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Source: Powerup

Context

In Pipra village, Madhya Pradesh, more than half of the families have installed low-cost Deenbandhu biogas plants to replace firewood, kerosene, and LPG. Women have spearheaded the transition, saving families Rs 800-1,100 per month and boosting health by removing smoke-filled kitchens.

What is biogas?

• It is primarily composed of hydrocarbons, which are flammable and may generate heat and energy when burned.
• Biogas is produced by a biochemical process in which methanogens convert biological waste into usable biogas.
• Bio-gas is a phrase used to describe beneficial gas that results from a biological process.
• Methane gas is the primary component of biogas.

Types of Biogas

Biogas Production 

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Source: GeeksforGeeks

Biogas production is a crucial aspect of sustainable energy generation, especially in the context of India’s rural development and renewable energy goals. It occurs in a biogas plant that maintains an anaerobic (oxygen-free) environment, allowing organic matter to decompose and release biogas. The total biogas generation capacity is estimated at ~4.43 million cubic meters per day

Pre-treatment & Digestion Phase

• Feedstock: Agricultural waste, kitchen waste, animal dung, and industrial organic matter.
  
  
• Pre-treatment: Some substrates need pre-processing to aid fermentation.
  
  
• Flexibility: Digesters can handle varied organic inputs, enhancing adaptability.

Anaerobic Fermentation

• Microorganisms decompose organic matter in absence of oxygen and light.
  
  
• Digesters are temperature-controlled to optimize microbial activity.
  
  
• Regular mixing prevents scum and sludge buildup.

Biogas Generation

• Main components: Methane (CH₄) and Carbon dioxide (CO₂); traces of H₂S and water vapor.
  
  
• Due to corrosion risk (esp. from H₂S), digesters use gas-resistant steel tanks.

Digestate Extraction & Use

• Residue left after gas removal is called digestate.
  
  
• Rich in nutrients → used as organic fertilizer.
  
  
• Promotes sustainable agriculture and waste management.

Purification & Upgradation

• Raw biogas is purified to remove H₂S, moisture, and CO₂.
  
  
• Final product: Biomethane (high CH₄ content).
  
  
• Applications: Power generation, cooking fuel, CNG substitute.

Biogas vs. Other Renewable Energy Sources

Significance of Biogas Adoption for India

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Source: DowntoEarth

The adoption of biogas technology holds immense potential for India in addressing environmental, economic, social, and energy-related challenges. It aligns with the goals of sustainable development and clean energy transition, making it highly relevant for UPSC aspirants to understand from a multidimensional perspective. The Indian biogas market is projected to grow from USD 1.64 billion in 2024 to USD 3.49 billion by 2032, with a projected CAGR of 10.20% according to Fortune Business Insights. 

Cleaner and Pollution-Free Cities

• Biogas technology can significantly reduce urban pollution levels by processing organic waste efficiently.
  
  
• Landfills often leak toxic substances into the soil, contaminating groundwater and harming public health.
  
  
• Decomposing organic waste releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas contributing to air pollution and global warming.
  
  
• Biogas systems mitigate these challenges by converting organic waste into clean energy and biofertilizers.
  

Effective Management of Organic Waste

• Large-scale municipal biogas plants can help manage organic waste sustainably.
  
  
• Feeding municipal waste into biogas plants produces green fuel and high-quality organic fertilisers.
  
  
• It eases the burden on urban landfills and promotes cleanliness and hygiene in cities.

Improved Indoor Air Quality and Women’s Health

• Transitioning to biogas reduces dependence on polluting fuels like firewood, charcoal, and dung cakes.
  
  
• Indoor air pollution leads to over four million premature deaths annually, with women being the most affected due to prolonged indoor exposure.
  
  
• Biogas usage can protect women from respiratory illnesses and improve overall household health.

Energy Independence for Rural Communities

• Biogas offers a decentralised, renewable energy solution for rural and agricultural communities.
  
  
• It reduces reliance on non-renewable sources such as coal and firewood.
  
  
• With only about 26.53% of India's energy coming from renewable sources, biogas adoption can bridge the energy gap sustainably.
  

Efficient Handling of Livestock and Agricultural Waste

• Biogas plants can manage livestock manure and agricultural residue effectively.
  
  
• This helps in reducing water pollution, deforestation, and soil degradation.
  
  
• The conversion of these wastes into biogas promotes resource recovery and environmental conservation.

Reduction in Carbon Emissions

• A biogas plant processing one tonne of feedstock can reduce approximately 2.83 tonnes of CO₂ annually.
  
  
• This makes biogas a crucial climate mitigation tool, contributing to India’s commitment under the Paris Agreement.
  
  

Enhanced Soil Fertility through Biofertilizers

• The digestate produced during biogas generation is rich in nutrients and serves as an effective biofertilizer.
  
  
• It reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers, thereby improving long-term soil health and crop productivity.

Gender Empowerment and Reduced Inequalities

• With access to biogas, women and girls are freed from the burden of collecting firewood, giving them more time for education and skill development.
  
  
• This promotes gender equality, increases women’s participation in economic activities, and enhances their decision-making power within households.

Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Biogas adoption can help India progress towards multiple SDGs, including:

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger
  
  
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
  
  
• SDG 5: Gender Equality
  
  
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
  
  
• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
  
  
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
  
  
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
  
  
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
  
  
• SDG 13: Climate Action
  

International Commitments: How Biogas Supports India’s Climate Goals

1. Paris Agreement (2015) – Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)

• India has committed to reduce emissions intensity of GDP by 45% by 2030 (from 2005 levels).
  
  
• Biogas reduces methane emissions and substitutes fossil fuels, contributing to this reduction.

2. UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – Biogas provides clean, decentralized energy in rural areas.
  
  
• SDG 13: Climate Action – Biogas curbs methane and CO₂ emissions from waste and biomass.
  
  
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption & Production – Promotes waste-to-energy conversion.

3. Global Methane Pledge (2021)

• India is not a formal signatory but is working toward methane reduction via:
  
  
  • Biogas and compressed biogas (CBG) programs
    
    
  • Avoiding open dumping of cow dung and agricultural waste
    

4. India’s Domestic Commitments

• SATAT Scheme (2018): Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation
  
  
• Targets setting up 5,000 CBG plants by 2024–25
  
  
• Reduces reliance on LPG and imports, cuts methane leakage
  
  
• National Bio-Energy Mission
  
  
• Focus on biogas, biomass, and bio-CNG to boost rural employment and clean energy.
  

International Examples of Biogas Usage

Germany

• World's largest biogas producer.
  
  
• Over 9,500 biogas plants, mainly agricultural.
  
  
• Biogas is injected into the natural gas grid.
  
  
• Strong policy support through Feed-in Tariffs (FiTs) and Renewable Energy Act (EEG).
  

Sweden

• Biogas used widely as vehicle fuel (bio-CNG).
  
  
• Public transport, taxis, and municipal fleets operate on biogas.
  
  
• Investment in purification technology to upgrade biogas to biomethane.
  

China

• Over 50 million rural biogas digesters.
  
  
• Government-supported programs for rural energy access.
  
  
• Biogas used for cooking and lighting, reducing coal dependency.
  

Nepal

• Model for small-scale household biogas systems.
  
  
• Supported by Biogas Support Programme (BSP) with UNDP and GIZ.
  
  
• Significant success in remote, off-grid locations.
  

Brazil

• Uses biogas from sugarcane bagasse and agro-waste.
  
  
• Increasing use in bio-CNG for transportation.
  
  
• Blended into energy mix along with bioethanol and hydropower.

Biogas Government Initiatives

The Government of India has started a number of measures to promote biogas in India. The many programs include the National Biogas Programme, the SATAT Initiative, and the Gobar Dhan Scheme, among others. The initiatives are described in detail below:

• The National Biogas Programme (NBP) seeks to establish biogas plants for clean cooking fuel and decentralized electricity generation.
• It also intends to enhance sanitation, manage biogas plant sludge, and create rural jobs, ultimately lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
• SATAT Initiative: The Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) program for compressed biogas (CBG) promotes entrepreneurs to build CBG plants and sell it to Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) for use as automotive and industrial fuels.
• Gobar Dhan plan: The Galvanising Organic Bio-Resources Dhan (GOBARdhan) plan aims to turn organic waste such as cow dung and agricultural residues into energy and riches.
• It is part of the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), which seeks to enhance village cleanliness and environmental sanitation.
• RUCO Initiative: The Food and Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) launched the Repurpose Used Cooking Oil (RUCO) initiative to combat the reintroduction of UCO into the food supply, with the goal of creating a legal framework to redirect UCO to other waste-to-wealth industries such as biogas production.

Source: DowntoEarth