Biomass co-firing in thermal power plants may reduce stubble burning pollution

25 Jul 2022 , 08:25 AM

Prior to the Kharif harvest season, the Ministry of Power has requested that states develop time-bound plans to guarantee the utilization of biomass for co-firing in thermal power plants, therefore reducing stubble burning and air pollution.

The Ministry of Power released a revised policy for the use of biomass-based agricultural residues in October of last year, mandating the use of five to seven percent of biomass co-fired with coal for all thermal power plants. This was done to address the issue of air pollution and reduce the carbon footprint of thermal power generation.

Burning agricultural waste is a significant contributor to air pollution in the nation.

According to news reports, the power ministry had written a letter to all the states and union territories requesting that they develop time-bound implementation plans to ensure the use of biomass for co-firing with coal in their thermal power plants and in IPPs (independent power plants) from which the states purchase their electricity.

The ministry further advised all states and the District of Columbia (UT) to raise the issue with their SERCs (state electrical regulatory commissions) in order to have biomass utilization included in their individual Tariff Regulations.

A practical approach to the stubble burning issue is to co-fire biomass with coal. This has the added advantages of generating power, giving farmers more money, and reducing reliance on coal.

The mission directorate’s (SAMARTH) efforts and this program have achieved good results, which the ministry has emphasized has to be intensified.

For the co-firing of biomass in coal-based plants, the CERC (Central Electricity Regulatory Commission) has included particular rules in its Tariff Regulations 2019. These rules, which have encouraged central sector Gencos to co-fire biomass in their thermal power plants, allow for capital expenses related to the purchase of infrastructure and equipment for co-firing biomass in new projects.

These conditions provide that when blending biomass with coal, the delivered cost of biomass at the generating station’s unloading point, inclusive of taxes and charges as appropriate, shall be used to calculate the landed cost of biomass fuel.

The Authority’s prescribed blending ratio or the actual amount of biomass consumed, whichever is less, shall be used to calculate the energy charge rate of the blended fuel.

According to clarification provided by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy in September 2019, the energy produced by co-firing biomass in thermal power plants qualifies as renewable energy and can be used to fulfill a non-solar Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO).