India’s compressed biogas sector present opportunities for startup entrepreneurs

Compressed biogas (CBG) project installation in India offers various advantages, such as enhancing waste management, promoting local clean energy production and reducing reliance on imported compressed natural gas (CNG), which currently meets 47 per cent of India’s gas needs. CBG seamlessly integrates into existing natural gas infrastructure, obviating the necessity for new setups. 

Despite initial sluggishness, the sector is gaining momentum towards its goal of establishing 5,000 CBG projects nationwide under the Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) scheme. However, the sector is ruled by a handful of engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) developers and technology providers who provide end-to-end solutions irrespective of their expertise. It is crucial for innovative startups to join this sector and offer tailored solutions for specific issues. Here are six areas that urgently need attention:

1. Regional-level feedstock mapping: While national data on feedstock availability such as surplus agricultural residue, organic waste from municipalities, sugar industry byproducts and animal waste exists, it’s imperative for CBG projects to access up-to-date and localised estimates. Utilising artificial intelligence presents a promising opportunity to forecast precise feedstock availability at the district or even neighbourhood level, facilitating effective plant planning.

2. Mixed feedstock technology: CBG production predominantly relies on five distinct feedstocks (animal waste, agricultural residue, pressmud, organic waste from municipalities and Napier grass), each characterised by unique physical and chemical compositions, total solids and volatile solid content. Currently, a majority of Indian plants utilise single-source feedstocks due to the absence of economically viable mixed feedstock processing technology. Accessible technology for handling mixed feedstock would enable plants to utilise a variety of sources, mitigating concerns regarding sourcing and shortages.

3. Utilise carbon dioxide (CO2) from CBG projects: With every tonne of CBG produced, about 0.5 tonnes of CO2 is also generated, which is presently wasted and leads to greenhouse gas emissions. There is an urgent need to capture this CO2 and utilise it for high-end applications. 

4. Enrichment and marketing of fermented organic manure (FOM): A major challenge faced by CBG projects involves effectively enriching and marketing FOM, comprising solid and liquid components. While rich in carbon and micronutrients, it lacks nitrogen and potassium, posing disposal issues for some plants, while others offer it to farmers at nominal rates as a soil conditioner. FOM requires enrichment with nitrogen and potassium to meet chemical fertiliser standards and gain acceptance among farmers. There’s a scarcity of knowledge regarding FOM enrichment and effective marketing strategies to sell this product at fair prices.

5. Monitoring health of bioreactors and microbes: Biogas generation occurs through anaerobic digestion, where anaerobic bacteria break down organic matter. As living organisms, these bacteria’s wellbeing and effectiveness are influenced by environmental factors like temperature, pH, mixing rate and moisture content. It is crucial to track their health to ensure optimal functioning and gas production. Currently, many facilities experience reduced gas output due to the lack of a reliable monitoring system for microbe health. Developing and implementing real-time monitoring and responsive solutions could significantly enhance plant operations, enabling continuous production without interruptions.

6. Development of effective feedstock pretreatment systems: Prior to anaerobic digestion, feedstocks, particularly lignocellulosic ones such as agricultural residue and Napier grass, require pretreatment. This process involves several physical, chemical and biological techniques. However, investors often lack clarity regarding the benefits and costs associated with selecting a particular method. 

All these areas present an opportunity for entrepreneurs to contribute to developing environmentally friendly technology and lead the nation in advancing the CBG sector.