Three pathways for energy diversification, Pg13

Key Highlights:

• India aims for 500 GW of non-fossil electricity by 2030 and 1,800 GW by 2047, including 100 GW of nuclear power.
• India generates approximately 950 mmta of sustainable biomass resources and crop residues annually.
• India's cattle and poultry generate about 300 mmta of dry manure, potentially yielding 100 billion cubic meters of biogas per year.
• Current natural gas consumption is about 70 billion cubic meters, with imports at 35 billion cubic meters.

Detailed Insights:

• India can enhance energy resilience by widening electricity applications in transport, cooking, and industry, and by producing e-fuels.
• Utilizing agricultural residues, manure, municipal waste, and forestry biomass can significantly boost biofuel production.
• Increasing the share of natural gas in the primary energy mix and integrating small-scale LNG (SSLNG) are crucial strategies.
• Scaling up energy storage using the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) is essential to minimize capital investment and increase the use of electric vehicles (EVs).
• India needs to invest in domestic rare earth extraction to support its ambitious non-fossil electricity targets.
• Sustainable biomass resources and crop residues could be used for biofuels, biochar, pyrolytic oil, and syngas production via the Fischer-Tropsch process.
• Biomethane from manure can potentially replace current LNG imports, and be distributed through natural gas pipelines and SSLNG infrastructure.
• Diversifying natural gas sources globally and negotiating long-term contracts can reduce vulnerability to cartelization and supply disruptions.
• Expanding SSLNG infrastructure is necessary to supplement the existing natural gas pipeline network, especially for city gas distribution and dispersed industrial use.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Biofuels: Fuels derived from renewable biomass sources, such as agricultural crops, forestry residues, and waste materials.
• Small-Scale LNG (SSLNG): Liquefied natural gas production and distribution in smaller quantities, often used for localized energy needs.
• Fischer-Tropsch process: A chemical reaction that converts a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen into liquid hydrocarbons.