Introduction

As India continues to grow and urbanize, the country’s thirst for energy has never been greater. In its quest for energy security, India is turning to alternative and sustainable solutions, and one promising avenue is the utilization of ethanol. This biofuel, derived from renewable resources like sugarcane, corn, and biomass, is environmentally friendly and aligns with India’s ambitious energy goals.

To demonstrate the government’s commitment to expediting the shift from fuels to environmentally friendly options, Shri Nitin Gadkari, India’s Minister for Road Transport and Highways, recently unveiled a new Toyota Innova Hycross, which is the world’s first 100% ethanol fueled-car. 

Renewable Solution

India’s dependence on fossil fuels has long been a cause for concern, both environmentally and economically. The country imports a significant portion of its crude oil, leaving it vulnerable to price fluctuations in the global market. On the other hand, ethanol can be produced domestically from crops, reducing the nation’s reliance on foreign oil and boosting energy security.

Introducing this eco-friendly version of Toyota’s Innova Hycross model follows the government’s phased implementation of E20 fuel. E20 fuel refers to petrol blended with 20% ethanol. This is part of an initiative aims at increasing the use of biofuels. This is mainly to reduce emissions and decrease reliance on oil imports.

According to data from the Department of Commerce, in fiscal year 2023, the nation imported crude oil worth $162.2 billion, representing a 50.7% increase from $107.5 billion. India imported crude oil worth $34 billion in the current fiscal year’s April-June period.

 The utilization of ethanol from sugarcane, broken rice, and other agricultural produce is to assist the third-largest oil-importing country in reducing its dependence on crude oil shipments. And thus saving the costs. India has witnessed consistent upward progress in the blending of ethanol in petrol, from 1.5% in 2013–14 to 11.5% by March 2023. The Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas i. Shri Minister Hardeep Singh Puri. He stated, “This has not only helped us attain savings in import bills but has also contributed to a reduction in carbon emissions.”

Ethanol to propel India’s energy drive

Upon observing the rapid adoption of E10 fuel, the government expedited the transition to E20 fuel by five years, moving the deadline from 2030 to 2025. According to Shrikant Kuwalekar, a specialist in commodity derivatives and agricultural value chains; India aims to achieve a 20% ethanol blend by 2025, primarily from sugarcane. However, the government is exploring alternative options due to fluctuating sugarcane yields and increasing sugar prices. As a result of food security concerns, surplus rice stocks are no longer available. Therefore ethanol producers are now solely reliant on maize (corn) as a feedstock for their operations.

In the United States, a significant portion of the corn harvest is for ethanol production. Whereas Brazil, the world’s second-largest producer of environmentally friendly transportation fuel, employs sugarcane.

Currently, almost all utilization of ethanol for petrol blending in India generates through first-generation technology. This relies on food crops such as sugarcane, rice, and corn. India initiated ethanol-petrol blending as a pilot project in 2001, utilizing ethanol derived from sugarcane during sugar production. However, progress could have been more active.

Increasing requirements for ethanol in India

In January 2003, Ethanol Blended Petroleum (EBP) was introduced. In 2006, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas mandated the sale of 5% EBP in 20 states and four Union Territories. Since then, the storage capacity for ethanol has significantly expanded. This ranges from 53.9 million liters in 2017 to 344 million by November 2022, as per government data.

The utilization of ethanol blending has proven to be a lucrative venture for farmers. As evidenced by the transfer of approximately ₹81,796 crore ($9.85 billion) from oil marketing firms to sugar mills for ethanol. This is to settle outstanding debts owed to farmers. The program poised to procure surplus and damaged grains for ethanol production. Thereby aligning with the objectives of both farmers and the EBP.

 During the launch of the flex fuel Toyota Innova Hycross, Shri Nitin Gadkari expressed his appreciation for the program’s impact on farmers. Thus citing an increase in sugar cane cultivation due to the potential of ethanol. This announcement is a significant development for the farming community in India.

Automobiles possessing flex-fuel compatibility equips with engines capable of functioning on a diverse range of fuel types. These encompasses petrol and ethanol or methanol mixtures. The engine can adjust to any fuel ratio, owing to the presence of fuel composition sensors. Such vehicles can effectively utilize a blend comprising up to 85% ethanol and are currently available in Brazil, the United States, and Canada.

In what manner does Khaitan Bio Energy effectuate a distinction?

Khaitan Bio Energy has demonstrated a commitment to decarbonization by developing biofuels for the global economy. The company dedicates producing high-efficiency products for a green and circular economy. It has developed and holds multiple patents for technologies that significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions resulting from transportation fuels. Thereby contributing to the decarbonization of the mobility sector. The company’s ethanol production patent enables the conversion of economically viable cellulose to sugars. This is then utilized in 2nd-generation bioethanol technology. This technology has undergone rigorous development and testing. Thus resulting in a highly efficient and unique process that fully utilizes all components of lignocellulosic materials in the production of high-value products.

Introduction

Bioethanol, a renewable fuel derived from organic materials, has gained significant attention as a viable alternative to fossil fuels. Its potential to mitigate climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions has led to a growing demand for bioethanol production at a larger scale. However, scaling up bioethanol production presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities. This blog will explore the various aspects of scaling up bioethanol production, including feedstock availability, infrastructure requirements, technological advancements, policy support, and environmental sustainability.

Feedstock Availability and Sustainability:

One of the primary challenges in scaling up bioethanol production is ensuring a sustainable and reliable feedstock supply. Traditional feedstocks like corn and sugarcane may need to be improved due to competing demands for food production and land use conflicts. To overcome these challenges, diversification of feedstock sources becomes crucial.
A sustainable solution can be explored by exploring alternative feedstocks such as lignocellulosic biomass (agricultural residues, forest waste, and energy crops like switchgrass and miscanthus), algae, and dedicated energy crops. These abundant feedstocks do not compete with food production and can be grown on marginal lands, reducing the pressure on valuable agricultural resources. Additionally, implementing sustainable cultivation practices, such as precision agriculture and crop rotation, can enhance feedstock availability and minimize environmental impacts.

Infrastructure and Logistics:

Scaling up bioethanol production requires a robust infrastructure to handle feedstock processing, fermentation, distillation, and fuel distribution. Upgrading or establishing new facilities is necessary to accommodate increased production capacity. Adequate storage systems for both feedstocks and bioethanol, along with transportation networks, such as pipelines or dedicated bioethanol-compatible vehicles, are vital components of a well-functioning bioethanol industry.
Integration of bioethanol into the existing fuel distribution network also poses logistical challenges. Blending facilities, storage tanks, and fueling stations must be upgraded or retrofitted to accommodate the distribution of higher ethanol blends. Collaborative efforts between bioethanol producers, fuel retailers, and government agencies are crucial to ensure seamless integration and address potential infrastructure bottlenecks.

Technological Advancements:

Technological innovations are crucial in scaling up bioethanol production. Advancements in biomass conversion, fermentation processes, and enzyme systems contribute to improving production efficiency and reducing costs.
Optimizing pretreatment methods, which break down the complex structure of biomass, allows for a more efficient conversion of carbohydrates into fermentable sugars. Innovative fermentation techniques, such as simultaneous saccharification and co-fermentation (SSCF) or consolidated bioprocessing (CBP), enable converting various feedstock components into ethanol in a single step, enhancing overall process efficiency.
Investments in research and development are vital to developing cost-effective enzyme systems that efficiently convert biomass into sugars. Genetic engineering of microorganisms and yeasts can enhance their ability to ferment sugars into ethanol, resulting in higher yields and improved fermentation performance.
In addition to process innovations, incorporating automation, data analytics, and advanced control systems can optimize production processes, enabling real-time adjustments and resource optimization. Monitoring key parameters, such as temperature, pH, and fermentation progress, can ensure consistent and efficient bioethanol production.

Policy Support and Market Dynamics:

Policy frameworks and market dynamics significantly scale up bioethanol production. Supportive policies, such as renewable fuel standards and tax incentives, provide stability and predictability to the bioethanol industry. Long-term policy commitments encourage private sector investments and foster innovation.
Market dynamics, including stable and predictable demand for bioethanol, are essential for attracting investments in production capacity. Collaborations between bioethanol producers, fuel retailers, and vehicle manufacturers are crucial to drive market development and facilitate the transition to increased bioethanol consumption. Building partnerships and ensuring a coordinated approach among industry stakeholders and policymakers is vital for creating a thriving market for bioethanol.

Environmental Benefits and Sustainability:

Scaling up bioethanol production offers significant environmental benefits. Bioethanol is a renewable and low-carbon fuel, resulting in reduced greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuels. Increasing production and consumption can contribute to mitigation efforts of national and international climate change.
Moreover, the sustainability of bioethanol production is critical. Sustainable feedstock sourcing, including the use of non-food biomass and implementing sustainable cultivation practices, reduces the impact on ecosystems and biodiversity. Responsible land use planning and adherence to environmental regulations are essential to ensure the long-term sustainability of bioethanol production.

Challenges:

1. Feedstock Availability and Sustainability: One of the primary challenges in bioethanol production lies in securing a sustainable and abundant feedstock supply. Traditional feedstocks like corn and sugarcane can face limitations due to competition with food production and land-use conflicts. Ensuring the availability of alternative feedstocks, such as lignocellulosic biomass or algae, and implementing sustainable cultivation practices are essential for overcoming this challenge.
2. Infrastructure and Logistics : Scaling up bioethanol production requires substantial investments in infrastructure and logistics. Establishing efficient supply chains, including transportation and storage facilities, can be costly and time-consuming. Additionally, blending bioethanol with gasoline requires modifications to existing fuel distribution systems. Upgrading infrastructure and developing adequate logistical networks are critical challenges that must be addressed.
3. Technological Advancements: Technological advancements play a crucial role in improving the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of bioethanol production. Developing more efficient enzymes and microorganisms, optimizing pretreatment methods, and enhancing fermentation processes are ongoing challenges. Advancements in process automation, data analytics, and control systems can further optimize production and reduce operational costs.

Opportunities:

Sustainable Feedstock Innovation:

Exploring alternative feedstocks presents significant opportunities for bioethanol production. Research and development efforts focusing on lignocellulosic biomass, algae, and dedicated energy crops can improve feedstock availability and sustainability. Utilizing non-food biomass and optimizing cultivation practices can reduce the industry’s environmental impact and promote resource efficiency.

Policy Support and Market Expansion:

Supportive policies and market incentives are crucial for the growth of bioethanol production. Governments can play a vital role by implementing renewable fuel standards, providing tax incentives, and creating favourable regulatory frameworks. Stable policy environments encourage investments, foster innovation, and enhance market expansion.

Integration with Renewable Energy Systems:

Bioethanol production can be integrated with other renewable energy systems, such as solar and wind power, to create hybrid energy solutions. This integration allows for energy storage and grid stability, addressing the intermittent nature of some renewable sources. Exploring synergies between different renewable energy technologies offers further advancements and energy diversification opportunities.

Environmental and Climate Change Mitigation :

Bioethanol production offers significant environmental benefits by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change. The industry can capitalize on the increasing demand for sustainable and low-carbon energy sources. Investing in sustainable practices, such as responsible land use, minimizing water usage, and optimizing production processes, can further enhance the environmental sustainability of bioethanol production.

The challenges faced by the bioethanol industry are opportunities for growth and development. Overcoming feedstock availability and sustainability issues, improving infrastructure and logistics, and advancing technological innovations are crucial for scaling up bioethanol production. Policy support, market expansion, and integration with renewable energy systems provide additional avenues for industry growth.

By embracing these opportunities and addressing the challenges head-on, the bioethanol industry can solidify its position as a critical player in the renewable energy sector. Bioethanol production has the potential to contribute significantly to climate change mitigation, energy security, and a more sustainable future. It requires collaboration between governments, industry stakeholders, and research institutions to ensure bioethanol’s continued advancement and success as a renewable energy solution.

Conclusion

Scaling up bioethanol production is a complex but essential task in transitioning towards a more sustainable and renewable energy future. Overcoming challenges related to feedstock availability, infrastructure development, technological advancements, policy support, and environmental sustainability requires collaboration between industry, governments, and research institutions.
Exploring alternative feedstocks, improving infrastructure and logistics, and adopting advanced technologies can enhance bioethanol production efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Stable policy frameworks and market dynamics are crucial for attracting investments and creating a supportive environment for the bioethanol industry. Environmental benefits and sustainability considerations should remain at the forefront of bioethanol production, ensuring it remains a genuinely renewable and eco-friendly energy solution.
By addressing these challenges and seizing the opportunities, we can unlock the full potential of bioethanol as a scalable and sustainable renewable fuel, reducing our dependence on fossil fuels and mitigating the impacts of climate change.

Strategies in Bioethanol Production

As the world continues to seek sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels, bioethanol has emerged as a promising solution. Derived from biomass sources such as corn, sugarcane, and agricultural waste, bioethanol offers numerous environmental benefits while reducing dependence on non-renewable energy sources. To maximize its potential, the bioethanol industry must employ effective strategies throughout production. This blog will explore key challenges and strategies in bio ethanol production that can drive towards a sustainable future.

Feedstock Diversification:

One essential strategy for bioethanol production is diversifying feedstock sources. By utilizing non-food feedstocks such as lignocellulosic biomass, algae, and agricultural residues, the industry can reduce competition with food crops and enhance the overall sustainability of the production process. These alternative feedstocks offer abundant availability, reduce environmental impacts, and contribute to rural development.

Advanced Enzyme Technology:

Improving enzymatic hydrolysis, breaking down complex carbohydrates into simple sugars, is crucial for maximizing ethanol yields. Advanced enzyme technology plays a pivotal role in enhancing the efficiency of this conversion process. Continuous research and development efforts focus on discovering and engineering more effective, robust, and economically viable enzymes. These advancements can significantly improve the yield and cost-effectiveness of bioethanol production.

Process Optimization:

Optimizing the fermentation process is another key strategy to enhance bioethanol production. By carefully controlling factors such as temperature, pH, nutrient availability, and agitation, producers can create optimal conditions for yeast or other microorganisms to convert sugars into ethanol. Genetically modified yeast strains can enhance ethanol tolerance and productivity, resulting in higher yields and improved process economics.

Integrated Biorefineries:

The concept of integrated biorefineries combines bioethanol production with the generation of other valuable products from biomass. Integrated biorefineries can enhance process efficiency and profitability by maximizing the utilization of all biomass components, such as lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose. The co-production of bioethanol, biogas, biochemicals, and other value-added products improves resource utilization, reduces waste, and diversifies revenue streams.

Water and Energy Efficiency:

Efficient use of water and energy resources is crucial for sustainable bioethanol production. Implementing water recycling and reusing strategies can significantly reduce the water footprint of the process, mitigate water scarcity concerns, and minimize environmental impacts. Furthermore, integrating renewable energy sources, such as biomass combustion or solar power, can reduce reliance on fossil fuels, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance the overall environmental performance of bioethanol production.

Process Integration and Optimization:

Integration and optimization of various process steps are vital for improving bioethanol production’s overall efficiency and economics. Process integration involves identifying opportunities for waste heat recovery, co-product utilization, and energy-efficient design. Continuous research and development also focus on optimizing the entire production chain, including biomass pretreatment, fermentation, distillation, and purification processes. These efforts minimize energy consumption, reduce costs, and enhance overall process sustainability.

Policy Support and Collaboration:

Effective policies and regulatory frameworks play a significant role in driving the growth and sustainability of bioethanol production. Governments can provide incentives, subsidies, and mandates for biofuel blending, research and development, and infrastructure development. Collaborative efforts between industry stakeholders, academic institutions, and research organizations are crucial for sharing knowledge, promoting innovation, and addressing everyday challenges.

Overcoming the Challenges of Bioethanol Production for a Sustainable Future

Bioethanol is a renewable fuel source that offers numerous environmental benefits and reduces dependence on non-renewable energy sources. However, despite its promise, bioethanol production faces significant challenges that must be overcome to ensure its sustainability. In this blog, we will discuss the considerable challenges of bioethanol production and explore strategies to overcome them.

Feedstock Availability:

The availability and sustainability of feedstocks are significant concerns for bioethanol production. Most bioethanol is produced from food crops such as corn, sugarcane, and wheat, which compete with food production. Moreover, using food crops as feedstocks can contribute to deforestation, water scarcity, and soil degradation. Diversifying feedstocks to non-food crops, agricultural residues, and forest residues can reduce competition with food crops, enhance sustainability, and promote rural development.

Feedstock Processing:

Another major challenge in bioethanol production is processing feedstocks into simple sugars. Cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin are complex polymers requiring physical and chemical treatments to convert them into simple sugars. These treatments, such as mechanical and chemical pretreatment, can be costly, energy-intensive, and environmentally challenging. Developing innovative and sustainable technologies for feedstock pretreatment can enhance the efficiency of bioethanol production.

Fermentation Efficiency:

Fermentation is a crucial step in bioethanol production, where microorganisms such as yeast convert simple sugars into ethanol. However, fermentation efficiency can be affected by factors such as temperature, pH, nutrient availability, and inhibitory compounds in the feedstock. These factors can reduce ethanol yield, increase production costs, and impact environmental performance. Optimizing fermentation conditions, using genetically modified yeast strains, and developing new technologies can improve fermentation efficiency and reduce production costs.

Water and Energy Use:

Bioethanol production is energy-intensive and requires significant amounts of water and energy. Producing one gallon of ethanol can require up to three gallons of water, while the energy consumption can be as high as 30% of the final product’s energy content. Additionally, bioethanol production relies on fossil fuels, which can offset the environmental benefits of bioethanol. Implementing water recycling and reuse, reducing energy consumption through process optimization, and using renewable energy sources such as biomass combustion or solar power can enhance the environmental performance of bioethanol production.

Co-Product Utilization:

Bioethanol production generates several co-products, such as distiller grains, which are high-protein animal feed. However, utilizing these co-products can be challenging due to their composition, storage, and transportation. Developing markets and value chains for co-products, such as the production of biochemicals, bioplastics, or biomaterials, can enhance the economic viability of bioethanol production and reduce waste.

Policy Support:

Effective policies and regulatory frameworks can significantly promote the growth and sustainability of bioethanol production. Governments can provide incentives, subsidies, and mandates for biofuel blending, research and development, and infrastructure development. Moreover, effective policies can address environmental, social, and economic concerns related to bioethanol production.

Conclusion

Bioethanol production offers a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. However, it is essential to ensure sustainability by overcoming the challenges of feedstock availability, feedstock processing, fermentation efficiency, water and energy use, co-product utilization, and policy support. Developing innovative and sustainable technologies, optimizing processes, and promoting collaborative efforts between industry stakeholders and policymakers can enhance the viability and sustainability of bioethanol production.

Conclusion:

The strategies outlined above highlight the potential for bioethanol production to significantly contribute to a sustainable energy future. By diversifying feedstocks, leveraging advanced enzyme technology, optimizing processes,

Sustainability is the capability to endure. Sustainability is the long-standing maintenance of welfare that has social, economic, and environmental measures. Also it covers the idea of union, a mutually dependency, and interlinking with every living and non-living thing on earth. This theoretical understanding moves well beyond definitions driven by growth-oriented economic perceptions for the challenges and opportunities for achieving sustainability. This consider humans as offering stewardship, the responsible resource management.

Most of the organizations experience several challenges to achieve environmental sustainability internally and externally. These challenges should addressed by applying opportunities that are available and accessible to these organizations.

The environmental issues on earth have extended radically in the past decades, and they are currently among the main threats and challenges which impact people’s lifestyles and organisational processes worldwide.

All businesses have felt these effects, but usually, under-developed countries carry the highest weight. Our primary goal in this paper is to discuss the trends, opportunities and challenges associated with environmental sustainability, primarily in industries and organisations.

Environmental Sustainability Challenges

Innovation-based scenario

Considerable vitality and rapid growth rates illustrate several markets in developing divisions and innovative companies or organizations. Organizations or businesses in these industries may control their environmental change or effect by creating resourceful ecological policies. This approach without implementing efficient environmental administration structures is the main challenge for reaching sustainability.

However, the rate of market development can counterbalance the environmental effectiveness and achievements the firm is getting. When sales increase fast, enhancements in environmental effectiveness happened quicker than market growth to get total environmental gains or advantages.

This is a significant challenge that several industries and organisations must pass through when they migrate from domestic to international markets or from minor to mass markets. Product, development, and business form innovations contribute significantly to harmonising growth.

High-risk scenario

The situations of minimal manageability and minimal development rates of the market proposed a condition where environmental sustainability is a complex challenge. This is an instance of erosion directives, air standard guidelines, climate directives, and condition services, such as fisheries, tourism, etc. The difficulty derives partially from the point that these gains are mutually created. Also from the fact that they are all spatially and partly unconnected to the organisation and industry structure.

Consequently, new green global authority needs to advance this challenges by engaging several organisations from varied institutional fields, including science, economics, politics, etc. For example, companies like PepsiCo Inc have been following an international policy on environmental sustainability. Some companies have decreased energy and water usage to decrease greenhouse discharge and reduce packaging and waste cost.

Climate Change

Climate change caused by human activities and its impacts on international development is an element of the broader challenge of attaining environmental sustainability. It needs a change of the process, amount of output, supply, and usage.

Since the international economy is factually unsustainable currently and cannot take in more economical. As increase in population also cause severe hazards of global destabilization or deterioration. The population rise directly cause increasing greenhouse discharges and their effects, the areas exploiting for goods and services prices, raised water shortage, increased oil prices, and so forth.

Environmental Sustainability Opportunities

Energy Efficiency

Industries and organisations have a technology that has considerably reduced non-renewable energy needs in housing. This sustainability trend sometimes achievable to build entirely passive houses that do not depend on all active systems for environmental management.

Enhancement to energy effectiveness engages decisions concerning the construction services and envelope. This can be either mechanical or electrical. Presently, insulation degrees in almost all housings are under the best possible levels, and related environmental changes continue to rise.

Glazing technologies provide industries and organisations such as Barclays banks enough opportunities to go considerably above their performance. Also the total price of developments, if minimal, matches up to future substitution required by elevating energy prices.

Industries must invest in renewable energy technologies. Because they have the possible environmental standard and stand for an opportunity to create or produce future incomes. Renewable energy that abides by dependable environmental quality is usually called Green Power. In order to differentiate it from other renewable resources which engages major ecological concerns such as the James Bay project .

Durability

Enhancing the durability decreases frequent incarnate energy and expenses related to protection, repair and replacement. Thus helps in attaining envelope durability in the durations of cold climate interprets into massive degrees of thermal insulation. However it is located outboard of the system or organisation.

Durable ends, fittings, machines and equipment must be chosen to balance the service life of the housing arrangement and envelope. Else the housing or building as a system will face challenges related to disparity durability.

Adaptability & Flexibility

Several industries, organisations, or business housings are destroyed since they grow outmoded and cannot efficiently contain new uses. Many reconstruction finances undergo consumption by issues linked to nonflexible and maladaptive housing systems.

Adaptability and flexibility reflections in housing systems need an assessment of widespread typology, which states the essentials of function and form while relating to the peculiarities of cultural position and temporal tenancy. An evaluation of these housing forms, which have provided various recreation series, offers an appealing difference to several current testing experiments.

Conclusion

Environmental sustainability has been the primary concern of governments, organisations and industries since it dramatically affects their process. To ensure environmental sustainability, stability is necessary between the protection of the ecological system, growth of the economy and safety of the social and cultural welfare of the people.

Business organisations may have advantages from environmental sustainability to a higher level. This will decrease dangerous effects on land, water, and air and assist them in adhering to statutory requirements.

Developed and underdeveloped countries are attending to climate change and the future environment, which has be essential for companies to integrate this impression into sustainability policies.

What is a Flex-Fuel?

Flex or flexible fuel is an alternative renewable fuel with a combination of petrol and different types of concentrated ethanol or methanol. Extraction of bioethanol is from sugar or residual crops or other multiple biomass. Flex fuel vehicle is the alternative fuel adaptive vehicle. Flex Fuel Vehicles (FFV) have spread throughout the automotive industry during the past 20 years and offer customers a fuel choice other than traditional gasoline.

What to know about Flex Fuel

E10

‘E10’ fuel is about 5 to 10 per cent ethanol-petrol blend. Currently, most vehicles manufactured after 2008 can support E10 without much difficulty. In 2008, The Society of Indian automobile manufacturers (SIAM) set up fuel material compatibility countermeasures for the vehicles manufactured from 2008 onwards.

E15

Any Flex Fuel vehicles or vehicles 2001 model year and newer are approved to use E15. Motorcycles, heavy-duty vehicles, motorsport vehicles and vehicles older than 2001 are not authorised to use E15. The EPA has approved another blend, E15, in all light-duty cars since 2001. Manufacturers responsible for nearly 95% of U.S. light-duty vehicle sales endorse the use of E15 in their model year 2022 automobiles, according to a review of owner’s manuals by the trade group RFA.

E25

E25 contains 25% ethanol. This blend has been widely used in Brazil since the late 1970s. In 2022, BMW and Mini go a step further by approving the use of gasoline containing up to 25% ethanol (E25) in the latest model.

E85

E85 is a gasoline-ethanol blend containing between 51% to 85% ethanol. It depends on the season and geographic region of the distributor. E85 sold during colder months often has lower levels of ethanol to produce the vapour pressure necessary for starting the engine in cold temperatures.

E98

E98, 98% ethanol, is a popular fuel for some types of race cars. Consistency of the energy is also paramount as most ethanol available at the retail dispensers can contain 70-90% ethanol. The stoichiometric ratio for ethanol is 9.0:1. E98 can be used as a race fuel or blended with other gasoline to make the desired ethanol concentration. This product is designed to meet ASTM standard D4806 standard specification for Denatured Fuel Ethanol for blending with gasoline.

Compatible Vehicle (Flex Fuel Vehicle)

• Flex-fuel vehicles with modified internal combustion engines using traditional petrol with ethanol blends (E85) are usually the most compatible.
• There is another alternative A badge with Flex-Fuel on the vehicle’s rear that may indicate it is compatible with the alternative fuel.
• Having a yellow gas cap is a good indication that the car can use flex fuel. A sure sign would be a cape-less fuel filler with a yellow ring around the nozzle, which signals E85.
• Using any octane level of gasoline in a flex-fuel vehicle is acceptable. The sensors in an FFV detect whether the fuel is pure gasoline or 85% ethanol. It then makes necessary changes for optimal fuel injection and timing of combustion.
• Putting E85 in a car not designed for flexible fuel can be harmful. Always refer to the owner’s manual for specifications on fuel to use in your vehicle.
• Technically, the first FFV was Henry Ford’s Model T in 1908, as it used an adjustable carburettor and could run on gasoline, ethanol, or both. From a modern standpoint, however, one of the first Flex Fuel vehicles that could run on E85 was the mid-to-late ‘90s Ford Taurus, following Ford’s experimental M85 methanol-powered vehicles.
• A few examples of new vehicles with an FFV option include the 2020 Ford Transit Connect Transit Wagon LWB, 2020 Chevrolet Impala, 2020 Ford F-150, 2019 Ford Escape, 2019 Chrysler 300, 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA240 4MATIC, as well as several other Fords, Chevrolets, GMCs, Toyotas, Nissans, Rams, and Dodges.

Implementation

Brazil

Brazil has the world’s largest and most successful biofuel programs, involving ethanol fuel production from sugarcane. It is also considered the world’s first sustainable biofuel economy. In 2006 Brazilian ethanol provided 18% of the country’s road transport sector fuel consumption needs. Brazilian ethanol fuel production in 2011 was 21.1 billion litres (5.6 billion U.S. liquid gallons), down from 26.2 million litres (6.9 billion gallons) in 2010. A supply shortage took place for several months during 2010 and 2011. The prices climbed to the point that ethanol fuel was no longer attractive for owners of flex-fuel vehicles. The government then reduced the minimum ethanol blend in gasoline to reduce demand and keep ethanol fuel prices from rising further. Hence, ethanol fuel import dependency has been dependent on the united states.

US

The United States produces and consumes more ethanol fuel than any other country. Ethanol used as a fuel dates back to Henry Ford, who, in 1896, designed his first car, the “Quadricycle”, to run on pure ethanol. Most vehicles on the road today in the U.S. can run on blends of up to 10% ethanol. Motor vehicle manufacturers already produce cars that run on much higher ethanol blends. In 2007 Portland, Oregon, became the first city in the country to mandatorily sales to be at least 10% ethanol within city limits. But in recent years, many cities also projected the necessity of ethanol blends due to non-attainment of federal air quality goals.

Europe

Bioethanol consumption in Europe is the largest in Sweden, France and Spain. Germany’s bioethanol market vanished entirely after the removal of federal tax incentives in 2015. Europe produces equivalent to 90% of its consumption (2006). Germany had about 70% of its consumption, Spain 60% and Sweden 50% (2006). There are 792 E85 filling stations in Sweden, and in France, 131 E85 service stations, with 550 more under construction.

China

China is promoting ethanol-based fuel on a pilot basis in five cities in its central and northeastern regions. It is to create a new market for its surplus grain and reduce petroleum consumption. Under the program, Henan will promote ethanol-based fuel across the province by the end of this year. Officials say the move is of great importance in helping to stabilise grain prices, raise farmers’ income and reduce petrol-induced air pollution.

Thailand

Thailand already uses a large scale of 10% ethanol (E10) in the local market and selling E20 in 2008, and by year-end, only two gas stations were functional with selling E85. Some of the cassava stock held by the government is now converted into fuel ethanol. Cassava-based ethanol production is being ramped up to help manage the agricultural outputs of both cassava and sugar cane. With its abundant biomass resources, the fuel ethanol program will be a new means of job creation in rural areas while enhancing the balance sheet of fuel imports.

India

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, ‘Nitin Gadkari, has emphasised the adoption of alternative fuels, which will be import substitutes, cost-effective, pollution-free, indigenous, and discourage the use of Petrol or diesel. During an event held on 20 October 2021, The minister assured the media regarding the government’s influence on all vehicle manufacturers to make flex-fuel engines under the Euro VI emission norms in the next six-eight months.

Current Scenario

In the US, only two automakers, Ford and General Motors offer the FFVs model in the year 2022. ’11’ 2022 models will be available as FFVs, with the four GM offerings sold only to fleet purchasers. According to the Renewable Fuels Association, that’s down from more than 80 different models from eight manufacturers, available to consumers as recently as the model year 2015. In India, On Tuesday, Toyota began pilot-testing its Corolla Altis flex fuel hybrid car. The sedan, imported from Toyota Brazil, is powered by flex-fuel technology, which allows the engine to run on fuel blended with a higher percentage of ethanol, reducing gasoline consumption, along with a hybrid powertrain.

Future

Flex fuel might be new to India, But it has been used in other countries since the 1990s. Brazil, the USA, Canada, and Sweden are some countries that have a significant flex-fuel user base. Car manufacturers that produce cars for this market could offer flex-fuel vehicles by next year to comply with proposed government regulations. Implementing Flex Fuel sooner would reduce the country’s pollution and decrease the import margin. But current investment in electric powertrains by different companies would ensure difficulty in the sooner implementation of flex fuels.

The first World Energy Day was on July 11 of 1924. Over 1700 experts from 40 countries marked that energy issues can influence growth and the future of mankind and accept that a permanent world energy organization should be established. It is celebrated world wide to make sure access to economical, reliable and contemporary energy for all by 2030. It is marks the important role in leading economic growth, human development and environmental sustainability.

In 2012 World Energy was created by the World Energy Forum and has been celebrated each year since October 22. The objectives of World Energy Day are to raise awareness about energy usage and ensure the safe and green energy for all people. It also targets on reducing carbon emission .

It aims to raise awareness of the importance of saving natural resources for climate change, environmental protection, and sustainability. All these elements contribute to increasing energy sustainability and efficiency.

The 2022 motto is “Energy transition – full speed ahead!”. This will include discussions on the far reaching transformation of policies and technologies for achieving climate neutrality and how to raise the pace of change. Thus World Energy Day aims to raise the importance of saving our natural resources for sustainability. All these contribute to increase energy efficiency as of the report from Sub-Saharan Africa.Here most of the people gains access to electric power has begun to outrun population growth recently.

The main objectives of World Energy Day

From the beginning, World Energy Day was a good chance to raise awareness about the importance of saving natural resources. Eventually, topics like sustainability, climate change, conservation and efficiency are all part of this ongoing conversation. But energy access for all has taken on an important priority since an estimated 900+ million are living without energy access today.

Ensuring the affordability of sustainable energy for everyone by identifying the need for developing national policies to consider a shared global energy perspective. The objectives also strengthen policies to execute and develop mechanisms to exchange experience between various countries through the world. This includes encouraging the development of resources to run after the common good of everyone by continuing the wise use of fossil fuels in the world economy.

Energy efficiency and its importance

Saving energy, improving efficiency, and conservation are the factors use to explain ways we can lower our overall energy consumption. There are several reasons why we would do this in order to use energy most efficiently:

• Lower the cost of energy 
• Reduce the threat to the environment and thus save our natural resources
• The worst predicted influence of climate change are about to happen — and much faster than climatologist expected. Climate change is the major problem,but there’s a lot we should do about it in our day to day life. Individual actions to lower greenhouse gas emissions can help reduce climate change.

An international lead for universal energy access

Innovations in decentralize energy systems permits the problem of energy access to notify. The IEA report states the people without access to electric power fell to 1.1 billion down from 1.6 billion. Now a days India is leading , focussing to reach complete electrification 10 years than the target set under the UN Sustainable Development Goals .

West makes the conversion from fossil fuels to renewable energy, an estimated 1.1 billion people through out the world. But the most of them in sub-Saharan Africa, are without access to electricity still. To spot this day, KhaitanBioEnergy look at the needs to be done in investment of technology to make universal access to energy a reality.

How can we achieve it? 

Developed countries have not observed consistent and reliable electricity a luxury for some time now. With many observing consistent electricity, it is an intolerable fact that there remain areas with irregular access to electricity. Reliable energy is the main driver of human progress. Acquiring electricity makes communities guarded, helps small businesses survive and even flourish.Also powers necessary services such as schools and clinics.

 By providing a good environment for investments, innovations and new industries that incentivize growth and provide jobs for developing economies. The government’s immense efforts over the last decades have put it on of the main success stories ever in electrification.

Subsequently, authorities have used solar, energy storage batteries and LED lighting to supply 80% of previously unconnected villages with power.

Some countries are still without electricity.

The IEA estimates that supplying electricity for all by 2030 will need an annual investment of $52 billion. The extra investment, 95% needs to be spent to sub-Saharan Africa. South Sudan with the least level of electricity access in the world. Utility organisations in developing countries often cannot pay for to hook small, scattered rural communities up to the grid. Same way, high connection costs for informal housing and the effect of power theft on services are unaccompanied by electricity.

About 110 million of the 600 million people living without access to electicity in Africa . In Kenya, approximately 70% of off-grid homes are within just 1.2 KM of a power line.

Moreover, even in resource-rich Europe, the European Union (EU) about 50 million people lack from energy , whereas they hardly heat their homes and finds utility bills in time.

Can renewable energy sufficient for energy gap?

Of the 1.2 billion people have gained access to electricity since 2000, nearly all have done so via connection to the main grid, with 70% getting access to power generated from fossil fuels . Recently the number of people gaining access to electric power in Sub-Saharan Africa starts to outrun population growth.

However declining costs for solar power, decentralized solutions, off-grid and mini-grid systems etc results electrifying sub-Saharan Africa that helps to achieve with clean energy.

Nowadays, renewables have been the source of over one-third of new connections, while decentralized renewables are the source of 6% of new electricity access.

The World Energy Council expects solar and wind to rise from 4% globally in 2016 to 42% in 2060. Moreover, renewables have provided more than a third , IEA expects this shift to accelerate by 2030. It should be noted that providing energy access for all would not result in a net increase in global greenhouse gas emissions. Energy demand and related CO2 emissions would only increase by around 0.2%. This would be more than offset by net GHG reductions resulting from reduced use of biomass for cooking.

Achieving universal energy access

The solution to electrifying detached communities lies in the deployment of decentralized and renewable energy sources. Mini- and off-grid systems provide communities agency over their energy utilization and independence from the main grid, while renewables are becoming highly inexpensive and thus more viable for smaller, developing sites.

Increased investment into these technologies is integral to currently unelectrified homes receiving affordable and reliable power. According to the IEA report, universal electrification would require an annual investment of $52bn, representing more than twice the level mobilized under present norms. 

Of the additional investment, 95% needs to focus on sub-Saharan Africa. Detail geospatial modelling suggests that decentralized systems, led by solar photovoltaic in off-grid systems and mini-grids, are the cheapest method for 3 quarters of the extra connections needed in sub-Saharan Africa.

About a $350m electrification program in Nigeria is expected to attract $410m in private investment and create a market for mini and off-grid energy solutions. Based on this scheme, the Nigerian Rural Electrification Agency is mapping more than 200 sites for mini-grid development.

The extreme global temperatures and weather conditions caused by climate change have led nations across the world to step up clean energy efforts. With technological innovations causing prices of solutions such as wind and solar to dip and installations to soar. However, despite renewables’ growing grasp of the energy market, the industry still faces the problem of universal energy access.

To mark World Energy Day, KhaitanBioEnergy looks at global energy access and the measures underway to improve it. However, authorities need to do much more work if the target of universal electrification is to be obtain by 2030.

On this World Energy Day, let’s pledge to help build a sustainable future for the future generations . India provides a key example of a nation working to rapidly electrify. The Modi government pledged to electrify every home in the region by December 31 2018, under an INR163 bn (US$2.5bn) scheme known as ‘Saubhagya Yojana. Since then, authorities have supplied 80% of previously unconnected villages with power, using solar energy storage batteries and LED lighting.

What is synthetic fuel

What is synthetic fuel?

A liquid fuel not from natural crude oil is a synthetic fuel, and synthetic fuels are artificial alternatives to conventional gasoline or diesel. In its simplest form, a synthetic fuel combines hydrogen and carbon atoms to form a compound known as an alkene — usually Ethene, which consists two carbon atoms and four hydrogen atoms.

Nevertheless, there is much variance in how individual companies go about obtaining to an end product that could be pump into the fuel tank of vehicles. Some synthetic fuels use mind-bending chemical processes, and others start as a literal load of old garbage.

 Modern transportation fuels demand uniform physical properties from varying feedstocks with chemical compositions mainly synthesized from petroleum or other fossil fuels. 

 The term gasoline implies that many components are synthesizing using cracking or reforming techniques. Thus, gasoline is rather than synthetic fuel, and reformulate gasoline contains a more significant fraction of petroleum molecules. 

Fuels from oil sands and heavy oil come under the same term as petroleum-based fuels. Liquid fuels from coal, peat, natural gas, and oil shale are synthetic fuels. Renewable biomass from photosynthesis gets converted into a variety of synthetic fuels. Coal gasification and natural gas reforming are sources of synthesis gas. That is a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide(CO), the essentials for producing synthetic fuels.

How is it made?

  Independent of origin, Ethanol, methanol, and biodiesel comes under the term synthetic fuel. Coal gasification and natural gas reforming are sources of synthesis gas, a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide.

To understand the manufacturing of renewable synthetic fuels, firstly, you must understand what fossil fuels are. They consist of a large number of various hydrocarbon molecules.

The key to component synthetic fuels is syngas. Syngas is a mixture of hydrogen (H) and carbon monoxide, and it is essential to produce liquid hydrocarbon fuel like jet fuel, diesel, or gasoline. Turning syngas into fuel is a confirmed industrial process, using coal and natural gas as feedstocks, which is not sustainable. So that is precisely where the challenge lies: producing sustainable syngas. This production requires a large amount of energy, and to produce it sustainably, it needs to come from a renewable resource like biomass, solar, wind or hydro.

Synthetic fuels can be created via several different processes. One of these processes is coal liquefaction. Usually, this process generates large amounts of carbon dioxide, making it a wrong alternative to conventional fuels.

However, it is also possible to create synthetic fuels through a method that captures carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This technique is receiving appreciation and investment from car makers and other industries.

The process works like this:

1. Obtain Carbon dioxide either directly from the atmosphere or industrial plants. Various methods exist for these processes.
2. Renewable energy sources are avail to produce hydrogen. This can use to power hydrogen cars. 
3. Then, hydrogen and carbon dioxide combine into synthetic methanol, which can then be convert into synthetic petrol and diesel.

 

Process :

The processes used to generate synthetic fuels broadly fall into three divisions: Indirect, Direct and Biofuel processes.

Indirect conversion

This type of conversion has the broadest deployment worldwide. About 260,000 barrels per day are produced by this method.

Indirect conversion broadly attributes to a step in which biomass, coal or natural gas converts to syngas through gasification or steam methane reformation. Then the syngas undergoes many processes and then converted into a liquid transportation fuel using any conversion techniques depending on the end product.

The primary technologies that produce synthetic fuel from syngas are Fischer–Tropsch synthesis and process is Methanol-To-Gasoline conversion( MTG). In the Fischer–Tropsch process, syngas act in the presence of a catalyst, transforming into liquid products and potential waxes.

The process of generating synfuels through indirect conversion is coal-to-liquids (CTL), gas-to-liquid (GTL) or (BTL), depending on the initial feedstock. Some projects combine coal and biomass feedstocks, creating hybrid-feedstock synthetic fuels called Coal and Biomass To Liquids (CBTL).

Indirect conversion process technologies are available to produce hydrogen, mainly for use in fuel cell vehicles, either as a slipstream co-product or as a primary output.

 

Direct conversion 

Direct conversion means coal or biomass feedstocks converts straightly into intermediate or final products, thus avoiding conversion to syngas via gasification. These conversion processes are of two different methods: Pyrolysis & carbonization and hydrogenation.

Biofuel processes

One example of a Biofuel-based synthetic fuel process is Hydrotreated Renewable Jet (HRJ) fuel. There are different types of these processes under development, testing and certification process for HRJ aviation fuels is beginning.

There are two such processes. One using solid biomass feedstocks and one using bio oil and fats. The process uses solid second-generation biomass sources like grass or woody biomass. It then uses pyrolysis to produce a bio-oil, which undergoes stabilization and deoxygenation to produce jet-range fuel. The process then undergoes deoxygenation, followed by hydrocracking and isomerization to produce jet fuel.

The primary source of synthetic fuel

Generally, there are three methods for the production of renewable syngas. Furthermore, eventually, eco-friendly synthetic fuels are known as biofuels. These are mainly from biomass, e fuels- produced with renewable electricity, and solar fuels- manufactured with solar heat. All three methods mainly go through syngas, a combination of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The syngas then turns into liquid fuels via industrial gas-to-liquid processes. These three methods are called Biomass-to-Liquid, Power-to-Liquid, and Sun-to-Liquid, respectively.

Biomass-to-Liquid produces biofuels

Even though several processes exist to change biomass into liquid fuels, the most scalable and versatile in terms of feedstock unergoes the gasification of biomass. Specifically, biomass changes at high temperatures into syngas. The heat input needed to drive the process is usually created by burning a part of the biomass. Feedstocks can be crops such as sugar cane, corn waste(stubble) biomass, or algae. Biofuels are the only form of renewable synthetic fuels that are readily available on the market in small quantities. 

Even though several processes exist to convert biomass into liquid fuels, the most scalable and most versatile in terms of feed stock goes through the gasification of biomass. Specifically biomass converts at high temperatures into syngas. The heat input require to drive the process is usually generated by burning a part of the biomass itself. Feedstocks can be any crops such as sugar cane or corn waste(stubble) biomass or algae. Biofuels are the only type of renewable synthetic fuels that are already available on the market in small quantities.

Power-to-Liquid produces e-fuels

E-fuels are produced from renewable powers such as solar, wind, or hydro power. The Power-to-Liquid process depends on a series of energy conversion steps. Firstly renewable electricity is generated which then drives an electrolyzer that splits water in hydrogen and oxygen. Next, the hydrogen is mixed with carbon dioxide and turned into syngas via the reverse water gas shift (RWGS) reaction .It is a process that conducts at high temperatures and driven with electricity. E-fuels can be produced with any type of renewable electricity. However, electricity storage for continuous operation remains a challenge.Hence it limits the application to few regions with an extraordinarily cheap and continuous renewable electricity supply .On the other hand it requires the integration of expensive battery technology for its working.

Sun-to-Liquid produces solar fuels

Solar fuels obtaining from solar heat that drives a thermochemical reactor. In this reactor, carbon dioxide and water are convers to syngas. Just like e-fuels, solar fuels are not yet available on the market. Sunny regions offer ideal conditions for the production of solar fuels, mainly deserts and semi-arid regions with high solar radiation. The solar heat during the day can store by inexpensive thermal energy storage to enable energy cycle of the production of fuels. Storage makes solar fuel plants self-sufficient and independent from any framework.

Why synthetic fuel necessary in future energy systems

It is clear that the benefits to energy systems from the stores of fossil fuel-based energy will not be able to replace without some other form of fuel-based energy storage. All energy systems have benefited from the stored chemical energy intrinsic in fossil fuels that has allowed a decoupling of primary energy supplies from the final use demand on a grand scale. Despite the fact that synthetic fuels are expensive, if policy makers wish to encourage them to grow in market share, then they could consider providing protected markets for them to compete within. Also to provide subsidies, or by costing fossil fuels with a carbon price that helps to close the cost gap.

The creation of synthetic fuels also provides a highly dispatchable demand to help integrate greater levels of weather-dependent renewables, which will be increasingly desirable in future energy systems that rely on primary electricity from renewables to a much greater degree.

The question simply put is not whether we will continue to need fuels in future energy systems, but the type of fuels that will be suitable in a highly eco-friendly.