In a recent move to further support India’s transition to cleaner energy, Honda Motor Co Ltd. has urged the Indian government to introduce policies that would make bioethanol fuels more affordable. 

What are Bioethanol fuels?

• Bioethanol  is a form of renewable energy.
  • It  is an alcohol-based fuel 
• Raw Materials for Bioethanol Production:
  • Plants Rich in Cellulose: Bioethanol is obtained from plants like sugar cane, sugar beet, and grains such as corn.
  • Alternative Sources: It can also be produced from forestry residues and agricultural waste.
• Leading Producers of Bioethanol:
  • Brazil and the U.S. are the largest producers and consumers of bioethanol.
  • France leads in Europe in both consumption and export.

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Uses of Bioethanol

• Electricity Generation: Bioethanol is burned in a boiler to produce steam that turns a turbine to generate electricity.
• Transport: It is used in combination with gasoline or diesel to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or in flex-fuel vehicles designed for ethanol use.
• Heating: Bioethanol is also used in fireplaces and heaters for room heating.

Advantages of Bioethanol

• Reduces CO2 Emissions:
  • Bioethanol absorbs CO2 as plants grow, and the emissions during burning are much lower than those from fossil fuels. 
  • The reduction varies from 19% to 86% depending on the raw material used.
• No Waste Generation:
  • Bioethanol combustion doesn’t produce waste or strong odors. 
  • The generated CO2 can be captured for use in industries like beverage carbonation or freezing.
• Boosts Local Economy:
  • The demand for bioethanol fuels creates jobs in the agricultural sector and bioethanol production plants, benefiting the economy.

Key Challenges with Bioethanol

• High Production Costs: The cost of raw materials (like sugarcane and corn) and the technology to convert them into bioethanol is high, making bioethanol expensive compared to traditional fuels.
• Limited Fuel Efficiency: Bioethanol has lower energy content than gasoline, which reduces fuel economy and requires more fuel to travel the same distance.
• Land Use and Food Security: Using food crops like corn for bioethanol production can decrease food availability, raising concerns about food security.
• Environmental Impact: The production of bioethanol can lead to deforestation, soil degradation, and high water usage, putting pressure on natural resources.
• Infrastructure and Compatibility: Bioethanol requires specific storage and handling, and not all vehicles are compatible with higher ethanol blends, limiting its widespread use.

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Related Government initiatives

• Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme:
  • Objective: Reduce pollution, save foreign exchange, and add value to the sugar industry by blending ethanol with petrol.
• GOBAR (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources) DHAN Scheme:
  • Objective: Manage and convert farm waste like cattle dung into useful products such as compost, biogas, and bio-CNG.
• Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana (2019):
  • Objective: Create an ecosystem for setting up commercial 2G ethanol projects and boost research and development in this sector.

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