National Mission on use of Biomass in coal based thermal power plants

Union Ministry of Power has decided to set up a National Mission on use of Biomass in coal based thermal power plants. This would further support the energy transition in the country and our targets to move towards cleaner energy sources.

Objectives of the Mission

The “National Mission on use of biomass in thermal power plants” will have the following objectives;

• To increase the level of co-firing from present 5% to higher levels to have a larger share of carbon neutral power generation from the thermal power plants.

• To take up R&D activity in boiler design to handle the higher amount of silica, alkalis in the biomass pellets.

• To facilitate overcoming the constraints in supply chain of bio mass pellets and agro- residue and its transport upto to the power plants.

• To consider regulatory issues in biomass co-firing.

Constitution

• The Mission would have a Steering Committee headed by Secretary (Power) comprising of all stakeholders including representatives from Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoPNG), Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) etc.

• The Executive Committee would be headed by Member (Thermal), CEA.

What is Biomass?

• Biomass is renewable organic material that comes from plants and animals.

• Biomass continues to be an important fuel in many countries, especially for cooking and heating in developing countries.

• The use of biomass fuels for transportation and for electricity generation is increasing in many developed countries.

Biomass to Energy

• Pyrolysis entails heating organic materials to 800–900^oF (400–500 ^oC) in the near complete absence of free oxygen. Biomass pyrolysis produces fuels such as charcoal, bio-oil, renewable diesel, methane, and hydrogen.

• Hydrotreating is used to process bio-oil (produced by fast pyrolysis) with hydrogen under elevated temperatures and pressures in the presence of a catalyst to produce renewable diesel, renewable gasoline, and renewable jet fuel.

• Gasification entails heating organic materials to 1,400–1700^oF (800–900^oC) with injections of controlled amounts of free oxygen and/or steam into the vessel to produce a carbon monoxide and hydrogen rich gas called synthesis gas or syngas. Syngas can be used as a fuel for diesel engines, for heating, and for generating electricity in gas turbines.

(Sources: PIB and US Energy Information Administration)