Prelims – Global Biofuels Alliance, Biofuels, Different Categories of Biofuels, Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana 2019, National Policy on Biofuels, 2018, Ethanol Blending. Mains – GS-III (Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management). “The launch of the Global Biofuels Alliance marks a watershed moment in our quest towards sustainability and clean energy.” |
On September 9, 2023, on the fringes of the G20 Summit in New Delhi, Hon. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, along with the presidents of the United States, Brazil, Italy, Argentina, Singapore, Bangladesh, Mauritius, and the United Arab Emirates, inaugurated the Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA).
What is the Alliance for Global Biofuels?
Gathering the largest producers and users of biofuels, the Global Biofuels Partnership (GBA) is a multi-stakeholder partnership of Governments, International Organizations, and Industries, spearheaded by India as the G20 Chair. Its goal is to promote the production and use of biofuels. With the help of the program, biofuels will be seen as essential to the energy transition, create jobs, and boost the economy.
With the help of technology advancements, policy lesson sharing, technical support for national programs, and increased participation from a wide range of stakeholders, the Alliance hopes to accelerate the global adoption of biofuels. Specifically, it plans to facilitate capacity-building exercises across the value chain.
Countries and organizations which have already joined GBA:
24 countries and 12 international organizations have already agreed to join the alliance:
- Eight G20 countries: Argentina, 2. Brazil, 3. Canada, 4. India 5. Italy, 6. Japan 7. South Africa, 8. USA
- Four G20 Invitee Countries: Bangladesh, 2. Mauritius,3.Singapore, 4. UAE
- Twelve non-G20 countries: Burundi, 2. Finland, 3. Guyana,4. Iceland, 5. Kenya, 6. Panama, 7. Paraguay, 8. Philippines9. Seychelles, 10. Sri Lanka, 11. Tanzania 12. Uganda.
- Twelve International organizations: Asian Development Bank, World Economic Forum, World LPG Organization, UN-Energy for All, UNIDO, Biofutures Platform, International Civil Aviation Organization, International Energy Agency, International Energy Forum, International Renewable Energy Agency, World Biogas Association, World Bank.
- Biofuels: what are they?
- Any hydrocarbon fuel that is created quickly—in a matter of days, weeks, or even months—from organic matter—living or once-living material—is referred to as biofuel.
- They can produce electricity, heat houses, and power cars. Because they are derived from plants that can be cultivated repeatedly, biofuels are regarded as renewable resources.
- Biofuels can be in the form of solid, liquid, or gas.
- Manure, wood, and dried plant material are examples of solid biofuels.
- Bioethanol and biodiesel are examples of liquid biofuels.
- Biogas is a type of gaseous biofuel.
- Fossil fuels can be substituted or combined with biofuels for a variety of purposes, including producing power and heat.
- Growing oil prices, fossil fuels’ greenhouse gas emissions, and interest are some of the factors driving the switch to biofuels.
Several Types of Biofuel:
- First generation: Using traditional technology, they are derived from sugar, starch, vegetable oil, or animal fats. Typical first-generation biofuels consist of vegetable oil, bioethers, bioalcohols, biodiesel, biogas.
- Second generation: These come from non-food crops like wood and waste biomass, which includes cellulosic biofuels and wheat and corn stalks. Advanced biofuels like biohydrogen and bioethanol are two examples.
- Third generation: Made from microorganisms such as algae.
- Fourth generation: The goal of fourth-generation biofuels is to absorb and store CO2 in addition to producing sustainable energy.
Obstacles in the Adoption of Biofuels:
- Land Use and Food Security: In areas that rely largely on agriculture, the competition between biofuel production and food crops for arable land has increased food costs and raised worries about food security.
- Impact on Biodiversity: Growing biofuel crops in large monocultures can lower biodiversity and damage ecosystems.
- Water Use and Pollution: Certain crops used to produce biofuel require a lot of water, which might worsen the water shortage in the areas where they are planted.
- Energy Balance: Some biofuels may not have a positive energy balance. There may be a limited net energy gain from some biofuels since their production may demand more energy than their fuel-producing capacity.
- Difficulties with Technology and Infrastructure: The extensive use of biofuels would necessitate large expenditures for new infrastructure and
The extensive integration of biofuels would necessitate substantial financial outlays for brand-new infrastructure as well as adjustments to current engines, automobiles, and distribution networks due to technological and infrastructure obstacles.
- Variability and Seasonality: Regional and seasonal differences can affect the feedstock availability for the manufacture of biofuels. This may have an impact on the pricing and supply stability of biofuels.
- Consumer Acceptance: Misconceptions regarding the environmental advantages of biofuels along with worries about availability, cost, and performance may make consumers reluctant to embrace them.
What is India’s role in the Global Biofuel Alliance?
The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that Net-Zero ambitions will cause biofuels to rise by 3.5–5 times by 2050, offering India enormous growth potential.
In 2022, the world’s biofuel procurement reached record 171.2 billion litres, of which India accounted for just 2.7% or 4.6 billion litres. According to the IEA, India continues to be the third-largest producer of ethanol, behind the US and Brazil.
Acquiring Knowledge from Optimal Approaches: GBA will assist in technology transfer and global climate finance mobilization.
It will expedite advancements in the compressed biogas industry and enhance the capabilities of third-generation ethanol plants.
E-20 Target: India hopes to reach E20 by 2025–2026 after reaching the E10 target.
Acquiring knowledge from Brazil’s accomplishment of reaching E-85 via the Global Biofuels Alliance.
The adoption of Flex Fuel vehicles in India could potentially be accelerated by this.
It will help lower emissions and the cost of crude oil imports for India.
Climate Action: The GBA’s establishment will support international cooperation in reducing the use of fossil fuels, which will strengthen the fight against climate change.
The promotion of biofuel exports is a chance for India to grow its proportion in the production of biofuels, which would strengthen its energy independence. India can join Brazil and the US as a major exporting country.
Increasing Employment possibilities: The biofuel industry’s investments generate job possibilities.It is expected to enhance farmers’ financial standing and help them double their revenue.
STEPS TAKEN BY INDIA FOR BIOFUEL ADOPTION
- India has just implemented the Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana, 2019 to encourage the use of biofuels. The plan aims to establish an ecosystem that would facilitate the establishment of commercial enterprises and to increase research and development in the 2G ethanol sector.
- Blending of ethanol: By 2030, the 2018 Biofuel Policy aims to achieve 20% blending of ethanol and 5% blending of biodiesel.
- The Center has announced that it will proceed with its ethanol blending aim of 20% ethanol-containing gasoline by 2025–2026 instead of 2030.
- In 2018, the GOBAR (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources) DHAN plan was implemented. It focuses on handling and processing solid waste from farms and cow dung to produce beneficial compost, biogas, and bio-CNG, which helps to maintain clean communities and raises the standard of living for rural households. It was introduced as part of the Gramin Swachh Bharat Mission.
- Repurpose Used Cooking Oil (RUCO): The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) introduced it with the goal of creating an ecosystem that will make it possible to gather used cooking oil and turn it into biodiesel. ━
- The 2018 National Policy on Biofuels: To enable the extension of suitable financial and fiscal incentives under each category, the Policy categorizes biofuels as “Advanced Biofuels” which include Third Generation (3G) biofuels, bio-CNG, and Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) to drop-in fuels, and “Basic Biofuels” which include First Generation (1G) bioethanol & biodiesel.
Global Initiatives:
- Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB): Farmers, businesses, governments, non-governmental organizations, and scientists interested in the sustainability of biofuel production and distribution come together for this international project.
- It introduced the “RSB Certification System,” a set of extensive sustainability standards, in April 2011. Producers of biofuels that satisfy these requirements can demonstrate to regulators and consumers that their product was sourced ethically and without causing harm to the environment or abusing human rights.
- The Sustainable Biofuels Consensus is a global initiative that urges governments, businesses, and other relevant parties to take immediate action to guarantee the sustainable production, trade, and consumption of biofuels.
- Bonsucro: Established in 2008, this global non-profit organization has multiple stakeholders and aims to promote sustainable sugar cane.
Way ahead:
It is important to use the GBA to strengthen and improve biomass supply networks.
The effective transfer of technology for the manufacture of second-generation ethanol from agricultural residue should be given top priority by GBA.
The GBA need to encourage long-term funding for bioenergy initiatives and highlight pilot-scale Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production plants. With India in the forefront, it has the ability to replicate the International Solar Alliance’s (ISA) achievements in the field of renewable energy.
Using non-food feedstocks, funding research and development, and creating comprehensive regulations that take into account the environmental, social, and economic elements of biofuel production and use are all necessary to encourage the adoption of biofuels.
Explore our courses: https://apnipathshala.com/courses/
Explore Our test Series: https://tests.apnipathshala.com/