importance

to food security, conservation of wild
life and economic security of poor
most suitable site for biomass based
model are those with least negative
externalities and high values of

Not affected

Not affected

Not affected

Upto 5% of
agriculture
land used
for biomass
generation
Upto 5%

5-10% of
agriculture
land used
for biomass
generation
5-10%

10-20% of
agriculture
land used
for biomass
generation
10-20%

20-25% of
agriculture
land used
for biomass
generation
20-25%

>25% of
agriculture
land used
for biomass
generation
>25%

positive externalities.

ecrease in

decrease in

decrease in

decrease in

decrease in

Swati Chaliha and Atin Kumar Tyagi,

habitat area

habitat area

habitat area

habitat area

habitat area

Research Associates at the Institute of

Acknowledgement:
The authors wish to acknowledge the
contributions of Ms Deepti Tewari, Ms

Green Economy, New Delhi, in writing

this paper.

Not affected

Upto 5%
reduction in
the income
from NTFP

5-10%
reduction in
the income
from NTFP

10-20%
reduction in
the income
from NTFP

20-25%
reduction in
the income
from NTFP

>25%
reduction in
the income
from NTFP

References

Hill, M. J., R. Braaten, S. M. Veitch,

B. G. Lees, S. Sharma (2005), Multicriteria decision analysis in spatial
decision support: the ASSESS

analytic hierarchy process and

the role of quantitative methods
and spatially explicit analysis,
Environmental Modelling &
Software 20 (2005) 955976

Elghali L, R. Clift, P. Sinclair, C.

Panoutsoub and A. Bauen (2007),
Developing a sustainability
framework for the assessment
of bioenergy systems, ENERG

A sustainable system should thus

enhance the overall sustainability of

POLICY, 2007, Vol:35, Pages:6075-

be able to create, or at least access,

the biomass production system. But it

6083, ISSN:0301-4215

technological advancements and

may not able to ensure the economic

finances in order to deal with the

sustainability of the system over

changes that are necessitated by

any significant length of time since

the changing environment and the

technological advancements, and

altered societal expectations of dealing

consequential increase in financial

with them both in quantitative and

requirements, have not been integrated

qualitative terms.

in the analysis. For example, the

probable technological advancement

The balancing of attributes through

of shift to lingo-cellulosic fuels in

multi criteria analysis should help

the coming decades would render

Courtesy:
Dr Promode Kant, Director, Institute of
Green Economy, New Delhi, promode.
Email: kant@gmail.com
Dr Wu Shuirong, Associate Professor,
Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing,
Email: wushuirong@caf.ac.cn

April-June 2011

19

I ndigenous S o l utions

Self-Power
Generating
Chula
(Wood
Stove)

ven after 63 years of Indian

Hydro power plant

Our aim is to introduce a New

Independence, 44% of Indian

Nuclear power plant

Alternate Micro-Power Generation

villagers are still living in

Wind mill based power plant

Technology and to participate in

dark without electricity. Rural areas

Biogas based power plant

government efforts in electrifying

of India are characterized by very low

Solar power plant

18,000 odd villages. Bharadwaj

per capita energy consumption and in

E-technologies worked in that line to

most places commercial energy like

But even with these many power

bring an alternate source of generating

electricity is not available. Majority

generation options, it is not enough

power to bring at least a minimum

of rural households in India use

to light each and every house in the

number of lighting systems to the

only kerosene for lighting. Most of

remote areas of the country.

villages through Thermoelectric Power

the lamps are hurricane-type, which

Generation Technology. The idea is to

produce very poor light intensity of

Bringing electricity to these villages

replace the kerosene lamps used by

about 60-70 lumens. Similarly, rural

through grid system is not an easy task

villagers with brighter and safer LEDs.

areas in India use about 180 million

as some being located in very remote

tons of biomass fuel for cooking

areas and these sources depend on

The concept behind this idea is to

through inefficient and smoky stoves.

different input materials, seasons and

produce power from waste heat of-

climatic conditions.

Woodstoves (chulas)

LPG stoves

Records show 18,000 rural villages

in India lack electricity. This

The answer will be YES if you

Kerosene stoves

automatically puts much of rural India

consider and generate power through

Woodstoves with chimneys

at a disadvantage in comparison to

our new concept Thermoelectric

urban India.

Power Generation System another

source of energy unheard in India

Thermo Electric Local

Power Station

Presently available sources of power

which generates electricity in micro

According to American researchers

generation are:

level sufficient for lightings.

working in this field, thermoelectric

Thermal power plant

20

April-June 2011

technology has been in widespread

I ndigenous S o l utions

Charge control unit

Self power generating system

commercial and industrial use for

comparison one should look at the

is already producing heat as a by-

over 50 years, yet the true value of

kWh produced per day by each of the

product for another purpose. In these

thermoelectric has been seriously

two technologies.

types of applications the TEG is simply

underestimated resulting in almost

recovering a percentage of wasted heat

no advancements in technology.

When the costs of solar and

energy. There is no added fuel cost

Although this state of affairs is not

thermoelectric generators are

that can be assessed to the operation of

all that surprising considering the

compared based on the amount of

the TEG because these systems will be

energy costs, which have been very

electricity they actually produce

consuming this fuel whether a TEG is

low over the same time frame. Cheap

per day, it is found that TEGs cost

employed or not.

energy means there is no incentive to

far less per kWh than solar. The PV

use, improve or develop alternative

(photovoltaic) equivalent of 50 watt

It should also be noted that solar

methods of using or producing

TEG operating on a wood stove is

panels are almost useless in far

energy. However, as we all know

330 watt of solar or 1.2 kWh per day.

northern or southern latitudes due to

circumstances have changed and the

This means using just 3 of 50 watt

shorter days and the sun being low

days of cheap and abundant energy

TEGs can produce the same amount

on the horizon. In these situations,

are over and the race to invest in

of electricity in a day as 990 watts of

TEGs are often the first pick for

the development of new alternative

solar PV panels. This claim is not to

electrical power because they thrive

energy sources and improving energy

undermine the importance of PV as

in colder environments and can run

efficiency of the devices we use is on,

it is one of the greatest technological

continuously without maintenance

it becomes imperative to find solutions

developments of the last century and

for extended periods of time. Whereas

and advance this technology.

in time will probably provide for 50%

a gasoline or diesel generator would

or more of the worlds energy needs.

break down if it was not periodically

Another factor that has slowed

The only point to be made is that a fair

shut down for maintenance.

the emergence of thermoelectric

and accurate output rating should be

generators as a viable alternative for

used when comparing costs between

Thus, thermoelectric generators do

the production of electricity, is the

the two systems, because people will

have their limitations and are only

relatively low energy conversion

automatically make the comparison

practical in certain applications, but

efficiency, this is only about 5% to

on their own and falsely assume that

those applications are numerous

7%, whereas photovoltaic (solar

TEGs are more expensive than PV

and presently many of them are

panels) are now in excess of 20%.

based on wattage and that is the reason

virtually untapped. The market

Unfortunately, this low efficiency

to term it as photovoltaic equivalent.

potential is in the billions of dollars

rating also had a negative impact on

and still wide open.

further research and development of

This assessment is based on the

thermoelectric generators. However

indisputable fact that TEGs are capable

comparing TEGs to PV panels by the

of producing electricity at full power

Wood Stove Market

Overview

watt rating is a grossly inaccurate

24 hours a day and PV panels are not.

The value of thermoelectric generators

comparison and makes it appear that

In addition, in making this assessment

have long been recognized hence

TEGs are simply too expensive of an

we assume that the source of heat that

time and money have been invested

option. To be accurate and fair in the

TEG uses comes from a system that

into developing the market and

April-June 2011

21

I ndigenous S o l utions
rural India

advancing the technology. The cost

on temperature differential between

per watt reduction which is obviously

the two sides of a thermoelectric

Almost free power to tribal areas

a big factor in advancing the market

module, heat energy converts into

Almost free power to small

for thermoelectric power has been

electricity. This technology is very

attempted to be achieved.

useful in remote locations where

business vendors

power is required. Though solar power

The wood stove works on fuel efficient

It has been a very successful attempt,

is available but due to its limitations,

natural plant based fuel with the

which is evident in the scope of

it is unreliable or insufficient. The

following advantages:

market statistics. As the initiators to

advantages of this effect are as follows:

recognize the market potential for

TEGs designed to be used on wood

stoves and the first to market them it

generation, no transmission losses

Light weight and easy to carry

This technology works in any

High thermal efficiency due to fan

has been a promising project for future

location, any time in a day,

investment. The greatest marketing

irrespective of climatic conditions

linked to wood or other bio-fuel stove

plant capable of providing a home

owner with electrical power ranging

Burns any combustible material

like wood dust , sticks and pieces of
branches

Generation of power with no extra

cost- Almost FREE POWER

industries. Each wood stove in use in

the world is a potential home power

circulated air

unlike solar energy

potential for thermoelectric power is

Clean cooking with very little

smoke

Off-grid small/micro power

Wood fire smell completely

eliminated

Power generation and cooking

facility at the same time

Cooks food quickly

Power can be produced at any time

Clean cooking with very little

from 50 watts to 5,000 watts depending

in all climatic conditions unlike

on size of the stove.

solar power generators

smoke

Burns almost any natural plant

based fuel

Non-conventional energy

According to ATSDR there are 13

Green Technology, Eco-friendly

million wood stoves in USA. [1] There

A power of minimum of 27 W and

Conclusion

above is always available

This Micro Power Generation will

are more than 2 billion people in the

world who use wood burning stoves

be a revolution in Indian village

figure only includes people living

The Alternative MicroPower Generating Product

in developing nations where wood

The effectively designed self-power

Rajiv Gandhi said: "No house should

is their primary source of domestic

generating chula, which uses wood

remain unelectrified for which he

fuel. It does not include people in

as fuel and helps in almost complete

laid emphasis on promoting alternate

developed countries who use wood

burning of fuel with less smoke,

source of energy. 40 W power can

stoves as a primary (by choice) or

enabling cooking of a whole meal

be produced with one system per

secondary heating system. None of the

with it, keeping the air cleaner with

10 hours. If 10 lakh such systems

above data includes the booming pellet

fewer hydrocarbons as compared to

are installed, 4MW power can be

stove market. [3] It is also important

conventional wood stoves. The in-

generated in 10 hours. No distribution

to note that outdoor wood furnace is

built power generating unit generates

losses will be there as individual

becoming increasingly popular for

power while cooking the food by

houses will generate power required to

both heating and hot water due to

using the waste heat and stores the

light their own house.

rising fuel costs.

generated power by charging the

for both heat and cooking [2]. This

history by eliminating darkness from

houses. As our late Prime Minister

battery which is placed in a charge

The technology used in energy

control unit supplied along with the

production converts waste heat

unit. The stored energy can be used to

to generate power which can be

light the LEDs:

utilized for lighting LEDs to replace

needs

conventional kerosene lamps. This

works on well known phenomena
called the Seebeck Effect depending

22

April-June 2011

To provide electricity for basic daily

This new renewable energy can

provide power to remote villages in

Courtesy: Mr. Narasimhan

Managing Director,
Bharadwaj eTechnologies Pvt. Ltd.,
Email: info@bharadwaj-e.com

A l ternatives

Energy Crop Plantations for Biomass

Power Plants and its Future in India

ultivation of fast-growing

round employment for 4 million

Viable Programs

trees such as Vanashree (a

people.

These wastelands can be developed in

clonal selection of Melia

a variety of ways designed to meet the

dubia), bamboo and Paulownia that can

The viable, employment-oriented

needs of a growing Indian economy

serve as biomass fuel for establishing

program for production of biomass

- Biomass energy plantations for fast-

a national network of decentralized

fuels for electric power on India's

growing tree crops to generate electricity

rural power plants. These power

huge extent of degraded wastelands

on marginal waste land.

plants, ranging in size from 1-2 MWh,

is an established fact today. In

can generate thousands of megawatts

combination, these programs can

A large part of Indias population,

of power from renewable fuel sources

generate additional rural employment

mostly in rural areas, does not

in a cost-effective manner. This would

opportunities, while creating

have access to energy services. The

reduce India's dependence on imported

additional rural income, reducing

enhanced use of renewable energy in

fuel oils, stimulate private investment

India's dependence on imported

rural areas is closely linked to poverty

in the power sector, and generate

fuel, establishing a national network

reduction because greater access to

massive income and employment

of rural power plants, and reducing

energy services can:

opportunities for the rural poor.

environmental pollution.

Improve access to pumped drinking

water. Potable water can reduce

India needs to create an additional

Wasteland Development
Programs

100,000 MW of power generation

India has approximately 50 million

capacity. Establishment of 4 million

hectares of degraded wasteland that

and children on basic survival

hectares of energy plantation will be

lie outside the areas demarcated as

activities (gathering firewood,

sufficient and would provide year-

national forests. Development of these

In order to meet pent up demand,

wastelands offers enormous potential

India ranks sixth in

the world in terms
of energy demand,
accounting for 3.5
percent of the world
commercial energy
demand. But at 479
kg of oil equivalent,
the per capita energy
consumption is still
very low, and the
energy demand is
expected to grow
at the rate of 4.8
percent per annum.

hunger by allowing for cooked food

(95 percent of food needs cooking).

Reduce the time spent by women

fetching water, cooking, etc.).

Allow lighting which increases

both for economic development and

security and enables the night

sustainable employment generation.

time use of educational media and

communication at school and home.

Some of the challenges of wasteland

development are:

Reduce indoor pollution caused

Low soil fertility

by firewood use, together with a

Little irrigation potential

reduction in deforestation.

Not suitable for cash crops that

require fertile soil and continuous

Lack of access to affordable energy

water supply

services among the rural poor

High cost of investment in soil and

seriously affects their chances

irrigation development (cost per

of benefiting from economic

acre) beyond the reach of most rural

development and improved living

families

standards. Women, older people and

Improved technology

children suffer disproportionately

required to make lands productive

because of their relative dependence

is beyond the skill levels of poor

on traditional fuels and their exposure

families

to smoke from cooking, the main cause

Complex organization required

of respiratory diseases. Electricity

for land development, cultivation,

through transmission lines to many

production and marketing.

rural areas is unlikely to happen in

April-June 2011

23

A l ternatives
the near future, so access to modern
decentralized small-scale energy
technologies, particularly renewable
energy, are an important element for
effective poverty alleviation policies.
A program that develops energy from
raw material grown in rural areas will
go a long way in providing energy
security to the rural people. Increase
in nutrients to soil, decrease in soil
erosion and land degradation.

1 Year Old Melia dubia

Intercropping with Casuarinas

2 Year Old Melia dubia

disruptions in supplies which may

per acre per annum over a 10 year

In ethanol production from sugarcane,

result in physical hardships and

period (before replanting is required).

the by-products like vinasse (solid

economic burdens. The volatility of oil

Its high calorific value makes it a

residue left after distillation) and

prices poses great risks for the worlds

viable source of feedstock for biomass

filter cake contain valuable nutrients.

economic and political stability,

power plants.

Using these organic fertilizers instead

with unusually dramatic effects on

of chemical fertilizers reduces the

energy-importing developing nations.

need for chemicals, which could

Including renewable energy in the

Vanashree (A Clonal
Selection of Melia dubia)

be hazardous and avoids pollution

energy basket can help diversify

1. Forest tree originated from Southern

of ground water and rivers. The

energy supply increase energy security

International Crop Research Institute

and improved social well-being.

for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)

Asia
2. Widely cultivated in China,
Malaysia, East Southern Africa,

compares the nutrient content of filter

Biomass Plantations

cake obtained from various oilseeds in

Clean energy generation at economic

Argentina, Australia, SE Asia pacific

renewable energy manufacture with

levels, to a large extent, depends

Island, and Southern Europe

that of commonly used fertilizers like

on availability of sustainable fuel

Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) and

supplies on an uninterrupted basis

Urea and demonstrates that the filter

at reasonable prices. Clenergen

cake is an effective fertilizer. Also the

Corporation has been able to develop

cultivation of land for biomass, and

a workable model in this regard.

oilseed-bearing crops contributes to

Following are some of the energy

a decrease in soil erosion and land

crops that can provide biomass fuel:

degradation.

Energy Security

Melia Dubia
Melia dubia originates from the

Middle East, Bermuda, Brazil,

3. Grows well in dry areas with less

than 900 mm annual rainfall
4. In India, it grows in places up
to 1,800 m above MSL (Mean Sea
Level)
5. Used for construction, panel, ply
board, veneer industry, ornament,
packing cases, cigar and tea boxes,
match boxes, ceiling planks,
agricultural implements, pencil,

India ranks sixth in the world in terms

Meliaceae family and is an indigenous

of energy demand, accounting for

species of tree to India, South East

3.5 percent of the world commercial

Asia and Australia, where it has been

energy demand. But at 479 kg of oil

cultivated as a source of firewood.

equivalent, the per capita energy

The tree can be cultivated in all types

consumption is still very low, and

of soil and requiring a low supply of

8. Planted as a fuel wood species

the energy demand is expected to

water on a daily basis. Melia dubia

9. Calorific value of wood is 5,043-

grow at the rate of 4.8 percent per

has the unique feature of growing to

5,176 kcal/kg and hence very

annum. Indias domestic production

40 feet within 2 years from planting

suitable for energy plantation

of crude oil currently satisfies only

and can be mechanically pruned and

about 25 percent of this consumption.

harvested. As an energy crop, Melia

Though the potential of Vanashree as

Dependence on imported fuels leaves

dubia has the potential of yielding in

a source of green energy has been well

many countries vulnerable to possible

excess 40 tons of biomass on average

known, it has not been exploited fully.

24

April-June 2011

splints, etc
6. In Sri Lanka, timber is used for the
out riggers of the boats
7. In Java and Sumatra used for the
interiors of houses

A l ternatives

12 week old Beema bamboosaplings

2 year old Beema bamboo plantation

4 year old Beema bamboo

Considering the world-wide awareness

spacing in field, irrigation, pruning

bamboo can be mechanically harvested

of the urgent need to develop power

technique, biofertilizers, biocontrol of

and produce on average, up to 65 tons

with least harm to atmosphere by way

diseases etc for large scale cultivation of

per acre per annum, with a lifespan of

of green house gases production, this

this forest tree.

up to 50 years.

a viable alternative. It is propagated

Bamboo

Marjestica

by self sown seedlings in nature. For

The species of bamboo selected for

Marjestica is a species of tree that

converting it into a cultivated crop to

energy crops is from the Bambusa

has resulted from applying the Tree

supply feedstock of high yield and

Balcooa family of grasses. After 10

Adaption Process (polyploidisation)

desired quality to the power plant, it

years of breeding and fertilization

from the mother stock of Paulownia,

is necessary to develop suitable agro

programs, this species of bamboo is

thus increasing its annual growth rate

techniques. For making the cultivation

now cultivated from tissue culture

by up to 28-40%. Clenergen has signed

of this forest tree profitable to

and then micro propagated. As a

an exclusive license to the polyploidy

farmers and industry, BM2BP GPI has

result, each tissue culture sapling

technology for the cultivation of the

conducted research work on:

is identical, asexual, non evasive,

species in India and Sri Lanka. The

Germplasm collection and

non flowering and has a density of 5

tree will grow to 28 feet high within

evaluation

times greater than any other species

the first year from planting and can be

Production of Polyploids and tissue

of bamboo. It can be cultivated in all

mechanically pruned and harvested

culture plants

types of soil where there is sufficient

on an annual basis. Marjestica has a

Agro techniques for maximum

water availability or where climatic

low water requirement and is ideally

biomass production with high

conditions such as in the equatorial

suited as an energy crop as it develops

calorific value

regions offer a natural environment for

multiple stems after the first harvest.

cultivation. Bamboo has the potential

Marjestica has the potential of yielding

Experiments have been conducted by a

as an energy crop of yielding 20 tons

in excess of 40 tons on average per

team of agricultural experts both in the

per acre in a year and 35 tons per

acre per annum over an 8 year period

laboratory as well as field in scientifically

acre in three years. By fourth year the

before replanting. Its low moisture

forest tree has come to the limelight as

laid out trials for the first time in India.

These trials have given agro techniques
easy for field adaptation. The agro
techniques include seed germination
method, rooting of stem cuttings,

Beema bamboo
Beema bamboo tissue
tissue cultured bottles culture laboratory

4 week old Marjestica sapling

1 year old Marjestica plant

2 year old Marjestica tree

April-June 2011

25

A l ternatives
content results in a highly efficient

source of the livelihood of 45 million

through investments in any sector

renewable biomass feedstock for

farmers and their dependants,

other than the Defence related

gasification power plants.

comprising 7.5 percent of the rural

products for exports. The policy also

population. Another half a million

requires the obligor to more or less

people are employed as skilled or semi-

concurrently complete their obligation

skilled labour in sugarcane cultivation.

along the supply period. The policy

Increased Employment
A combination of these programs can
be simultaneously launched in virtually

could be suitably amended to include

all parts of the country. All of the

The first phase of the National

investments in biomass based power

programs would create large numbers

Renewable Energy Mission

generation eligible to get credits under

of jobs for landless rural families.

demonstration project will generate

the program. This would help the

It is estimated that two hectares of

employment of 167.6 million person

Defence in following way:

cultivated waste land can generate year-

days in plantation by 2012. On a

round employment for 2 persons.

sustained basis, the program will

Utilization of surplus land with

Ministry of Defence (MOD)

create 36.8 million person days in seed

No encroachment

At the beginning of the new

collection and 3,680 person years for

Smaller units to be set up in far

millennium, 260 million people

running the seed collection planting,

in India did not have access to a

harvesting and handling of biomass

consumption basket which defines

and oil-extraction centers.

the poverty line. India is home to 22

flung areas

Ensuring uninterrupted power to

Defense establishments

Supply of power to production

percent of the worlds poor. A program

Clean Energy Generation

that generates employment is therefore

The model suggested a loss for

particularly welcome.

production of electricity by using

for putting up large number of

units either directly or through grid

Offset obligations could be utilized

gasification and steam combustion

units in a short time which will

The renewable energy sector has

technologies wherein the biomass in

make up for the delay in funds

the potential to serve as a source

the form of wood pallets is used in

of substantial employment. The

power plant.

investment in the ethanol industry

from the budget

If offset banking is allowed and

suppliers give credits on capital

220,000 per job in the petroleum field.

Financing of Plantations
and Setting up of Small (1-2
MWh Power Plants)

In India, the sugar industry, which is

The current policy of Government of

the backbone of ethanol production,

India (Defence offset) does not permit

is the biggest agro-industry in the

utilizing the obligation of Defence

Cultivation of fast-growing trees such

country. The sugar industry is the

suppliers in fulfilling their requirement

as Vanashree, bamboo and Paulownia can

per job created is US$ 11,000, which

is significantly lesser than the US$

investments and power generated

there on, obligor would be keen to
do such investments even before any
contracts are signed under DOFA.

serve as biomass fuel for establishing

a national network of decentralized
rural power plants. Biomass energy
and agriculture demand an ecological
architecture with its regenerative
potential as an energy source. Hence,
Wood supply

Wood storage

Wood chipping

the prudent usage of the crop would

get an adequate amount of plants
growing again providing sustenance
and energy.

Chip burning

26

April-June 2011

Chip transport

Chip storage

Courtesy: Dr. Arvind Pandalai

Honorary Chairman
Clenergen India Pvt. Ltd.
Email: apandalai@gmail.com

P o l ic y perspective

Thailands Biomass Policy A View from

Indian Policy Perspective

iomass is one of the most

crisis. The biomass strategy focused

of biomass as fuel for generating

important sources of renewable

on improving efficiency of traditional

electricity through SPPs (Small Power

energy in India and Thailand.

technologies, enhancing supply of

Producers) and VSPPs (Very Small

Energy from biomass in rural areas

biomass by introducing modern

Power Producers) program. Under

through direct combustion has

biomass technologies to provide

which rice husk and rice husk mixed

been the most important process in

reliable energy services at competitive

with other biomass-based power

converting biomass to other useful

prices and establishing institutional

generation plants increased to 35

forms of energy. In Thailand, the

support. The DNES, established in

plants in 2006 with total capacity of

industries that rely on biomass as an

1982, implemented the improved

about 574 MW [3]. The amount of

energy source are brick production,

cook stoves program with moderate

rice husk which is used as fuel for

tobacco, and lime production,

success. Programs such as fuel

generating electricity is approximately

smoking of rubber sheet and fish mill

wood plantation and biomass based

6 million tons per year (9,800 tons

production. Wood fuels, including

electricity generation have begun

per MW per year). At the beginning

charcoal, are the most prominent

recently. There is a growing experience

of policy enforcement, rice husk

biomass energy sources. Substantial

of managing biomass projects. In 1992,

was among the first choices due to

uses of biomass energy in developing

up gradation of DNES to MNES has

its low price, small size, and low

countries continue to be in rural and

accorded a higher status to renewable

moisture, compared to palm oil

traditional sectors of the economy.

energy technology programs. Ministry

residue. Moreover, rice-husk ash has

Most biomass is not traded, but

of Non-Conventional Energy Sources

good quality and it can be sold to

is homegrown or collected by

(MNES) was renamed as Ministry

material industries if its combustion

households.

of New and Renewable Energy

is well controlled. Effect of this policy

(MNRE) in 2006. The role of new and

appeared in rice-husk collection

Rice farming is the largest sector of

renewable energy has been assuming

process. In the past, price of rice husk

agriculture in Thailand. Rice husk is a

increasing significance in recent

was reported to be in the range of

by-product of paddy mill. In Thailand,

times with the growing concern for

50 - 150 baht per ton (US$1.25-3.75

rice husk contributes about 4.6 million

the countrys energy security. New

per ton) but nowadays, price in some

tons a year, 23% of the total rice

policies aim to promote modernization

areas have jumped suddenly and

production. Instead of being dumped

and commercialization of biomass

has reached around 1,000 baht per

as waste, rice husk has been used as

production, combustion, densification,

ton (US$25 per ton).The high price of

fertilizer, chicken and duck farms

and electricity generation. A long term

rice husk occurred in some areas due

litter, fuel source for manufacturing

techno-economic analysis using the

to limitation of amount of rice husk.

processes such as brick and charcoal

MARKAL model shows that biomass

Investigation of economic viability

making. The main problem for rice

electricity technologies have significant

shows that current price is maximum

mill owners is to decide on how

potential to penetrate Indian market

value at which rice-husk-based power

to utilize the full potential of total

under a fair competition with fossil

generation plant can get profit by

amount of rice husk available to them.

technologies. Under an optimal

selling electric power to the grid. On

greenhouse gas mitigation regime,

the other hand rice husk in some area

Biomass is a principle energy source

biomass electricity penetration can

is not used effectively has low price

and contributes a third of India's

reach 35 gigawatt in 2035.

and is often disposed. The price of

energy. Technologies like biogas and

rice husk depends on its location of

since half a century. Policy makers

Evolution and Growth of

Biomass Policy in Thailand

perceived biomass as an energy

The Thai government has enforced

Since the Thai government has a

alternative that could alleviate energy

an energy policy to promote use

policy that encourages private sector

improved cook-stoves exist in India

production.

April-June 2011

27

P o l ic y perspective
to an even stronger role in electricity

later, in 1970s, as a part of rural

policies help to internalize its multiple

supply industry, SPPs and VSPPs

energy policies. To meet increasing

social benefits and social costs of

programs were proposed by 1992

oil import burden and to meet the

conventional fuels. The new policy

and 2000 respectively. In July 2006,

challenge posed by deepening

perspective has resulted in enhanced

74 SPPs which use biomass energy

rural energy crisis, programs for

support to the sugarcane bagasse

as fuel to generate electricity have

renewable energy technologies (RETs)

based co-generation, improved

received notification of acceptance

were developed in 1970s. Biomass,

biomass combustion technologies,

with total capacity of about 1,295 MW

being a local, widely accessible and

biomass densification, charcoal

and 44 SPPs have connected to the grid

renewable resource, was potentially

making and decentralized electricity

with total capacity of about 839 MW

the most suitable to alleviate both

generation.

and total sale of about 352 MW. Rice

macro and micro concerns. Biomass

husk and rice husk mixed with other

policies followed a multi-pronged

Future Challenges

biomass based power generation plant,

strategy: i) improving efficiency of

Development of biomass technologies

33 SPPs have received notification of

traditional biomass use (e.g. improved

in India and Thailand are classic

acceptance with total capacity of about

cook-stove program), ii)improving

reflections of a developing country.

571 MW and 12 SPPs have connected

supply of biomass (e.g. social

Thailand and India are agricultural

to the grid with total capacity about

forestry, wasteland development), iii)

countries with an abundance of

229 MW and total sale of about 163

technologies for improving quality of

biomass production; hence the price

MW [3]. For VSPPs [6], two VSPPs

biomass use (e.g. biogas, improved

of biomass is still low. There exist

have connected to the grid with total

cook-stoves), iv) introduction of

an emerging pool of technological

capacity of 2.1 MW and total sale 1.85

biomass based technologies (wood

knowledge, experience and

MW.

gasifiers for irrigation, biomass

commercial acceptance of modern

electricity generation) to deliver

biomass technologies in the niche

According to the residue potential

services provided by conventional

markets such as in wood and agro-

in 2001 from 10 main agriculture

energy sources, and v) establishing

processing industries where biomass

products assessment, 22 million tons

institutional support for program

materials are cheaply and readily

out of 66 million tons of agricultural

formulation and implementation [10].

available as byproducts. Whereas

the vast traditional sector in India

residues were used as fuel and small

amount for other purposes. In 1999 the

Since early 1990s, there has been a

indicates the potential for improved

Energy Conservation Promotion Fund

noticeable policy shift. Under market

use of biomass energy, emerging

Committee (ENCON Fund Committee)

oriented economic reform policies

commercial technologies demonstrate

authorized the National Energy Policy

pursued by the Government of

the promise to tap this potential. To

Office (NEPO) to manage an amount

India, market forces are now allowed

make this happen there are many

of 2,060 million baht to subsidize SPPs

a greater role. The shift in policy

support programs from government

using renewable energy. To increase

approach is characterized by: i) higher

and other international funds, to ease

renewable energy ratio from 0.5 - 8%

emphasis on market instruments

the difficulty to access financing.

new power plant must generate power

compared to regulatory controls, ii)

from renewable energy 3 - 5% of total

reorientation from technology push to

As developing country drawbacks,

capacity. This should lead to expand

market pull, and iii) enhanced role of

many barriers hinder technological

opportunities and markets for biomass

private sector. The new policies signify

change in vast traditional sectors.

power production in Thailand.

a shift in policy perspective towards

Predominant use of biomass still

biomass. The old perspective viewed

continues to be in rural household

biomass as a non-commercial rural

and traditional industry sectors. It

resource which has to be pushed by

was increasingly realized that failures

India has a long history of energy

the government programs. The new

of biomass programs resulted from

planning and policy interventions. The

perspective considers biomass as a

deficiencies in policy perspective.

programs for promoting biogas and

clean competitive energy resource

First, biomass was viewed solely as

improved cook-stoves began in 1940s.

which will be pulled commercially

a traditional fuel for meeting rural

National biomass policy originated

by energy users if the government

energy needs. Second, biomass policies

Specific Policy Interventions

in India

28

April-June 2011

P o l ic y perspective
primarily focused on supply-side

thermal conversion. The conversion

(final report), Black & Veatch

push. On supply side, since most

efficiency in utilizing biomass as an

(Thailand), November 2000.

biomass are home grown or gathered

energy source is generally low. At

by households for own needs, the

present, technologies that utilized

market for biomass energy needs to be

biomass are ranked from local made

developed, both in ensuring economic

to imported technology and many

and sustainable production as well as

biomass technologies especially in

in promoting efficient use. Under the

rural use and some factories are

circumstance, organized technological

classified to be quite an old technology

Thailand 2004, Energy Policy and

intervention in biomass production is

with low efficiency. So there are

Planning Office (EPPO), Ministry

also required.

enormous rooms for promoting an

efficient and most promising biomass

[3]

Status of SPPs, Electric

Generation Authority of Thailand
(EGAT) July 2006, www.egat.com

[4] Department of Industrial Works,

www.diw.go.th/diw/query.asp
[5] Current energy situation in

of Energy, (p.34)
[6] Status of VSPPs, Energy Policy

The most vital issue for biomass

technology, especially biomass

and Planning Office (EPPO),

energy in India and Thailand is the

gasification technology to replace the

April 2006,www.eppo.go.th/

development of market for energy

old one.

services. Two possible ways of doing

index-T.html
[7] http://www.e2analytics.com

this would be: i) providing reliable

The future prospects of biomass

and enhanced biomass supply, and ii)

technologies depend considerably

Change, Wood Energy News,

reliable energy services with biomass

on removing existing barriers. The

FAO/RWEDP, P.R. Shukla, Vol.11,

technologies at competitive cost.

key issue before the Indian policy

No.4, Bangkok, 1996.

The main objectives of the policy

makers is to develop the market for

of Thailand on power purchase

biomass energy services by ensuring

for Greenhouse Gas Mitigation

from SPPs are to promote the use

reliable and enhanced biomass supply,

in India AMBIO, P.R. Shukla, Vol.

of indigenous by-product energy

removing tariff distortions favoring

XXV, No. 4, June, 240-248, 1996.

sources and non-conventional energy

fossil fuels and producing energy

for power generation, e.g. wind,

services reliably with modern biomass

and Prospects, P.R. Shukla, Paper

solar, geothermal, waste and waste

technologies at competitive cost.

presented at the workshop on

agriculture, and economical and

Biomass power is a major contributor

Biomass Energy: Key Issues and

efficient use of energy, to encourage

to domestic and international energy

Priority Needs Organized by

participation of private sectors in

needs while providing substantial

International Energy Agency

power generation by allowing them

environmental benefits. It is one

to generate and sell electricity to

essential source of energy for

the power utilities, and to promote

production particularly for saving the

Environmentally Sound

competition in the power-generation

environment.

Technology for Decentralized

sector by authorizing private power

producers to supply electricity directly

References

to industries and nearby residential

[1] Effect of Energy Policy on

[8] Wood Energy and Global Climate

[9] The Modelling of Policy Options

[10] Biomass Energy in India: Policies

(IEA) Paris.
[11] Biomass Gasification:

Power Generation: A Case Study

from India, N.H.Ravindranath,
Biomass and Bioenergy, 1993.

customers. Consumers are, therefore,

Biomass-based Power Generation

given more options on which

in Thailand, Surin Ngaemngam

Phongjaroon Srisovanna, Chief

electricity is traded.

and Tetsuo Tezuka , Graduate

Country Coordinator COGEN

[12] Thailands Biomass Energy,

School of Energy Science, Kyoto

3 Energy Conservation Center

However, there are certain challenges

University, Japan, The 2nd

of Thailand, Electricity Supply

that need to be focused upon like high

Joint International Conference

Industry in Transition: Issues and

investment cost for modern biomass

on Sustainable Energy and

Prospect for Asia 14-16 January

technologies. Due to inconvenience

Environment (SEE 2006) 21-23

2004.

caused by power plant set-up people

November 2006.

dont want any new power plant in

[2] Thailand biomass-based power

their area. There is a high requirement

generation and cogeneration

of research personnel in the area of

within small rural industries

Courtesy: WII Editorial Team

April-June 2011

29

fie l d e x perience

Economic Feasibility and Socio-economic

Impacts of Four Bio-saline Agro-forestry
Systems in Haryana, India
More than 8
million hectares
of previously
productive land in
India is now salt
affected. These huge
tracts of land can
potentially be used
to grow fast-growing
salt-tolerant tree
species that can be
used for a variety
of energy and other
products.
30

April-June 2011

he worldwide demand of

e.g., solar power, wind energy, tidal

energy is expected to rise

energy and energy from biomass

dramatically in the near

sources.

future. Emerging nations such as

India and China require more and

Biomass for energy production can

more energy, while the demand in

be produced in the form of dedicated

developed nations is still on the rise.

energy plantations or waste

In inverse proportion, the supply

biomass (from maintaining forest,

and price of traditional forms of

roadsides, parks and agricultural

energy (coal, oil and natural gas)

waste). This article focuses on the use

is expected to decline as a result of

of plantations to produce biomass

steady depletion. Environmental

energy products. This integration

factors also have an increasingly

of trees, with intercropping, in the

important role in shaping our future

agricultural system is called agro-

energy demands. The world requires

forestry. However, if the demand

cleaner and more sustainable energy

for renewable energy from biomass

sources to avoid pollution, depletion,

sources is to be met, large plots of

over exploitation and climate change.

agricultural land will have to be

Many alternative sources of energy

converted to agro-forestry systems.

are being proposed and evaluated,

This can potentially create a food

fie l d e x perience
for fuel dilemma, since less land

energy and processing) to produce a

agro-forestry system present, as

is available for agricultural food

unit of output product (ton or kWh).

well as the annual and total biomass

production.

These data are used for the calculation

yields. Prior to plantations, all land

of the Net Present Value (NPV) and

was highly alkaline in nature and

One potential solution to avoid this

cost of production (COP) of the

no traditional agriculture could be

problem is the establishment of

produced products.

performed (Figure 2 on next page).

agro-forestry systems on land that is

The land was essentially a wasteland

unsuitable for agricultural production,

The plantations were established as

and only scarce vegetation such

such as salt-affected soils. Worldwide,

part of the Haryana Social Forestry

as grasses and some Acacia nilotica

933 million hectares of land are

Project. Through this program, the

were present. The land was used for

badly degraded by salts and cannot

state government is encouraging

fuelwood collection and grazing of

be productively used for traditional

the establishment of agro-forestry

livestock. Table 1 (next page) gives a

agriculture. More than 8 million

plantations on salt-affected Panchayat

quick overview of the specifics of each

hectares of previously productive land

lands. The initial cost of plantation

plantation that was established in

in India is now salt affected. These

establishment and maintenance in

each individual village. Figure 3 (next

huge tracts of land can potentially be

the first three years is financed by the

page) shows an example of a bio-

used to grow fast-growing salt-tolerant

government. The benefits of selling

saline plantation at the Central Soil

tree species that can be used for a

the trees or using the trees in the

Salinity Institute (CSSRI) in Karnal.

variety of energy and other products.

community are allocated entirely to

the Panchayat. This can potentially

Each output product requires a

This study reviewed in this article has

make agro-forestry very lucrative

different amount of processing before

focused on the economic feasibility

for the local communities. The case

the finished product can be used or

and socio-economic effects of working

studies plantations were all established

sold to the market. In addition to

bio-saline agro-forestry systems in

under this project. In Haryana, a

surveying the villages for the biomass

Haryana, India. The socio-economic

survey was conducted in four villages

production phase, several processing

effects constitute of potential benefits

(Figure 1) to determine the inputs

facilities were visited with the aim to

to the farmers and other actors that

needed to maintain and harvest the

establish the inputs and outputs to get

may come from the use of agroforestry systems. These benefits

include, for example, extra income,
higher yields, higher employment and
more divers products from the land
(fuel wood, fodder etc.). In line with
this stands the economic feasibility
of these systems, if the system
is not viable it will not have any
benefit to the farmers and users and
implementation of the system will not
be successful.
The aim of the study was to construct
and analyze three value chains that
are derived from the bio-saline agroforestry plantations. Every value chain
begins with the biomass production
phase and has three different output
products. These are fuelwood, timber,
and charcoal. The analysis includes all
inputs (costs, labour, transportation,

Figure 1: Case study locations in the state of Haryana. (source: Stille et al, 2011)

April-June 2011

31

fie l d e x perience
a complete picture of all the costs and

overall economic feasibility of the five

from 318 to 1,441 /ha. In most cases

other inputs required to manufacture

product chains is very positive.

the NPVs of subsidized plantations are

an unit of finished product.

Figure 5 (next page) shows a cost/

well above the NPVs of the baseline

Figure 4 shows an example of a

benefit breakdown of the plantations

land use. However, without subsidies

charcoal manufacturer.

and clearly shows higher benefits

only the NPV of the (agro-)forestry

compared to the costs.

When looking at the final results of
this study, it can be concluded that the

The results show that the NPV ranges

Figure 2: Salt-affected land prior to plantation (Gudha)

Figure 3. Biosaline plantation of Prosopis juliflora at CSSRI, Karnal

The results show

that the NPV ranges
from 318 to 1,441 /
ha. In most cases the
NPVs of subsidized
plantations are well
above the NPVs of
the baseline land use.
However, without
subsidies only the
NPV of the (agro-)
forestry plantation in
Gudha is higher than
of the baseline
land use.

Figure 4. Charcoal manufacturer near Chandigargh

Table 1. Overview of case study plantations (source: Stille et al, 2011)

Tree species
Plantation period (yr)
Intercrop species
Plantation size (ha)
Tree density (number/ha)

32

April-June 2011

Gudha

Kohand

Nain

Sutana

Acacia nilotica (50%) and

Eucalyptus tereticornis (50%),

Acacia nilotica

Prosopis juliflora

Prosopis juliflora

16

14

15

15

Leptochloa fusca

Native grasses

14

56

60

400

200

1,100

1,100

fie l d e x perience
profits from the

2000

sale of fodder and

fuelwood.

1500

NPV (/ha)

1000
500

Furthermore, the

Benefits annual harvest

study found that

Benefits fodder

(agro-)forestry

Agro-chemicals/fertilizers
Intercrop establishment

Costs final harvest

Plantation maintenance

-1000

Plantation establishment
Other costs
Gudha

Kohand

Nain

plantations can
help regenerate
alkaline soils for
conventional

Costs annual harvest

-500

-1500

Benefits final harvest

rice and wheat

production. Soil
regeneration can
increase the NPV
strongly but the

Sutana

actual increase
depends on the

Figure 5. Cost/benefit breakdown of the four case study plantations (source: Stille et al, 2011)

method used to

plantation in Gudha is higher than of

Leptochloa fusca. In Nain and Sutana

quantify the value of soil regeneration.

the baseline land use. The highest NPV

Prosopis juliflora trees were planted at

The results also indicate that the

is observed in Gudha, which is due

a higher density compared to Gudha

production of fuelwood, timber and

to the high economic value of the tree

and Kohand, which resulted in a

charcoal from wood from (agro-)

species Acacia nilotica and Eucalyptus

higher productivity, but also higher

forestry plantations on salt-affected

tereticornis and the fodder crop

establishment and maintenance costs.

soils is competitive with existing

The net result in these cases is a NPV

production chains. The results of this

lower than at Gudha.

study show the need and benefits of

Furthermore, the
study found that
(agro-)forestry
plantations can
help regenerate
alkaline soils for
conventional
rice and wheat
production. Soil
regeneration can
increase the NPV
strongly but the
actual increase
depends on the
method used to
quantify the value of
soil regeneration.

optimizing the economic performance

The cost of production is calculated

of (agro-)forestry plantations as part

and compared to the market prices

of current and future policies by, for

of fuelwood, timber and charcoal.

example, subsidizing (parts of the)

Despite the low market value of

establishment costs and creating a

Prosopis juliflora the COP of the

mechanism by which soil regeneration

fuelwood and charcoal chains of Nain

is rewarded.

and Sutana are well below current

market prices. The production of

Further details about this study can be

fuelwood and charcoal is especially

found at the following source:

attractive in the case of Gudha and

Kohand, mainly because of the low

Stille, L., Smeets, E., Wicke, B., Singh,

feedstock costs.

R.K., Singh, G., accepted 2011. The

economic performance of four (agro-)

The COP of timber in Kohand, Nain

forestry systems on sodic soils in

and Sutana are higher than the

Haryana, India. Energy for Sustainable

market prices, but lower in Gudha.

Development.

It is important to note that the costs

of timber would be much lower (and
well below market prices), when the
COP would be based on the total
costs of the plantation, minus the

Courtesy: Leon Christian Stille,

Project Engineer Sustainable Energy,
USG Innotiv
Email: leonmailz@gmail.com

April-June 2011

33

C ase S tud y

Case Study: Sweet Side of the Power

Sector in Mauritius

or the uninitiated the Republic

to produce high pressure steam to

electricity generation using bagasse,

of Mauritius is an island nation

generate electricity, instead of just

the biomass residue from sugar

off the southeast coast of the

low pressure steam for the sugar

plantations. The option to use bagasse

African continent in the southwest

extraction process. After producing

to generate and sell electricity to the

Indian Ocean, about 900 kilometres

electricity, the resulting low pressure

national grid made independent

(560 mi) east of Madagascar. In

steam was used as process heat for

power production a potentially viable

addition to the island of Mauritius,

the sugar crystallization process. This

business operation in Mauritius.

the Republic includes the islands of

was an added benefit for the sugar

Cargados Carajos, Rodrigues and the

plantations because they enjoyed

Agalega Islands.

preferential markets in Europe where

Power generation trends in

Mauritius

sugar was sold at a regulated price.

In the first few decades after

independence, the fuel input for power

The country provides a good example

of commercially sustainable energy

However, production of sugar did not

generation in Mauritius was almost

generation from sugarcane bagasse

remain a sweet success story for the

entirely imported fuel oil. This led to

which is the fibrous residue obtained

island nation due to the fluctuation of

huge import bills and devaluation of

after the extraction of juice from

sugar export prices between the 1970s

the Mauritian currency. The bagasse

sugarcane. Table 1 shows the increase

and 1980s along with the increasing

energy development program (BEDP)

in the contribution of electricity

size and output of sugar plantations

initiated by the government in 1991

generated using bagasse.

which severely threatened the

aimed to arrest this.

profitability of operations.
Initially in Mauritius, all electricity

Mauritius has no known fossil fuel

reserves and till some decades ago

To counter the effects of decreasing

generation was done by Central

it was almost entirely reliant on

share in preferential markets, increasing

Electricity Board (CEB). However,

fossil fuel imports for its energy

export duties and cyclones and droughts

this scenario changed considerably

requirements from other countries.

on production, the Sugar Action Plan

with the emergence of Independent

Even though production of electricity

of 1985 was implemented. The plan

Industrial Producers (IIPs) and the

on a large scale from biomass (bagasse)

focused on export duty relief, improving

BEDP. Mauritius produces between

started in the late 1950s, the increase

technology and practices, restructuring

4 to 5 million tons of sugar annually

in energy demand was substantial over

and pertinent to this discussion, utilizing

and more than one thirds of that

successive decades.

sugar plantations for producing energy.

quantity is available as bagasse.

This was followed by a Sugar Industry

However, the bagasse is resold as an

Efficiency Act of 1988 that aimed to make

input fuel to ensure profitability of

the sugar industry more efficient and

sugar plantations. CEB now purchases

Sugarcane plantations were

promote agricultural diversity along

power from the IIPs, sometimes at

introduced on the island as early

with diversification within sugar.

much higher tariffs, and resells them

The Evolution of the Sugar

Industry in Mauritius
as the 17th century by the Dutch.

to the consumers at more reasonable

The 1950s was the time when sugar

The implementation of these acts

rates. In 2010, IIPs produced 59.1% of

factories began utilizing bagasse

opened avenues for investment in

the total electricity.

Table 1 Electricity produced from Bagasse in Mauritius between 1996-2005

Year

1996

Electricity (GWh)

119.0

1997
124.6

1998
194.3

1999
188.5

2000
278.5

2001
296.5

2002
299.1

2003
296.1

2004
317.9

2005
301.6

(Outline Energy Policy 2007-2025, Government of Mauritius)

The electricity generation from bagasse was 366.4 GWh in 2008 and 353.6 GWh in 2009.

(Mauritius Water-Energy Statistics 2010, Central Statistics Office, Government of Mauritius)

34

April-June 2011

C ase S tud y
The IIPs are either firm or continuous
power producers. Both use bagasse

2500

season, however, firm producers

2000

generated electricity all year round

1750

GWh

as the input fuel during the crop

2250

by using coal when bagasse is

cane with higher biomass

content and any other
technology that would

1500

be commercialized so as
to increase the amount of

1000

IIPs in Mauritius.

750

energy generated from

500

bagasse.

250

The BEDP program coupled with the

shift to more easily available imported

Encourage the use of

new varieties of sugar

Diesel & Fuel oil

Bagasse
Coal
Kerosene
Hydro

1250

unavailable. Table 2 shows names of

coal has been successful and this can

2750

2000

2001

2002

2003 2004

2005

2006

2007 2008

Electricity production by source of energy, 2000 - 2009

2009

Mauritius is committed
to progressing towards a
sustainable energy pathway.

be gauged by studying the statistics for

Use bagasse more efficiently with a

The country has judiciously utilized

e.g. the share of fuel oil for generating

view to increasing the contribution

an abundant natural resource. In terms

electricity reduced by nearly 20% (from

of bagasse based electricity in the

of environmental benefit, one of the

58% to 35%) over a span of 10 years

medium-term from the present

positive aspects of using bagasse is

from 1994 to 2003. During this period,

level of 350 GWh to 600 GWh

its low ash content as compared to

annually.

coal. However, Mauritius needs to

Additional electricity from the

be mindful of the fact that excessive

2010, the share of coal is the largest

same amount of bagasse currently

sugarcane plantation could be harmful

at about 60% with bagasse and fuel

available from the 5 millions tons

to soil fertility and may have negative

contributing nearly the same share.

of cane can be generated by the

impacts on yield and soil. Nonetheless,

sugar industry through investment

other countries should take inspiration

in power plants operating at higher

from this island nation and diversify

pressure.

their energy mix.

electricity production by source. For

the use of coal to generate electricity

experienced an increase of 24%. As of

Looking ahead
In October 2009, the government
of Mauritius elaborated the Long

Benefits from the use of additional

Term Energy Strategy and Action

bagasse be reaped by all

Plan. The plan lays emphasis on the

stakeholders of the sugar industry

References and Further

Reading

development of renewable energy,

to IPPs. Accruals from CERs to be

fossil fuel and the promotion of energy

Mauritius

passed on to the CEB.

reducing dependence on imported

Maximize the amount of energy

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/

Outline Energy Policy 2007-2025,

efficiency. This is in line with the

generated from available bagasse,

Governments objective to promote

while minimizing the use of coal.

Government of Mauritius

sustainable development in the context

Within this framework, achieve

Statistics 2009, Central Statistics

of the Maurice Ile Durable vision.

the target of 600 GWh of electricity

Organization, Government of

Mauritius

from bagasse in medium term.

Specifically for bagasse energy, the

Promote research and development

Digest of Energy and Water

Hassen, Sayed S.Z. and Bhurtan,

Master Plan for Renewable Energy

in the sector to develop new

C., Trends in the Power Sector in

has certain clear objectives. These

varieties of sugar cane with higher

Mauritius, Department of Electrical

objectives are enumerated below:

biomass production.

and Electronic Engineering,

University of Mauritius

Table 2: IIPs in Mauritius

Firm Producers

Continuous Producers

F.U.E.L.

Medine

Compagnie thermique de Belle Vue

Union St. Aubin

Consolidated energy limited

Mon Loisir

Compagnie thermique du Sud

Compagnie thermique de Savannah

Digest of Agricultural Statistics

2009, Central Statistics Organization,
Government of Mauritius

Courtesy: Dinesh Kapur

CLC Division,Winrock International India
Email: dinesh@winrockindia.org

April-June 2011

35

nergy Alternatives India

based power in

(EAI) provides customized

business intelligence and

India

Financing options

market research tailored to individual

for biomass

business needs. The availability of

gasification based
power plants

an existing intelligence database

ensures quick turnaround times and

Central and state

low costs. EAI predicts that biomass

government

gasification based power production

incentives, feed in

in India could grow from about 80

tariffs.

MW currently to over 500 MW by

2015. This comprehensive guide

This report provides

provides business intelligence in

information on key

areas of biomass energy development

technology routes

and would be indispensable to

to obtain power

anyone keen on setting up biomass

from biomass. It

power plants. This report has been

gives information

developed by EAI, India's leading

on who are the key

renewable energy consulting and

Indian vendors,

business intelligence firm. Founded

suppliers and

by professionals from IITs and IIMs,

technical consultants

EAI is today considered a critical

who can assist in setting up biomass

from all the key stakeholders in

catalyst and partner for the Indian

gasification power plants. It answers

the market. It also comes with

cleantech industry. Last updated

to the most frequently asked questions

additional research support from

on May 2011, this report contains

on biomass gasification questions

EAI. It is useful to entrepreneurs and

comprehensive inputs and in-depth

on technology, operations, biomass

businesses keen on setting up biomass

insights on:

supply and costs. It provides guidance

gasification based power plants, also

on the financial returns in biomass

to organizations and government

Biomass gasification market status

gasification based power production

bodies keen on understanding the

and trends in India

for different scenarios. Also presents

potential and actionable steps for

Types of biomass and their

a clear picture of what is the current

biomass gasification. It could also

availability in various regions in

state of biomass gasification based

provide information to business

India

power production in India potential,

research companies and consultants

Supply chain for the various types

companies, biomass availability and

whose clients are keen on entering

of biomass

government incentives.

this sunrise industry. Technology

Economics of power from

consultants and implementation

biomass gasification - capital and

This is the only comprehensive report

companies keen on supporting

operational costs (and break-ups of

available for this important segment. It

companies in setting up biomass

these costs), levelized cost of power,

clearly spells the advantages, costs and

gasification based power plants can

financial scenario analysis

the bottlenecks in biomass gasification

benefit from this report.

Success strategies adopted by

based power production. It is written

power production companies in

with actionable inputs including

this sector

data on the suppliers of gasifiers, gas

Gasification technology and

engines and turnkey consultants after

components

extensive primary research and thus

Updates on the latest in biomass

contains the insights and perspectives

36

April-June 2011

Source: http://www.eai.in/ref/reports/
biomass_gasification.html

2nd Biomass Pellets Trade

Asia

Also, the conference presents the

Organized by the Algae Biomass

2nd edition of the post conference

Organization and coproduced by BBI

September 07-08, 2011, Seoul, S. Korea

workshop on Torrefaction

International, this event brings current

Technologies and Economics.

and future producers of biobased

Biomass Pellets Trade Asia aims to

Facilitated by commercial and

products and energy together with

provide first-hand insights on the

technology experts in this field,

algae crop growers, municipal leaders,

demand dynamics in North Asia, supply

this half-day workshop will make

technology providers, equipment

outlook and investment opportunity in

exclusive focus on the economics,

manufacturers, project developers,

this value chain. According to Poyry,

processes, specification and handling

investors and policy makers. Its a true

biomass is the only renewable energy

of converting agro-biomass into

one-stop shop the worlds premier

source that is tradable and as policy

torrefied materials and pellets. Be at

educational and networking junction

incentives are getting stronger the

this exciting event and make trade

for all algae industries.

biomass markets are growing.

happen.

Warranted by its Renewable Portfolio

Source: http://www.cmtevents.com/
aboutevent.aspx?ev=110917

Standards, wood pellets suppliers

from the West are looking towards

2011 Algae Biomass Summit

East, South Korea and Japan, for

October 25-27, 2011, Minneapolis, USA

exports opportunities. Palm kernel

The Algae Biomass Summit is the

largest, fastest-growing algae event of
its kind. In 2011, this event is expected
to draw nearly 900 attendees and
exceed the previous years attendance
by almost 20%. This growth is

shells (PKS), favored for its high

The 5th annual Algae Biomass

powered by the current strength of the

energy/calorific values, and rice husks,

Summit will take place October

industry and the positive outlook for

are also sought after by North Asian

25-27, 2011 at the Hyatt Regency in

future algae producers. The summit

power utilities and industrial plants.

Minneapolis, MN. This dynamic

will help you as an algae industry

Thus, with economically viable policy

event unites industry professionals

stakeholder identify and evaluate

and incentives, will South Korea and

from all sectors of the worlds algae

technical and economic solutions that

Japan set to drive demand for biomass

utilization industries including, but

fit your operation. It's time to tap into

up? CMT's 2nd Biomass Pellets Trade

not limited to, financing, algal ecology,

your green power. Get started today

Asia is calling for all participants in the

genetic systems, carbon partitioning,

by registering for the 2011 Algae

value chain of the "biomass to power

engineering & analysis, biofuels,

Biomass Summit!

generation" to Seoul this September

animal feeds, fertilizers, bioplastics,

to make this "Global Buyers & Asia

supplements and foods.

Sellers Meet" happen.

Source: http://www.algaebiomasssummit.
org/ema/DisplayPage.aspx?pageId=About

Call for Advertisements

We invite organizations to advertise their profiles and products in the Bioenergy India magazine. Advertisements
focusing on the biomass energy sector will be offered a space in the magazine. Special discount is available for
insertions in more than two issues. For details, please contact Sasi M at sasi@winrockindia.org
The advertisement tariff is as follows:
Particulars

Colour (`)

Back Cover

20,000.00

Front and Back Inside Cover

18,000.00

10,000.00

Inside Full Page

15,000.00

8,000.00

Inside Half Page

8,000.00

3,000.00

Black and White (`)

April-June 2011

37

News Snippets on Biomass Power

India to Focus on Biomass as Energy Source

he country is aiming to generate

on imports. He said if something was

provide sustainable supply of feedstock

for power generation.

about 10,000MW of energy from

not done, by 2030, around 90 per cent

biomass over the next decade, Deepak

of India's energy generation would

Gupta, Secretary of the Ministry of

depend on imports.

New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).

Dr D.K. Khare, Director of MNRE,

said absence of clear state policy, clarity

Mr Gupta pointed out that India had

in procedures, and getting clearance

Mr Gupta was speaking at the

under-utilised its potential to generate

from the Government and Forest

inauguration of National Workshop on

energy from biomass. He said India

Department for the plantation land

Dedicated Plantation-Based Biomass

could generate around 16,000 megawatt

were another roadblocks.

Power and Energy, reports Express

from biomass but was producing

The secretary to the MNRE said the

Buzz. He said power shortage was a

only around 1,000 megawatt. He

ideas and recommendations put forth

big problem in the country and with a

said wasteland could be used to raise

in the workshop would be taken up

question on the safety of nuclear energy,

dedicated and high-yielding plants for

and forwarded to government for

there was an urgent need to resort to

biomass generation.

implementation if they were found

other sources of energy.

A.K. Verma, MD, Karnataka State

He added that currently up to 70 per

Forest Industries Corporation Ltd,

cent of the electricity and other energy

highlighted

generation in the country depends

plantation,

the

importance

especially

India,

to

wholly

The plant is expected to generate

owned subsidiary of Clenergen

revenue of US$6.5 million per annum

Corporation is to buy an 8.5MW

biomass power plant in Klayarkoil,
Tamilnadu from Aurobindo Agro.
Following the acquisition Clenergen
will be operating 55.3MW of power
generating

plants

in

India,

Source: http://www.thebioenergysite.
com/news/8397/india-to-focus-onbiomass-as-energy-source

Clenergen Buys Biomass Plant in India

2
lenergen

bamboo,

of

feasible and genuine.

with an EBITA of $2.5 million.

which will provide operating cost

efficiencies and increased profitability.
"The plant was granted a license

The power plant is located in a region

to expand to 21MW by the State

where local biomass (Prosopis Juliflora)

Government in 2006 and has sufficient

is available year round.

supplies of local biomass to support the

Clenergen has already secured future

scale up of the operation.

with

power sales contracts with corporate

"Within 30 km of the plant there is

projected annual revenues of $50

clients such as Coca Cola India and

available over 1,300 acres of land that

million and gross earnings estimated at

Tata coffee at an average price of US$

can be sub let to support the cultivation

$12 million. The plant has a license to

14 cents per kilowatt.

of energy crop plantations."

generate up to 21MW of electricity on

Mark Quinn, Chairman and CEO said:

site, which includes 50 acres of land to

"The power plant location is ideally

support the expansion.

located for the supply of local biomass

Source: http://www.thebioenergysite.
com/news/8847/clenergen-buysbiomass-plant-in-india

Pine Needles to Generate Bioenergy in India

nce a nuisance, now grass and

ranging between 100 KW and 1 mw

remaining produce goes waste, which

pine needles causing problems

could be set up to utilise the bio mass

will now be converted into biofuel.

for farmers in Himachal Pradesh are to

waste as reported in The Financial

be put to productive use by generating

Times. Himachal Pradesh produces

bioenergy. Himachal has a potential to

70 tonnes of non-edible seeds, out of

generate 418 mw biomass electricity

which only four tonnes are being used

and bio mass plants with capacities

to extract one tonne of oil while the

38

April-June 2011

Source: http://www.thebioenergysite.
com/news/8966/pine-needles-togenerate-bioenergy-in-india

Indian, Pakistani Companies Win Green Energy Awards

wo

Indian

which

Pakistani company, The Aga Khan

Husk Power Systems, based in Bihar

into

Planning and Building Service, were

state, eastern India, was honoured for

sources of power and a Pakistani

among four other international winners.

using a common waste product, rice

firm that fits energy-saving devices

"Our dream is a world where access to

husks, to produce electricity for remote

in homes were honoured with major

clean, affordable electricity and fuel can

green energy awards. Ashden Awards

be enjoyed by the poor, transforming

for Sustainable Energy, is one of the

living

CO2

the novel way of producing electricity

world's most prestigious green energy

emissions and easing the pressure

provided a reliable supply and was

honours, with 20,000 ($32,200, 22,800

on dwindling forests," said awards

cheaper than alternatives.

euros) prize money.

director Sarah Butler-Sloss.

recycle

companies

waste

products

standards,

reducing

villages in the area.

The Ashden Awards judges said that

Pakistani firm, the Aga Khan Planning

The British awards, which started in

"The 201 1 Ashden Award winners are

and Building Service, was selected for

2001, aim to encourage the greater use

making this vision a reality, and their

helping families in mountain villages

of local clean energy and to address

potential for expansion and replication

save energy and make their homes

climate change and alleviate poverty.

is high." Abellon CleanEnergy Ltd.,

warmer through a range of locallyproduced devices.

Ghanaian firm Toyola Energy Ltd.

based in Gujarat state, western India,

won the top prize, the 40,000 Gold

was recognised for its business of

Carpenters and metal workers employed

Award, for its success in making stoves

producing biomass pellets from crop

by the company make products including

that burn less charcoal than traditional

waste to fuel industries in the area.

fuel-efficient stoves, water heaters and

models and that are accessible to low-

As well as replacing traditional

industrial

income families.
The Indian firms, Abellon CleanEnergy
Ltd. and Husk Power Systems, and

fuels

with

wall and floor insulation.

cleaner

alternative, the business also gives

farmers a market for waste products.

Source: http://www.renewsindia.com/
biomass_energy.php

Aston University Planning CHP Against Fuel Poverty in India

power plant fuelled by waste

The

plant

will

allow

regional

Dr Philip Davies, Associate Dean of

products and solar energy could

farmers and their families to access a

Research at the School of Engineering

provide researchers w ith a business

cheap, renewable and reliable energy

and Applied Science at Aston, argued:

and technological blueprint capable of

source that in-turn can help remote

A reliable

addressing rural poverty across India.

villages to generate an income and

energy supply is critical for economic

So business and engineering academics

escape from a cycle of fuel poverty.

development. Bringing renewable and

from Aston University and the Indian

The research team wants to use this

sustainable energy supplies to areas

Institute of Technology in Delhi are

pioneering project to create a blueprint

of rural India can ensure we can help

overseeing

for renewably powered combined heat

people escape from a cycle of poverty.

combined heat and power plant (CHP)

and power boilers, capable of being

Most India farmers are small holders

in a remote village in northern India.

replicated throughout India.

with limited technology for processing

the

construction

of

and

readily

available

Fuelled by crop waste such as rice

Dr Prasanta Dey, Reader in Operations

and preserving food. Reliable energy

husks and prosopis wood, the 300kw

Management at Aston Business School

systems are needed to power such

biomass-solar plant will provide heat,

said: We want to develop a holistic

technologies and at the same time create

steam and electricity to downstream

business model which can be replicated

employment. This research will create

plants, which are also being built as part

to grow wealth in rural communities.

a wealth of ecological and economic

of the three year project. This includes a

In India, over 70 per cent of people live

benefits along the entire biomass chain,

rice mill, fruit and vegetable processing

in rural communities. We believe this

and will offer valuable new research in

plants and a water distillation unit. The

project will empower and benefit the

an evolving industry.

combination of solar and biomass power

villagers involved, create sustainable

will reduce fuel consumption while

rural development and encourage

allowing round the clock operation.

entrepreneurialism.

Source: http://www.recyclingportal.eu/
artikel/26843.shtml

April-June 2011

39

UNDP is the UNs global network to help people meet their development needs and build a better life.
We are on the ground in 166 countries, working as a trusted partner with governments, civil society and the people to help them
April-June 2011build their own solutions to global and national development challenges.

40