The National Bio-Energy Mission was one of eight missions the Prime Minister launched as part of the National Climate Change Action Plan (NAPCC). This scheme was approved in the year 2017 by the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy. This national mission will work to build a bio-energy city project, enhance energy efficiency in conventional biomass-consuming sectors, and offer logistical support to biomass processing facilities. This article will explain to you about the National Bio-Energy Mission which will be helpful in preparing the Environment Syllabus for the UPSC Civil Service exam.

What is Bio-Energy?

• Bioenergy is a form of renewable energy produced from organic components that have biological origins.
• It is the energy produced from biomass, which includes materials like bagasse, cotton stalks, coconut wood, and other plants.
• Biomass can be extremely important, particularly in rural regions, in light of mounting worries regarding global warming.
• Over 70% of the Indian population depends on biomass energy, making it one of the most significant sources of energy. It accounts for 32% of the primary energy used in the nation.
• The present biomass supply is estimated to be between 450 and 500 million tonnes per year, which translates to a potential of roughly 18000 MW.

Role of Bio-energy in Meeting India’s Energy Demands

• Energy Demand: Bioenergy can help to satiate the nation's rising energy needs, particularly in rural areas.
• About 25% of its primary energy is derived from biomass resources, and about 70% of the people in rural areas rely on biomass to meet their daily energy demands. More biomass can be used to address energy needs in rural areas.
• Climate Change Mitigation: In comparison to fossil fuels, bioenergy offers significant advantages, particularly with regard to GHG emissions.
• By reusing carbon from the air and avoiding the use of fossil fuels, biomass lowers the amount of extra fossil carbon released into the atmosphere from the ground.
• Market Growth: India's rural and urban markets for renewable energy systems are expected to experience exponential growth. Despite this, bioenergy is categorized as "non-commercial" energy and is generally absent from energy studies.
• The identification of species such as Jatropha, Neem, and other wild plants as viable sources for biodiesel manufacturing in India.
• Waste to Energy: Biofuels can help turn trash into cash. It has a great deal of potential to assist the nation in achieving its 175 GW renewable energy goal because it is a derivative of renewable biomass resources like plastic, municipal solid waste, forestry residues, agricultural wastes, surplus food grains, etc.
• Income Generation: Using biofuels as a substitute energy source can increase farmers' income dramatically and provide jobs, among other benefits.
• Reduce Imports: About 46.13 % of India's total primary energy consumption comes from imports. By lowering these imports, bioenergy can increase India's energy security and independence.

Bio-Energy - Advantages

• Renewable: It is a fuel source that has the potential to outlive conventional fossil fuels by a significant margin as long as efforts are made to sustain the resources used for bioenergy energy by committed replanting and replenishment.
• Carbon Neutrality: One of the main causes of climate change is the amount of carbon that is emitted into the atmosphere. Bioenergy lessens this because, unlike oil and other fossil fuels, it is a natural component of the carbon cycle.
• Less Dependency On Fossil Fuels: The more bioenergy energy we use, the less we rely on fossil fuels, which are a key cause of climate change and other environmental problems.
• Versatile: In terms of accessible alternatives, bioenergy energy is one of the most versatile. It can be transformed into a variety of fuels, each of which has a range of uses.
• For instance, bioenergy can be used to grow methane gas and a variety of other biofuels, or it can be processed to make biodiesel for automobiles.
• Availability: bioenergy fuels are widely available. They are virtually everywhere on the planet, just like the sun and water.
• Low Cost: The cost of collecting bioenergy fuels is incredibly inexpensive compared to the expense of drilling for oil or building gas pipelines.
• Reduces Waste: There are many recyclable materials and plant matter in the waste we create here that may be used in other places more effectively.
• Domestic Production: Additionally, the use of bioenergy fuel can decentralize the management of energy production from larger corporations. This indicates that customers are no longer obligated to pay the fees charged by power companies.

Bio-Energy - Limitations

• Not Completely Clean: Although a carbon-neutral fuel source, bioenergy is not entirely clean. There are other emissions produced by burning wood and other plant material in addition to carbon.
• Even while the impacts may not be as severe as those from fossil fuels, these might nevertheless contaminate the surrounding ecosystem.
• High Costs In Comparison To Other Alternatives: Despite being less expensive to extract than the majority of fossil fuels, bioenergy fuels are nevertheless generally more expensive to produce than many other renewable energy sources.
• Some people believe that bioenergy projects are not worth the cost to complete, especially when there are solar, water, and wind options.
• Possible Deforestation: Biomass is inefficient and understudied when compared to things like solar and water sources.
• In fact, researchers are still looking for methods to improve its effectiveness.
• Space: To produce the ingredients used in biomass energy, a lot of space is required. This space won't always be available, especially in densely populated places like cities.
• Requires Water: The amount of water required in the production of biomass energy is a sometimes overlooked drawback. Water is a necessity for all plants, so sources must always be accessible.

Biomass Energy- Installed Capacity in India

• For the purpose of supplying electricity to the grid, over 300 biomass power and cogeneration plants totaling 3700 MW have been erected in the nation.
• Additionally, 30 biomass power plants totaling about 350MW are in various phases of development.
• The top states for implementing bagasse cogeneration projects are Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh.
• Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu have assumed leadership roles in biomass power plants.
• By 2020, the government intends to use biodiesel to satisfy 20% of the nation's diesel needs.
• Wild plants including Jatropha curcas, neem, mahua, Karanja, Simarouba (exotic tree), etc. have been discovered as potential sources of biodiesel production.
• Jatropha cultivation on wastelands is being encouraged through a number of incentive programs.
• The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) offers Central Finance Assistance (CFA) to biomass energy projects in India in the form of capital subsidies and financial incentives.

State Wise Installed Capacity of Biomass Energy in India

Various Government Efforts in Reaping Bio-energy

• National Target: 10 GW national target: By 2022, the country is to have installed 10 GW of biomass power, according to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
• National Policy on Biofuels: The national policy on biofuels is intended to further the 2030 target of obtaining a 20 percent blend of biofuels and fossil-based energy.
• Policy for Biomass and Bagasse Cogeneration: Cogeneration strategy for biomass and bagasse: MNRE has further created a cogeneration policy for biomass and bagasse that will aid in supplying India's energy needs.
• Incentives and subsidies are provided financially for biomass plants as well as sugar mills that apply this technology.
• Fiscal Incentives: Government gives 10 years of Income-tax holidays. Concessional customs and excise duty exemption for machinery and components for initial setting up of bioenergy power projects. In several States, there is a general sales tax exemption.
• Waste to energy Projects: Waste to energy projects are also being established for the generation of energy from urban, industrial, and agricultural waste, such as vegetable and other market trash, slaughterhouse waste, agricultural leftovers, and industrial wastes & effluents.
• National Biomass Repository: As part of a nationwide evaluation effort, MNRE also intends to establish a "National Biomass Repository," which will assist in securing the supply of biofuels made from the domestic feedstock.

Conclusion

Everyone can see the promise of biomass energy since it is a carbon-neutral fuel source that is more diversified and more affordable than fossil fuels. However, a number of problems prevent it from being widely used. More initiatives such as the National Bio-Energy Mission will help to address the problem of fuel efficiency, as well as other challenges like cost and available space thereby helpful in mitigating climate change. Although this does not mean that biomass energy is not useful, it is unlikely that it will ever be a viable substitute for fossil fuels until this occurs.