Compressed Biogas (CBG)
Prelims:
Environment
& Ecology, Science & Technology
Mains:
GS
Paper III-Energy, Environment, Economy
Current
relevance:
Amid global energy supply concerns due to tensions in West
Asia, attention has shifted to Compressed Biogas (CBG) as a
renewable alternative to reduce India's dependence on imported fossil fuels and
strengthen energy security.
Highlights:
Current status:
1. India
imports nearly 85% of its crude oil requirement, making its
energy security highly vulnerable to global geopolitical developments.
2. India is
trying to diversify crude oil suppliers, yet around 90% of
its LPG imports transit through the Strait of Hormuz, exposing the
country to supply disruptions during conflicts in West Asia.
Compressed Biogas
(CBG):
1. It is produced by compressing purified biogas generated through the anaerobic
digestion of organic waste.
2. It is chemically similar to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and
serves as a renewable, carbon-neutral fuel.
3. Can be used for transport, cooking, electricity generation, and
industrial applications.
Government
Initiatives:
1. SATAT Initiative:
i.
The Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable
Transportation (SATAT) initiative promotes the
production and use of Compressed Biogas (CBG) to provide clean,
affordable fuel while reducing crude oil imports.
ii.
It also aims to
increase farmers' income, support crop residue management, and establish 5,000
CBG plants across the country.
2. GOBARdhan Scheme:
i.
Promotes
waste-to-wealth by supporting community biogas plants and strengthening
biomass collection and pipeline infrastructure.
3. Mandatory
CBG Blending:
i.
The National
Biofuels Coordination Committee (2023) approved mandatory blending of CBG
with natural gas.
ii. Blending will begin at 1% in FY26 and gradually increase to 5% by FY29.
Source: THE HINDU - https://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/can-biogas-aid-indias-energy-security/article71218703.ece