19-May-2023: Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) using indigenous feedstock, Make in India technology is a major step towards self-reliance and de-carbonization of the aviation sector
Union Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Housing & Urban Affairs Shri Hardeep Singh Puri emphasised on the need of India becoming energy Atmanirbhar by 2047, in line with the clear mandate being set by the Hon’ble Prime Minister. “It goes without saying that the petroleum sector will have to contribute immensely to realize this vision”, added Shri Puri. He was addressing the august gathering comprising the Captains from the industry and media fraternity, in New Delhi today. Shri Pankaj Jain, Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas was also present on the occasion.
In a significant development towards decarbonizing of the aviation sector, India’s first commercial passenger flight using indigenously produced Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blend was successfully flown earlier today. Air Asia flight (I5 767) flew from Pune to Delhi powered by SAF blended aviation turbine fuel (ATF) produced by Praj Industries Ltd by using indigenous feedstock, supplied by Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. and used by Air Asia. The Hon’ble Minister received this special flight at the airport.
Describing the occasion as a significant milestone in the country's efforts towards Net Zero emissions by 2070, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri said, “I am glad to witness this historic occasion and receive the first commercial flight fuelled by SAF blended ATF. This would be the First domestic commercial passenger flight with SAF blending up to 1% as demonstration mode”. “By 2025, if we target to blend 1% SAF blending in Jet fuel, India would require around 14 crore litre of SAF/annum. More ambitiously, if we target for 5% SAF blend, India required around 70 crore litre of SAF/ annum”, the Minister informed.
Congratulating the home grown giants in their respective sectors, IndianOil, Air Asia, and Praj Industries, Shri Puri reiterated the vision of the Hon’ble Prime Minister for an Atmanirbhar Bharat by developing indigenous solutions to mitigate the environmental impact of aviation and pave the way for the widespread adoption of SAF in India. Shri S M Vaidya, Chairman, IndianOil; Mr. Shishir Joshipura, CEO and MD, Praj Industries and Shri Aloke Singh, Managing Director, AirAsia were also present on the occasion.
Highlighting the need of alternative and sustainable fuel sources, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri said, “In the recent years SAF production technology has progressed significantly. Unlike traditional jet fuels, SAF is produced from renewable sources such as agricultural waste, municipal solid waste, and forestry residues. This means that SAF has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional jet fuel”.
With a focussed vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, the Petroleum Minister said, “Production of SAF using sugarcane molasses as indigenous feedstock and technology in India is a major step towards self-reliance and de-carbonization of the aviation sector in line with our commitment for achieving Net Zero by 2070. To achieve Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs, i.e., commitment to reduce Emissions Intensity of its GDP by 45 percent by 2030, from 2005 level) today, India is one of the strongest voices in the world for energy transition, and alternative energy, such as Biofuels”, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri added.
Throwing light on the Civil Aviation sector in India Mr. Hardeep Singh Puri said that it consumes around 8 million tons of ATF and emitted around 20 million tons of GHGs in 2019 (pre-COVID). “India has feedstock for potential production of 19 to 24 million tons of SAF per year, whereas the estimated maximum requirement of SAF in India, considering 50% blend, is around 8 to 10 million tons per year by 2030”.
Talking on the historical day the Petroleum Minister spoke with a sense of pride, “Using Indigenous biological feedstock (Sugarcane molasses) will not only boost rural economy but also help farmers to get additional income. By 1% SAF blending, more than 5 lakhs farmers get benefitted by supplying sugarcane as feedstock. Additionally, more than 1 lakh green jobs will be generated”. This Atmanirbhar step can bring a remarkable change by turning India into an International SAF hub, he added.
8-Dec-2022: Energy Storage Technology
The Government agrees that in the initial phase of adoption of energy storage technologies, market mechanisms and innovative economic models will be required for development and deployment of energy storage technologies which would be most beneficial to the country in the long-term.
The following initiatives have been taken to promote growth of energy storage technologies:
- Legal status for Energy Storage Systems (ESS) has been issued by Ministry of Power (MoP) on 29th January 2022 wherein ESS has been designated as a Power System element which can be utilized as a Generator, Transmission or Distribution element.
- Energy Storage Obligation trajectory till 2029-30 has been notified by Ministry of Power vide Order dated 22nd July 2022.
- Waiver of ISTS Charges on Hydro Pumped Storage Projects (PSP) and BESS Projects, commissioned up to 30.06.2025, has been provided vide order dated 23rd November 2021. The waiver shall be applicable for a period of 25 years for Hydro PSP and for a period of 12 years for BESS, or for a period subsequently notified for future projects by the Central Government from the date of commissioning of the power plant.
- Revised Scheme for Flexibility in Generation and Scheduling of Thermal/ Hydro Power Stations through bundling with Renewable Energy and Storage Power has been notified vide order dated 12th April 2022.
- Bidding Guidelines for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) have been notified by MoP vide Resolution dated 10th March 2022.
- Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), a PSU under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has recently concluded the bidding process for setting up of Pilot Projects of 500 MW/1000 MWh Standalone BESS under Tariff-Based Global Competitive Bidding (ESS-I) at Fatehgarh III Substation of PowerGrid.
27-Nov-2022: Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh says, India taking steps for development of Small Modular Reactors (SMR), with up to 300 MW capacity to fulfill its commitment to Clean Energy transition
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh today said, India is taking steps for development of Small Modular Reactors (SMR), with up to 300 MW capacity to fulfill its commitment to Clean Energy transition.
In his address to a Workshop on Small Modular Reactors (SMR) organized by NITI Aayog and Department of Atomic Energy, Dr Jitendra Singh said, the participation of private sector and Start-ups needs to be explored in development of this critical technology within India. He emphasized that technology sharing and availability of funding are the two crucial links for ensuring commercial availability of SMR technology.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, the exploration of new clean energy options is in tune with Prime Minister Modi’s roadmap for clean energy transition through bold climate commitments which are reflected in our updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
Dr Jitendra Singh pointed out that as we have already taken steps for clean energy transition with penetration of non-fossil based energy resources and achieving net-zero by 2070, nuclear in terms of base load power can play a big role in the de-carbonization strategy. It is in this context that the role of nuclear energy will be critical for clean energy transition of not just India but for the entire world, the Minister added.
Small Modular Reactors (SMR), with up to 300 MW capacity by nature are flexible in design and require smaller footprint. Being mobile and agile technology, SMR can be factory-built unlike the conventional nuclear reactors that are built on–site. Thus, SMRs offers significant savings in cost and construction time. SMR is a promising technology in industrial de-carbonization especially where there is a requirement of reliable and continuous supply of power. It is said that SMR is simpler and safer as compared to large nuclear plants.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, an impressive number of measures have been taken to promote renewable energy in the country and India today stands at number four in the RE installed capacity across the world, after China, Europe and United States. He added that these measures also conform to the Prime Minister’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat goal, where India contributes significant value to global value chain.
It must be noted that India, comprising 17% of the world population has seen its primary energy growing at rate of 4% during the last decade, almost double the global growth rate of 1.3%. However, by historical standards, our share in global emissions is less than 5%.