In India, majority of power generation is through coal-based thermal power plants. Thermal-based generation gives rise to carbon emissions, Sox, Nox emissions, along with suspended particulate matter, thereby polluting the environment. As per the Paris Agreement 2015, India is now prepared to march ahead towards zero carbon emissions through the penetration of renewable energy into the national grid.
The stubble burning by farmers also plays a major role in air pollution across the country to a great extent. The air pollution level rises after the Kharif harvest season in autumn and winter, especially in the NCR region. Thus, to keep a check on the fast depletion of coal reserves in India, the vision of reducing carbon footprints and power generation using biomass is gaining importance along with solar, wind, and hydro power generation. The Ministry of Power has issued a revised policy for biomass utilisation through co-firing in coal-fired thermal power plants to give an impetus to this segment.
R. K. Sharma, Chairman and MD, Rajasthan Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited shares an extensive article on biomass power generation and its challenges especially in reference to co-firing in coal-based thermal power plants.
Access the article here: RVUNL_Biomass Co-Firing
