Science & Technology Minister, Dr Jitendra Singh announced the launch of the ‘Innovation Roadmap of the Mission Integrated Biorefineries,’ developed by co-leads and active inputs from Brazil, Canada, European Commission and the UK, at the Global Clean Energy Action Forum at Pittsburgh. The Mission aims at greater international collaboration, increased financing for Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration during the next five years, along with public and private investment.
According to the Minister, the Mission aims to fill the void by identifying gaps and challenges in current biorefining value chains, prioritising eight key actions to support the Mission, and guiding the Mission’s overall path in achieving its goal. It also provides policymakers with a strategy framework to establish a rising RD&D portfolio over the next five years, specific financing proposals across the entire spectrum of vital Biorefinery technologies, and rapid action suggestions.
A pilot plant of 10 tons/day capacity with integrated enzyme production is being set up at Panipat, Haryana, which will be commissioned by December 2022. This will be the first indigenous technology for on-site enzyme production. The Minister also pointed out that Indian Oil Corporation plans to supply this indigenous enzyme to a commercial 2G ethanol plant of 100 KL/day, expected to be commissioned by Q2 of 2024.
By 2030, India has agreed to reach 500-Gigawatt non-fossil energy capacity, shift 50% of energy requirements to renewable energy, lower overall anticipated carbon emissions by one billion tons, reduce carbon intensity of the economy by 45% over 2005 levels, and achieve net zero emissions by 2070.
