Why Ensuring Adequate Biomass Supply is Fraught with Challenges

In recent years, biomass has emerged as a promising source of bioenergy, offering carbon neutral and sustainable energy. Sourcing and procurement of feedstock in India, however, presents unique challenges due to varying agricultural land, infrastructure constraints and economic conditions. Let's take a closer look.

- TUSHAR LOWALEKAR

Biomass can be processed into various forms of biofuels, each serving specific applications. Solid biofuels, such as briquettes and pellets, are commonly utilised in industries and power plants as eco-friendly substitutes for coal. Biofuels, such as biodiesel and bioethanol, are the liquid form of biofuels that are used as alternatives for blending with petrol and diesel in transportation. Compressed biogas (CBG) is a type of gasified biofuel that is created through anaerobic digestion and used in both industrial applications and as a clean fuel for transportation. Biofertilisers, the solid and liquid digestates, contain nutrients from biogas production, which are further used to increase agricultural productivity when applied back to the soil. All of these help save a significant amount of valuable foreign exchange as they offset the import of fossil fuels and chemical fertilisers to that extent.

Challenges in Sourcing Agricultural Biomass

Sustainability and quality issues : The key challenge faced here is the mismatch of tenure. Agri residue is available seasonally and usually for a short time, while the applications where it gets consumed need a steady supply round the year. This poses a challenge in ensuring a stable and reliable supply throughout the year. The quality and composition of the raw materials can vary significantly and affect the efficiency and effectiveness of biomass-based products. Moisture in the biomass, impurities and contaminants, such as mud and stones, end up interfering with the processes and have an impact on the output.