This document discusses various biomass and biogas energy technologies and initiatives in India. It provides snapshots of biomass-based electrification, improved biomass cookstoves, and biogas projects. It notes that biomass has a power generation potential of 16,000 MW but current installed capacity is only 171.96 MW. Improved cookstoves could benefit 145 million households and reduce indoor air pollution deaths. Challenges include policy uncertainty, financing access, ensuring technology quality, and maintaining biogas operations. Mitigation strategies include clear post-grid guidelines, dedicated financing facilities, standards development, and entrepreneur-run maintenance models.

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05/05/2015
Bio-mass off-grid – Policy and Finance
Issues and Mitigants
New Delhi, April 2015

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Bio-mass Based Electrification: A Snapshot
05/05/2015
 Biomass
 Estimated Production of Crop -
540 MT/yr
 Estimated Surplus Avail. - 120-
150 MT/yr
 Power Generation Potential
16,000 MW
 Cogeneration – 5,000 MW
 Biomass resource atlas -
http://lab.cgpl.iisc.ernet.in/Atl
as
 Total Installed Capacity – 171.96
MW (Off-grid only)
 153.40 MW Industrial Captive
 18.56 Village Electrification
Configuration
AC Configuration; 32 – 120 kW;
connected to 200 – 400 h/h
Cost (INR) 20,00, 000 – 70,00,000

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Bio-mass Based Electrification: Challenges and Mitigations
05/05/2015
 C1: Policy Uncertainty:
Uncertainty on expansion of grid
and possible implications on the off-
grid power plants.
 M1: Clear guidelines to be set for
developers on post-grid scenarios,
tariffs/pricing.
 C2: Techno-economic feasibility:
Techno-economic feasibility yet to
be proven, high cost of power.
 M1: Comprehensive techno-
economic feasibility to be done for
the sector to facilitate informed
decision making.
 C3: Access to Finance: Poor
availability of affordable working
capital and project financing
 M1: Unbundling of distribution and
power generation infrastructure
 M2: Government Inst. to step in for
creation of distribution infrastructure
 M3: Dedicated financing facility for
off-grid segments working capital
need.
 M4: Long term project financing
principles (similar to other
infrastructure projects) to be applied
 C4: Skilled Manpower: Lack of
skilled and trained manpower
 M1: MNRE to support development
of training modules and courses
 M2: Collaborations with other
existing initiatives (NSDC, Skill
Development Ministry)

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Improved Bio-mass Cookstoves : A Snapshot
05/05/2015
 Improved Bio-mass cookstoves
 More than 75% of our rural
households (approx. 145 million
households) use traditional biomass
cookstoves.
 The traditional inefficient cookstoves
are also a major cause of indoor air
pollution (IAP).
 WHO estimates more than 5 lakh
deaths per year due to IAP in India.
 Improved biomass cookstoves can
significantly reduce consumption of
biomass, reduction in IAP and
emissions from households.
Firewood
&
Agricultur
al Residue
75%
Cow Dung
11%
LPG
11%
Kerosene
1%
Others
2%
Fuel Usage in rural India
MNRE has launched Unnat Chulha Abhiyan that aims to
deploy 3 million improved biomass cookstoves.

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Improved Bio-mass Cookstoves: Challenges and Mitigations
05/05/2015
Challenges in Demand Creation
 C1: Poor Awareness about IAP:
Household are not aware of ill
effects of IAP and benefits of ICS.
 M1:Mass campaigns to increase
awareness through TV, Radio and
other channels.
 C2: Affordability and Access to
Finance: Lack of working capital for
distributors and manufacturers; no
consumer financing;
 M1: ICS can be included in DRI
scheme
 M2: Working capital facility for
manufacturers and distributors
 M3: VAT and other taxes to be
exempted
Challenges in Improving Supply
 C3: Ensuring Quality and
Standards: Lack of clarity on approval,
standards and road map for technology
development, “one size fits all does not
work”.
 M1: Approval processes, Testing
Methodology to be developed in
context of recent recommendations of
WHO.
 M2: User preferences should be
incorporated in the approval process.
 C4: Need for
Coordination/Integration: ICS
dissemination need to be integrated
and coordinated with other
interventions and agencies.
 M1: A mission mode for deploying ICS
in rural areas.

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Biogas for Household and Community: A Snapshot
05/05/2015
 Biogas Potential
 Manure & Poultry droppings
– 1,500 MW
 Urban (MSW) Waste –
2,600 MW
 Industrial Waste – 1,300
MW
 47.98 lakh Biogas installation
done in India.
 Low-cost and an ‘ideal’ solution
for household lighting and
cooking energy needs.
Household
Biogas Units
Mid-sized
Biogas Units
Configuration
2 – 4 m3 5 – 25 kW
Service
Cooking
energy
Heat,
electricity,
motive power
Business
Model
NGO/Entrepren
eur driven
installation
services
Entrepreneur
driven
installation
services

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Biogas : Challenges and Mitigations
05/05/2015
 C1: Operational Challenges hamper effectiveness: Supply chain need
to be managed better to ensure smooth operation.
 M1:An enterprise/entrepreneur based model to provide operation and
maintenance.
 C2: Biogas losing importance as a key source of energy for rural
households.
 M1: More focus on promoting biogas as a viable option for lighting and cooking
energy.
 C3: Easy access to working capital financing for entrepreneurs and
developers:
 M1: Off-grid financing facilities to put more focus on Biogas.

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Thank You.
05/05/2015