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The current energy scenario and policies demand the transition of the fuel economy from conventional fossil fuels to renewable fuels, carbon-neutral fuels, and/or decarbonized fuels. The impact of biomass-derived fuels is well-known as their radiocarbon dating indicates their contribution to young carbon emissions in addition to fewer emissions of particulates, sulfur dioxide, and air pollutants compared to fossil fuels. The various kinds of biomass available in India are already being established as potential sources for the production of biofuels and power generation. In this context, besides the quantity of biomass, environmental and economic factors are critically important for determining the range of conversion processes. Currently in India, agricultural-based biomass is the major partner for bioenergy generation. The annual surplus of agriculture-based biomass from major crops, available after its utilization for domestic use, cattle feeding, compost fertilizer, etc., is about 230 million metric tons (MMT). The estimated gross biomass power potential (based on trends) for 2019–2020 from the selected crops is around 30,319.00 Megawatt electric (MWe) at the pan-India level. However, it can be as high as 50,000 MWe after expanding the scope of available biomass from different energy sources. Moreover, the increasing trend of the country for the production of municipal solid waste (MSW) at a rate of 0.16 million tons (Mt) per day also indicates its potential for bioenergy generation. Nevertheless, its decentralized collection and segregation are key issues to its availability for bioenergy conversion/power generation. Therefore, the need of this hour is an effective utilization strategy plan for every type of available biomass including biomass-based refineries, renewable energy carriers, and/or other value-added products. This review aims to compile the various biomass resources (agricultural residues, municipal solid waste, forest-based biomass, industry-based biomass, and aquatic biomass) available in India and their potential for the generation of bioenergy (CBG, bioethanol, power, co-generation, etc.) through various bioconversion technologies that are available/in progress in the country. It also summarizes the current bioenergy scenario of India and initiatives taken by the Indian Government to achieve its future demand through biomass to energy conversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent studies, various reports reveal that stubble burning of crop residues in India generates nearly 150 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2), more than 9 million tons of carbon monoxide (CO), a quarter-million tons of sulphur oxides (SOX), 1 million tons of particulate matter and more than half a million tons of black carbon. These contribute directly to environmental pollution, as well as the haze in the Indian capital, New Delhi, and the diminishing glaciers of the Himalayas. Although stubble burning crop residue is a crime under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Air and Pollution Control Act (APCA) of 1981, a lack of implementation of these government acts has been witnessed across the country. Instead of burning, crop residues can be utilized in various alternative ways, including use as cattle feed, compost with manure, rural roofing, bioenergy, beverage production, packaging materials, wood, paper, and bioethanol, etc. This review article aims to present the current status of stubble-burning practices for disposal of crop residues in India and discuss several alternative methods for valorization of crop residues. Overall, this review article offers a solid understanding of the negative impacts of mismanagement of the crop residues via stubble burning in India and the other more promising management approaches including use for bioenergy, which, if widely employed, could not only reduce the environmental impacts of crop residue management, but generate additional value for the agricultural sector globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The wide-spread dependence of transportation sector on the ever-depleting and greenhouse gas emitting fossil fuels when burnt has raised considerable energy security and environmental concerns. Consequently, countries around the world have positioned biofuels as a center stage alternative to fossil fuels in their national policies to provide energy security and carbon emission control. In this regard, the paper conducts a feasibility assessment of setting-up large-scale supply chain of bioethanol (i.e., a biofuel variant) based on the regional availability of agricultural residues. Critical resources and capabilities requirements and governance attributes for bioethanol supply chains are explored using the resource-based view and institutional theory lenses. An agricultural residues (as biomass inputs) based bioethanol supply chain (BESC) model is proposed to incorporate the economic and environmental optimality considerations for an agro-climatic region. A case study of the Punjab State in India is used as an application of the proposed BESC model. Findings suggest that sustainable BESC configurations can be achieved differently for different agricultural residues. Comparative analyses, trade-off scenarios, and sustainability assessments of various agricultural residues-based BESC configurations are conducted. The policy implications of the priority areas are discussed within the bounds of India's biofuel policy. • Designed biomass-based bioethanol supply chains from a policy perspective. • Resource-based view and institutional theory are applied. • Developed large-scale supply chain model for energy security and carbon-neutrality. • Performed comparative, trade-off, and sustainability analyses for biomass types. • Priority areas for creating a nationwide bioethanol economy are identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a microbiologist Venkateswar Rao Linga who is serving as a President of Association of Microbiologists of India 2012. It discusses his research interests which include production of Bio-ethanol using lignocellulosic biomass, Xylitol, Probiotics, Enzymes and Antibiotics. It reflects on to his career achievements and depicts his contribution in acquiring a funding of 14 crores Rupees for Microbiology Department at Osmania University, Hyderabad, India.

The article features Ramesh Chander Kuhad, chairman of the Indian Academy of Microbiological. He worked as an assistant professor in the Department of Microbiology at Bhopal University in Bhopal in 1985. He was appointed as professor and chairman in the Department of Biotechnology at Kurukshetra University in 2003. Among his interests is bioethanol production.

The article reports that inorder to fulfill the need of biofuel, India has announced targets for blending ethanol with gasoline in 2017. It analyzes the capacity of the country to increase its production of ethenol and the cost-effective mix of feedstocks to meet the 20 percent blend mandate in 2017 and its implications for food prices in India.

Abstract: The last decade has seen a surging demand for biofuels in the wake of increasing oil prices and rising environmental concerns. The most common biofuel is bio-ethanol accounting for more than 90% of total biofuel usage. It is increasingly produced from sugar cane making cane a strategic crop for biofuels. Given the growing demand for “green” fuels, bio-ethanol production has been supported by energy policies in the past decade, which have consequently been accused of contributing to the global trend of rising food prices and thus jeopardising food security. However, while biofuel policies are an important driver, prices as much as food security will ultimately be determined by supply constraints of strategic crops. This paper hence investigates drivers of and constraints to sugar cane production in China and India and shows that supply side constraints vary significantly in the two countries. China and India both face serious limitations with regard to suitable available land for the further expansion of sugar cane production. Equally they are both faced with challenges to increasing yield output per hectare, albeit different ones. With regard to productivity, China achieved 2.7% annual yield growth since 1997, while India has seen yield decreases of −0.1%p.a. over the same period. The authors conclude that cane used as a feedstock to meet the rising energy demand will come at the expense of converting fertile land for non-food purposes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Biofuel initiatives in India have gained momentum with the national biofuel policy targeting 20% blending of both petrol and diesel by 2017. Most of India's biofuel plans revolve around using sugarcane for bioethanol and jatropha for biodiesel production. This study, taking the southern Indian state of Karnataka as an example, aims at estimating the potential to achieve policy targets. The study spatially analyses land-use change owing to biofuel expansion and its effects on food production. We used an integrated modelling framework to simulate land-use change and bioenergy production under two scenarios - Industrial Economy ( IE) and Agricultural Economy ( AE). Results indicate that meeting the 20% blending target is a challenging goal to achieve under both scenarios. Bioethanol requirements can be nearly fulfilled (88% under IE and 93% under AE) because of sugarcane expansion. However, biodiesel demands cannot be fulfilled using only degraded lands as currently planned in India, but additional agricultural land (3-4% of the total cropland) will be required for jatropha-based biodiesel production. Food production will not be directly impacted until 2025, because the largest source of additional land could be short- and long-term fallows. We conclude that conservation oriented initiatives, such as water harvesting and energy conservation measures can increase productivities of biofuel crops and reduce fuel demands, respectively. State support and Clean Development Mechanism opportunities can enhance economic incentives for energy cropping. Therefore, a simultaneous and multipronged approach is needed to accommodate food and fuel demands in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract  Energy plays a vital role in the economic growth of any country. Current energy supplies in the world are unsustainable from environmental, economic, and societal standpoints. All over the world, governments have initiated the use of alternative sources of energy for ensuring energy security, generating employment, and mitigating CO2 emissions. Biofuels have emerged as an ideal choice to meet these requirements. Huge investments in research and subsidies for production are the rule in most of the developed countries. India started its biofuel initiative in 2003. This initiative differs from other nations’ in its choice of raw material for biofuel production—molasses for bioethanol and nonedible oil for biodiesel. Cyclicality of sugar, molasses, and ethanol production resulted in a fuel ethanol program which suffered from inconsistent production and supply. The restrictive policies, availability of molasses, and cost hampered the fuel ethanol program. Inconsistent policies, availability of land, choice of nonnative crops, yield, and market price have been major impediments for biodiesel implementation. However, a coherent, consistent, and committed policy with long-term vision can sustain India’s biofuel effort. This will provide energy security, economic growth, and prosperity and ensure a higher quality of life for India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]