Non-renewable energy in India: News, Updates & Discussions.

Gautam said:
3. Methanol

Advantages:
i. Can be produced from our domestic coal. We have a lot of coal & it is pretty cheap. No problems of import dependency or price.
ii. Cleanest liquid hydrocarbon. Easy to transport.
iii. Can be used to make Di-Methyl Ether (DME) that can wholly replace Diesel. Diesel engines need minor tweaks to their compression ratios to use DME. DME can thus be used in road, rail & marine transportation.

Disadvantages:
i. Globally available tech for producing Methanol from Coal doesn't work on Indian coal due to its high ash content. We have to develop our own tech.
ii. It the poorest carrier of hydrogen. Also has the lowest calorific value. You would have to burn 1.9 liters of Methanol to produce energy equivalent to 1 liter of Petrol. Not feasible to be used for producing electricity.

Future scope:
Recently BHEL had a breakthrough with Methanol production. In Sep 2021 BHEL announced that their R&D centre in Hyderabad set up a coal gasification plant that is now producing 0.25 ton per day (TPD) of Methanol from Indian high ash coal using a 1.2 TPD Fluidized bed gasifier. SO they used 1.2 ton Indian coal to produce 0.25 ton Methanol.

India's first Indigenously Designed High Ash Coal Gasification Based Methanol Production Plant at BHEL R&D Centre, Hyderabad

https://dst.gov.in/indias-first-pil...hanol-can-accelerate-countrys-journey-towards

India has 340+ billion metric tons of coal, at our current consumption levels we consume less than 1/350th of our reserves every year. The low conversion ratio of Indian coal to Methanol is not a problem. The fact that we can produce high purity Methanol from Indian coal is a big deal. Still BHEL needs to establish the scalability of their tech.

Some good reads on Methanol in India:

vikaspedia Domains

https://www.thehindubusinessline.co...t-methanol-for-clean-fuel/article34183663.ece

https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/i...ould-be-a-cheaper-fuel-for-india-7540761.html
Click to expand...

Some updates on the Methanol fuel technology:

BHEL is providing Methanol produced in their Hyderabad based coal gasification plant to the Kerala based 350MWe Rajiv Gandhi Combined Cycle Power Project (RGCCPP) to produce power on an experimental basis:

NTPC Kayamkulam mulls using methanol as fuel when power crisis looms over Kerala

The project will be executed in 2 phases:

1. Phase I: With no modifications to the gas turbine and minimal modifications in overall plant. Test firing using methanol shall be carried out in GT at maximum possible loading. The maximum load expected to be 40-50%.

2. Phase II: Based on the test results of Phase-I, modifications for running on 100% load shall be planned in future.

Methanol Firing in Gas Turbine | NTPC Limited
 
NTPC's NETRA develops indigenous catalyst for CO2 conversion to methanol.

The process is seen as a critical solution to address CO2 mitigation challenges facing fossil-fuel-based power plants globally. NTPC's pilot program, utilizing this catalyst, aims to produce high-purity methanol, over 99%, by capturing and this catalyst, aims to produce high-purity methanol, over 99%, by capturing and processing 10 kg of CO2 per day.

ETEnergyWorld
Updated on October 30, 2024, 7:58AM IST.
1730470699361.png

New Delhi: In a key development for carbon capture and utilization, NTPC's research wing NETRA, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP), Dehradun has developed an indigenous catalyst capable of converting carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions into methanol.

The process is seen as a critical solution to address CO2 mitigation challenges facing fossil-fuel-based power plants globally. NTPC's pilot program, utilizing this catalyst, aims to produce high-purity methanol, over 99%, by capturing and processing 10 kg of CO2 per day.

"CO2 mitigation is one of the critical challenges for fossil fuel fired plants, and capturing CO2 from flue gas to convert it into valuable fuel and chemicals is a global focus," the company said in a statement. At the pilot plant, one mole of CO2 and three moles of hydrogen (H2) pass through a fixed bed downflow reactor, demonstrating the catalyst’s potential in producing methanol on a sustainable basis.

This initiative aligns with NTPC’s broader environmental goals, where the organization has actively pursued carbon footprint reduction through NTPC Green Energy Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary. NTPC’s strategies reflect India’s commitment to achieving net-zero
emissions by 2070 and support global climate action targets.

NTPC's NETRA develops indigenous catalyst for CO2 conversion to methanol - ET EnergyWorld
 
ISPRL seeks private firms to build 2.5 mn tonnes petroleum reserve at Padur

Reuters, NEW DELHI
Last Updated: Jan 06, 2025 | 4:33 PM IST

In 2021, India overhauled its policy to allow part of SPRs to be used commercially, mirroring a model adopted by countries such as Japan and South Korea that allows private lessees, mostly oil majors
1736303914099.png
India is also planning to build a 4-million-ton SPR at Chandikhol in eastern Odisha state. | Photo: Bloomberg

India is seeking private companies to build and operate a 2.5 million metric ton store for petroleum reserves at Padur in southern Karnataka state, according to a tender posted on the website of Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserve Ltd (ISPRL).

Bids are invited to establish "commercial cum strategic petroleum reserves" including a single point mooring and associated infrastructure on a "design, build, finance, operate and transfer basis", the notice says.

ISPRL, which manages federal oil inventories, operates three strategic petroleum reserves (SPRs) in southern India with a combined capacity of about 5 million tons. Part of that capacity is used for commercial operations by companies including Abu Dhabi National Oil Co (ADNOC).

In 2021, India overhauled its policy to allow part of SPRs to be used commercially, mirroring a model adopted by countries such as Japan and South Korea that allows private lessees, mostly oil majors, to re-export crude.

A pre-bid meeting for the new Padur facility will be held on Jan. 10 and the tender will close on Feb. 3.

India, the world's third-biggest oil importer and consumer, imports over 80% of its oil needs and is raising its SPR capacity to protect against any global supply disruption.

India is also planning to build a 4-million-ton SPR at Chandikhol in eastern Odisha state.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto generated from a syndicated feed.)

https://www.business-standard.com/i...etroleum-reserve-at-padur-125010600697_1.html
 
India’s Average Electricity Supply Rises: 22.6 Hours in Rural Areas, 23.4 Hours in Urban Areas

By Kuldeep Negi
Feb 22, 2025, 09:19 AM | Updated 09:19 AM IST
1740762852147.png

Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has said that average electricity supply in rural areas has increased from 12.5 hours in 2014 to 22.6 hours in 2025 and in urban areas to 23.4 hours in 2025.

Addressing a press conference in New Delhi on Friday (21 February), Khattar informed that with the help of initiatives like Deeen Dayal Upadhyay Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY), PM Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana (SAUBHAGYA), Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG), the accessibility to power has increased significantly in the last 10 years.

He said that the government is aiming for 100 per cent electrification of households across the country.

“It is our goal to make power accessible to everyone and all times and the government is aiming for 100 per cent electrification of households across the country,” Khattar said.

He informed that fossil-based power capacity has increased from 168 GW in 2014 to 246 GW in January 2025, which shows an increase of around 46 percent.

Further, the non-fossil-based power capacity has increased from around 80GW in 2014 to around 220 GW in 2025 (as of 31 January 2025) which is around 180 percent increase, he added.

The minister further said that the transmission network has increased from 2.91 lakh circuit km (ckm) in 2014 to 4.92 lakh ckm in 2025.

The minister informed that India has become net exporter of power and the net export in 2025 amounts to 1,625 MU. He added that in 2014 India was a net importer of power.

The energy shortage in the country has reduced from 4.2 per cent in 2014 to 0.1 per cent in 2025, and steps are being taken to overcome the current energy shortage, the minister said.

On Power Distribution Companies (Discoms) losses, the minister said that aggregate technical and commercial (AT&C) losses have reduced from 22.62 per cent in 2014 to 15 per cent in 2025, and this will be further reduced to 10 per cent by 2030.

https://swarajyamag.com/news-brief/indias-average-electricity-supply-rises-226-hours-in-rural-areas-234-hours-in-urban-areas#:~:text=News%20Brief-,India's%20Average%20Electricity%20Supply%20Rises%3A%2022.6%20Hours%20In%20Rural%20Areas,23.4%20Hours%20in%20Urban%20Areas&text=Union%20Power%20Minister%20Manohar%20Lal,to%2023.4%20hours%20in%202025.
 
First dual-fuel foreign vessel named by Indian godmother

The vessel Albert Maersk runs on methanol and alternative fuel; company keen to procure green fuels from India

Published - February 28, 2025, 09:12 pm IST
MUMBAI
By Lalatendu Mishra
1740901443991.png
In the backdrop of the name-giving ceremony, Maersk announced that it would invest about $5 billion in ports and terminals as well as landside infrastructure development in India. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement.

A.P. Moller- Maersk on Friday organized the name-giving ceremony of its newest dual-fuel methanol container vessel at APM Terminal, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) in Mumbai reiterating its commitment to India.

The vessel, named Albert Maersk, is the eleventh vessel in Maersk’s fleet capable of operating on methanol, the green fuel as part of its commitment to go net zero by 2040.

1740901596031.png

At a traditional name-giving ceremony, Union Minister Raksha Khadse turned godmother for the vessel which was on its maiden voyage to India.

“Maersk continues to take firm steps towards decarbonizing shipping with the addition of one more dual-fuel vessel to its fleet”, said Vincent Clerc, CEO, A.P. Moller - Maersk.

79321-adi5103-1.webp

“India is among the world’s fastest-growing major economies and Maersk looks forward to partnering with India on various aspects, such as exploring the potential sourcing of alternative fuels for low-emissions shipping and activities involving ship repairs and shipbuilding in the future that align well with the Indian Government’s ambitions to promote the shipping sector,” he said.

Speaking on the occasion Union Shipping & Ports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said, “With the demand for green vessels rising, India has the potential to become a major producer and supplier of green methanol, ammonia, and hydrogen-based fuels.”

1740764068079.jpeg

“Maersk’s decision to focus on green fuel production in India is a welcome step that will accelerate our journey towards a sustainable maritime future. This vessel naming is more than just a tradition—it is a symbol of trust, collaboration, and a shared vision for the future,” he added.

In the backdrop of the name-giving ceremony, Maersk announced that it would invest about $5 billion in ports and terminals as well as landside infrastructure development in India.

Keith Svendsen, CEO, APM Terminals, said, “We believe we can play a role in reducing the cost of logistics by ensuring that our customers access all their supply chain needs in one place – from all modes of transportation to port handling to warehousing and distribution,” he said.

1740764067672.jpeg

“As APM Terminals, we are ready to invest more in developing ports with low emissions and great efficiency that will help businesses grow and connect India with the global markets,” he added.

‘Albert Maersk’ is part of a series of 18 large dual-fuel methanol vessels scheduled for delivery in 2024 and 2025. Built at Hyundai Heavy Industries in Ulsan, South Korea, she can carry 16,592 standard containers (TEU).

Bio- and e-methanol can reduce GHG emissions by at least 65% compared to conventional fossil fuels such as bunker oil (depending on the feedstock and production process of the methanol, calculated on a life cycle basis), the company said.

79323-1740742332448-1.webp
Dual -fuel engine powering Albert Maersk

With the vessel technologies available, Maersk has been urging the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) member states to adopt strong regulations to push the industry forward towards its climate targets.

“Maersk believes it is critically important that IMO regulation is fuel-agnostic, allowing for a multi-fuel future for shipping as well as making the low-emission transport choice viable and competitive by closing the price gap between fossil and alternative fuels,” the company said.

First dual-fuel foreign vessel named by Indian godmother
 
India’s state-run refiners will fully commission the world’s longest liquefied petroleum gas pipeline by June, a key development that will sharply cut fuel transportation costs and help prevent deadly road accidents.
......
Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum Corp. and Hindustan Petroleum Corp. have jointly formed IHB to lay the 2,800-kilometer-long pipeline from Kandla on the west coast to the northern city of Gorakhpur. The first phase will be commissioned in March and will be fully operational from the middle of this year, said Kumar, who is also the chairman of the joint venture.

The network will be capable of annually transporting about 8.3 million tons of LPG, or about 25% of India’s total demand. It’s likely to significantly reduce transportation costs in the world’s third-largest consumer as about 70% of bottling plants still get it by trucks. The country’s Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board has been pushing refiners to build more pipelines to tackle increased volumes and avoid any major road disasters.

Local use of the fuel, mainly needed for home cooking, has surged four-fifths over the past decade to 29.6 million tons in the fiscal year ended in March 2024, outpacing a 47% expansion in demand for refined oil products. The spurt in sales has been helped by discounts by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government to wean off low-income households from burning polluting biomass for cooking.
Click to expand...

https://www.business-standard.com/i...june-to-cut-costs-mishaps-125022801434_1.html
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom