Bureau of Indian Standards – BIS Releases Biofuel Standards in Line with Clean Energy Goals

Bureau of Indian Standards – BIS Releases Biofuel Standards in Line with Clean Energy Goals

VoM News Desk | September 26, 2023 | 05:01 PM IST | Breaking News, Climate & Environment | Follow on Google News

Bureau of Indian Standards – BIS Releases Biofuel Standards in Line with Clean Energy Goals

India Aims to Reduce Emissions and Reliance on Crude Oil Imports

In a significant move towards achieving its clean energy goals and reducing emissions, India’s national standards body, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), has unveiled new standards for biofuels. These standards are designed to regulate and guide the production and use of biofuels, which are derived from biomass and blended with fossil fuels to mitigate environmental impacts.

India’s Biofuel Blending Target

India has set an ambitious target of blending 20% ethanol biofuels into its fossil fuels used in transportation. This initiative not only aims to reduce emissions but also to save the country’s exchequer from the burden of importing crude oil.

Alignment with Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA)

These newly released biofuel standards align with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement of the Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA) during the recent G20 meeting in Delhi. The GBA is a multilateral forum focused on global efforts to achieve clean energy goals.

Nine Standards Released by BIS

BIS has introduced nine standards related to biofuels, catering to various stakeholders, including manufacturers, traders, and entities involved in biofuel-related activities. These standards cover aspects such as blending components in motor gasoline, automotive fuels, aviation turbine fuel, and specifications for Positive Ignition Engine Powered Vehicles.

Green Diesel Standard in Progress

Additionally, BIS is actively working on a green diesel standard. Green diesel is derived from second-generation (2G) feedstock, including agricultural residues like rice and wheat straw, cane trash, corn cobs and stover, cotton stalk, bagasse, and empty fruit bunches, among others.

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Contributions to Clean Energy Objectives

Currently, fossil fuels account for about 98% of the transportation sector’s fuel requirements in India, with biofuels making up the remaining 2%. The introduction of these biofuel standards is expected to not only aid India in achieving its net-zero emissions target by 2070 and the goal of deriving 50% of its energy from renewable sources but also support initiatives such as Make in India, Waste to Wealth, and increasing farmers’ income.

Global Significance of Biofuels

The USA, Brazil, and India are major players in both biofuel production and consumption, collectively accounting for 85% of global ethanol production and 81% of consumption. The global ethanol market, valued at USD 99 billion in 2022, is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5% by 2032.

Economic Benefits and Reduction of Oil Imports

India’s petroleum imports in 2020-2021 cost approximately USD 55 billion. The recent Russia-Ukraine conflict has led to surging global oil prices, further straining the Indian economy. By blending ethanol up to 20% with gasoline, India stands to save around USD 4 billion, reducing its reliance on costly crude oil imports.

VoM News Desk

VoM News is an online web portal in jammu Kashmir offers regional, National & global news.