AN ALTERNATIVE & RELIABLE ENERGY SOURCE
INDIA NEEDS AN ALTERNATIVE & RELIABLE ENERGY SOURCE
India is the third-largest energy consumer in the world after China and the United States and its need for energy supply continues` to climb resulting from the country’s dynamic economic growth, population growth, and modernization over the past several years. Primary energy consumption in India has nearly tripled between 1990 and 2018, reaching an estimated 916 million tons of oil equivalent. Coal continued to supply most (45%) of India’s total energy consumption in 2018, followed by petroleum and other liquids (26%), and traditional biomass and waste (20%).
India ‘s widening gap between production and consumption of petroleum
The gap between India’s oil demand and supply is widening. Demand for crude oil in 2019 reached 4.9 million b/d, compared to less than 1 million b/d of total domestic liquids production (Figure 2). This has lead to a significant reliance on crude oil imports that reached 4.4 million in 2019. Diesel remains the most-consumed oil product in India, accounting for 39% used primarily for commercial transportation, industrial and agricultural sectors. Gasoline consumption, which accounts for 14%, has increased at an accelerated rate over the past few years, has been replacing diesel in the swiftly-growing passenger vehicle sector since 2014.
CASSAVA CAN PRODUCE VERY HIGH BIOFUEL YEILDS
Cassava is a great crop for ethanol production because it is high in starch, yields between 30-45 tonne/hectare with a conversion efficiency of 180 litre/tonne. Compared to Rice, Sugar, Corn/Maize and Wheat, it can produce an incredible 5,450 litres per hectare, just second to sugar and in favourable conditions upto to 8,100 litres, surpassing all crops suitable for ethanol production as illustrated by the table below.
ONE OF THE MOST VIABLE CROPS TO PRODUCE ETHANOL
About half of the total production cost in producing ethanol comes from the cost of raw materials and their processing. Cassava can yield more alcohol on a weight/weight basis compared to other main ethanol crops making it one of the most viable crops available.
In addition to its attractive ethanol yield properties, Cassava is considered one the world’s most versatile crops, allowing farmers to grow all year round, the option to leave it in the ground for up to 24 months to suit more favorable market and operating conditions, its ability to grow in poor soils and survive harsh climatic conditions and still produce moderate yields.
Hence, its versatility, resilience and capacity to generate high ethanol yields make this the most economically viable crop for ethanol production compared to rice, wheat, corn and sugar alternatives.