E20 by 2020: Hold Your Breath!

by Ramya Natarajan (Economic Times/Center for Study of Science, Technology & Policy) The National Policy on Biofuels 2018 sets an ethanol-blending target of E20 by 2030. However, if the dispersion modelling results for India look promising for ethanol fuels, policymakers could push for an ambitious ‘E20 by 2020’ mandate -- The World Health Organization’s global air pollution database reveals that India has 14 of the 15 most polluted cities in the world. Vehicular emissions significantly contribute to the deteriorating air quality in our cities. Primary pollutants include chronic respiratory irritants like particulate matter (PM); poisonous gases like carbon monoxide (CO); carcinogens like benzene, other volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and hydrocarbons (HCs); and precursors to secondary PM and ground-level ozone, such as nitrogen oxides (NOX).

One of the steps taken by the Government of India towards directly reducing vehicular pollution is introducing ethanol-blending mandates. Peer-reviewed studies indicate that ethanol-blended fuels can directly and considerably reduce harmful vehicular exhausts (compared with pure petrol). Both CO and HC exhaust emissions decrease by about 13 per cent for E10 (10 per cent ethanol) blends and 24 per cent for E20 (20 per cent ethanol) blends, compared with E0 (pure petrol). Benzene, a carcinogenic VOC, also decreases by almost 7 per cent in E10 blends and up to 40 per cent in E20 blends. PM2.5, a major contributor to air pollution in India, reduces by approximately 25 per cent with E20. In addition to reducing carcinogenic fumes and particulate emissions that hinder regular alveolar functioning, ethanol blending may decrease the production of secondary pollutants.

While most of the primary pollutants in tailpipe exhausts definitely and consistently decrease upon ethanol blending, the results reported for NOX emissions are quite ambiguous (with large variations, depending on test conditions). Furthermore, studies have shown an exponential increase in acetaldehyde emissions with ethanol blends. However, the amount of acetaldehyde in E0 is so negligible that an ‘exponential’ increase is not substantial in absolute terms.

Focussing on the effects of ethanol-blended fuels solely on tailpipe exhausts paints just half the picture. The secondary effects of these emissions on total air quality — and their correlation with local air chemistry and meteorological conditions — should also be considered. For example, VOCs and NOX emissions can lead to the formation of ground-level ozone. However, in Brazil, lowered NOX emissions through ethanol fuels led to an increase in ozone levels. So, the effect of primary pollutants on secondary pollutant formation depends on conditions specific to the area of interest.

Dispersion modelling, one of the standard techniques to study such secondary effects, should be undertaken in India to determine the overall impact of ethanol blending on local air quality. E10 and E20 blends can also be introduced in select small cities in India, as part of a pilot study. The air pollution levels can be monitored for a year to determine the net effect of ethanol fuels on air quality. A deeper understanding of the potential of ethanol-blended fuels to form ozone (and other secondary pollutants like PM) in the Indian scenario will help make and implement effective policies towards ethanol blending. READ MORE

Excerpt from The Hindu Business Line: “Going for 2G ethanol would help India create a large number of jobs in rural India, apart from helping it produce green energy,” says Thomas Schroder, Vice-President, Biorefining Commercial, at Novozymes.

Novozymes, a Danish company, is the world’s largest producer of industrial enzymes. Schroder, who was recently in Delhi to participate in a seminar on advanced biofuels, spoke to BusinessLineabout where do the efforts to produce clean energy stand internationally. Excerpts:

Even though cellulosic ethanol is hailed as the energy technology that can help address issues associated with climate change, the world has been slow in adopting it. What are the reasons for this?

Yes, the commercial adoption of cellulosic ethanol globally has been slower than expected. But the development of the industry has been consistent and definitely in the right direction. Seven commercial plants have come up. And the total investment has been over $2 billion. Several process technologies have now been de-risked and are ready for deployment. In addition to technology maturity for the next uptake, it requires policy developments that are currently maturing across various regions, including India, China, EU and Latin America.

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Currently, there are five operating plants around the globe. We have a positive short-term outlook for cellulosic ethanol expansion; several partners tell us they will break ground for new plants this year across different regions.

What, according to you, is India’s potential in tapping cellulosic ethanol? India has drawn up some ambitious plans. But they are yet to take off. What do you think is holding it back?

The Indian bio-fuel policy has referred to a surplus biomass availability of 120-160 million tonnes annually, which if converted, could produce around 30 billion litres. To start with, the government seems to point to 5-10 billion litres of cellulosic ethanol in the fuel mix by 2030 as a first step. India definitely has a significant potential for cellulosic ethanol. What makes it also unique is that there are a number of drivers for this industry apart from just the issue of climate change. Apart from reduced burden from oil imports, crop residue burning causing local air quality issues, employment generation in rural areas, improved income for farmers, etc are important considerations.

I feel the cellulosic ethanol industry is able to contribute on all of these concerns. The National Biofuel Policy, 2018, has given a clear and ambitious direction and I do not see a reason why this is not achievable. However, all the stakeholders need to be motivated and work together towards making this a reality. The government has announced 12 cellulosic ethanol (2G) plants to be built by the oil marketing companies. All these projects are in various stages of development and we are hopeful of seeing real construction soon. READ MORE