Explore waste-to-energy technologies

The Indian industry has been called upon to set up biogas plants and bio-methanation plants in the country to substitute LPG, especially in the cities.

“The ground has been set and it is now for the industry and entrepreneurs to take this up in a big way,” said A K Jain, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change.

Speaking at Technical Conference on Waste to Energy and Resource Conservation (WERC) 2019, he also urged the industry to explore the possibility of shifting from coal-based electricity to waste-to-energy technologies.

He further added that in the last decade, the demand for energy has increased drastically and it is imperative that new and alternate mode of energy should be used.

“Almost 25% of total energy consumed in the country comes from bio-mass,” he said.

The conference was organized by FICCI, jointly with PCRA, Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs on 30 May 2019 in New Delhi.

The importance of public partnerships with regard to waste management process was also stressed at the conference.

“We have to achieve 100% ODF (Open Defecation Free), public participation and create waste to wealth,” said Vinod Kumar Jindal, Joint Secretary (SBM), Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs.

Jindal also highlighted the need for clarity on the waste segregation policy. “The need of the hour is to make waste segregation compulsory,” he said.

“Waste is best defined as a resource at the wrong time, location or form, waiting to be utilized,” added Rene Van Berkel, UNIDO Representative to India.

He further added that energy and materials recovery have an important role to play in circular economy.

Waste-to-energy and resources conservation can significantly reduce the export dependency of oil and natural gas for the country, according to Alok Tripathi, Executive Director, Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA).

“An annual growth rate of 4% is expected in per capita energy consumption in coming years,” Tripathi pointed out. fiinews.com