Mega Plan to Generate Power from Sewage by Bangalore Sewerage Board...

 

In its efforts to minimise power bills, Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) is preparing a road map to generate 100 MW of power from over 1,000 MLD of sewage generated in the city.

BWSSB Chief Engineer S Krishnappa said, “As we are consuming around 60 million units of power every month, we are incurring a lot of expenditure on electricity bills.”

“According to our estimates, we can generate around 100 MW power from the sewage generated in the city. It will be sufficient to meet 75 per cent of our  (power) needs.”

14 STPs Identified for Project

Krishnappa said BWSSB has identified 14 sewage treatment plants (STP) where methane gas can be generated from the sewage.

As the STPs are in good condition, BWSSB can start generating methane by constructing a digester near them.

“The biggest challenge is to ensure that the methane generated in the digester is pure in nature. If not, the generator that burns methane will be destroyed very soon,” Krishnappa said.

BWSSB has already initiated the process to produce electricity from sewage at one of the STPs in Hebbal valley by entering into an agreement with England-based Mott MacDonald Ltd.

Mott MacDonald Ltd team leader, Ian P Taylor said, “We have already imported the machinery required to generate 1 MW of power and initiated the process to construct a digester near one of the STPs. We should be in a position to generate electricity soon.”

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The Kochi Corporation moots biogas plants for local schools...

 

The Kochi corporation will distribute portable biogas plants to 35 government schools within its limits. In the initial phase, the plant, which costs about Rs 13,000 each, will be installed only in government schools. This will be later extended to aided schools.

Chairman of the education standing committee R Thyagarajan said, "The project will be launched soon. The expenses will be met by the government's annual plan fund. While the government provides a subsidy of 50%, the corporation will give 25% as subsidy. The schools will have to bear the rest of the cost."

The chairman said the biogas generated from organic waste can be utilized for 90 minutes daily by the kitchen. "We have already equipped government schools with smart classrooms, laboratory facilities and distributed benches and desks. The new project is aimed at managing waste in schools, especially those which have the midday meal scheme," he added.

Saraswathy M E, headmistress of the Government Higher Secondary School for Girls, Ernakulam, said, "We have to serve midday meals to 600 students daily. We have been finding it difficult to treat waste generated from it. So the plant will be of great use for us."

"The corporation has informed us about the plan to install biogas plants in schools. Though we installed a biogas plant in 2007, it stopped functioning in 2010. Currently, the organic waste generated in our school is sourced by the agriculture department," said Telma Mendes, principal, Government Higher Secondary School, Elamakkara.

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Empee Sugars to sell its 10 MW biomass-based power plant in Tamil Nadu...

 

Empee Sugars has decided to sell its 10 MW biomass-based power plant in Tamil Nadu.

The plant located on a 14-acre land parcel in Pudukottai district has power purchase agreements for third party sale to industries.

According to the senior officials, the company hopes to concentrate on larger power plants it operates under the power division and there are plans for expansion in the power sector.

So, it has decided to exit the relatively small scale biomass project.

Other units

Empee Sugars operates a 50-MW coal-based unit in Tirunelveli in South Tamil Nadu, originally set up as a cogeneration unit of a sugarcane complex, and a 20-MW cogeneration plant in Nayudupet, Andhra Pradesh.

It also has a licence for another coal-based power plant in Tamil Nadu for which environment clearances are awaited, the official said.

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MNRE to promote integration of solar thermal technology with Biomass Power Generation; invites proposals for consultancy...

 

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India, is implementing a MNRE - UNDP / GEF assisted Project on “Removal of Barriers to Biomass Power Generation in India.” The aim of the Project is to accelerate the adoption of environmentally sustainable biomass power technologies by removing the barriers identified, thereby laying the foundation for the large scale commercialization of biomass power through increased access to financing.

The Biomass Conversion Technologies that are proposed to be deployed in establishment of Model Investment Projects (MIPs) are – Combustion, Gasification and Cogeneration using different type of captive and distributed biomass resources.

As a part of this project, the Ministry is contemplating to commission a study to explore the possibility of “Integration of Solar Thermal Technology with the existing Combustion based Biomass Power Plants”. This inter – alia involves identification of commercially available Solar thermal technologies, review of existing international policy and regulatory frameworks, which support setting up of such projects, development of Bankable Detailed Project Reports for identified locations.

The Ministry invites sealed offers under two bids system (Part I : Techno- Commercial Bid & Part II : Price Bid) from the International Consultancy Organisations having experience in the area of Biomass-Solar Thermal Hybrid Systems and tariff policy & regulations. Interested organisations may submit their proposal to the Project Management Cell (PMC) established in the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, B-14, CGO Complex, Lodi Road, New Delhi – 110003, Telefax: 011-24369788, Email: jainvk@nic.in. Last date for submission of the proposal is 10th January 2014.

Background

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, being the nodal Ministry of Govt. of India, is responsible for development, deployment and promotion of renewable energy in the country. The Ministry has a wide range of programmes for harnessing energy as well as grid interactive and off grid power from various renewable sources. Biomass which is renewable in nature, carbon neutral and has the potential to provide large productive employment in rural areas is considered as one of the promising source for generation of power / energy using commercially available thermal and biological conversion technologies. About 155 biomass power projects with an aggregate capacity of 1,265 MW had been installed so far in the country under the Programme on Generation of Grid Interactive Power from Biomass implemented by the Ministry. These plants are mainly based on surplus agro residues such as rice husk, cotton & arhar stalk, mustard stalk, and other agro and agro industrial residues.

In addition to the Biomass Power Programme, Ministry is also implementing a MNRE - UNDP / GEF assisted Project on “Removal of Barriers to Biomass Power Generation in India.” The aim of the Project is to accelerate the adoption of environmentally sustainable biomass power technologies by removing the barriers identified, thereby laying the foundation for the large scale commercialization of biomass power through increased access to financing. The Biomass Conversion Technologies that are proposed to be deployed in establishment of Model Investment Projects (MIPs) are – Combustion, Gasification and Cogeneration using different type of captive and distributed biomass resources.

Objective
Seasonal variation in the availability of biomass is one of the barriers faced by biomass power generation projects. This assignment will study the suitable biomass hybrid models with solar thermal in order to explore the possibility of optimizing fuel usage and making plants more sustainable. Biomass hybrid model may provide the solution to overcome these barriers as two renewable energy resources complementing each other with regard to availability, thereby enhancing the chance of improved PLF and so viability. Towards this, the Ministry has planned to develop innovative demonstration projects and had invited proposals from developers interested in integrating solar component in their existing biomass plants.

 

Scope of Work

• Global Status Report of Commercially Available Solar - Thermal Technologies that can be integrated with the existing combustion based biomass power plants and should include the following-:
• Review of Existing policy and fiscal support, and regulatory framework to promote biomass solar hybrid technologies at the international level;
• Assessment of Status of the commercially available Solar Thermal Technologies; maturity and penetration in hybrid mode with focus on biomass solar hybrid system.
• Detailed case study and compilation of structured database of globally existing biomass solar hybrid power plants:
• Information on full scale operational plants based on biomass solar hybrid technologies/models installed in the field, including performance of the plants;
• Cost of biomass solar hybrid technologies, both capex and O&M, and details of fiscal & financial support provided by the Govt. for setting up the project;
• Optimal system combination for biomass solar hybrid technologies, including Comparative evaluation and ranking of the shortlisted technologies suitable in Indian conditions;
• Levelized cost of power generation for biomass solar hybrid technologies with different system combinations covering various feasible options of interfacing the two systems; and
• Develop potential supplier resource base for each selected biomass hybrid technology and capacity range(s).
• Development of Five Bankable Detailed Project Reports:
• Develop detailed ToRs and assist the PMC in selection of National Consultants for collection of input information / data from field;
• Providing hand holding support to the National Consultants in execution and timely completion of the following activities:
• Selection of 5 feasible sites out of the list of projects attached at Annexure I, through assessment of plant performance and interest of the developers;
• Determining the most appropriate size of solar thermal component which leads to sustainability and viability of the plant;
• Development of Bankable Detailed Project Report including financial analysis based on existing policy and regulatory frameworks for the Biomass and Solar components respectively; in India; and
• Recommendation for an optimal financial support/ Viability Gap Funding for establishment of the shortlisted projects.

Complete RfP can be downloaded from here.

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Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation proposes to set up 10 biogas plants...

 

The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation has proposed to set-up 10 biogas plants to generate power from wet garbage on pilot basis. The power generated will be used for street lights.

Sanjay Kulkarni, executive engineer, environment department, PCMC, said that each bio-gas plant will have a capacity to utilise 5 tonnes of wet garbage per day. The civic body will be identifying locations for constructing these plants. It will need plots measuring around 5,000 to 10,000 sq ft for each plant. The plants will be constructed in open areas that are part of STPs, gardens, garbage collection centres and other civic projects."

"The estimated cost of each project is Rs 1 crore. The PCMC will construct these plants at its own expense. If the plants are successful then the civic body will construct more such plants in other areas'', Kulkarni said.

He said, "The civic body will be starting the implementation of garbage segregation at source at the beginning of the coming year. This will provide wet garbage to the civic body which will be utilised to prepare bio-gas. We expect to get around 100 tonnes of wet garbage per day through garbage segregation at source."

He said that the environment department will be preparing a proposal for the construction of the bio-gas plants and seek the approval of the municipal commissioner for including these projects in next year's municipal budget.

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Cold Storage powered by Biomass based Projects launched in UP...

 

Union minister of new & renewable energy Farooq Abdullah assured all possible financial help to villages of Uttar Pradesh to help them develop alternative sources of electrification while inaugurating the 'Biomass energy based village electrification' and 'cold storage' project in a village of Sitapur on Thursday.

The project is first of its kind in UP where biomass is being used to supply power to a cold storage in a village to preserve fruits and vegetables of farmers. UP farmers have always been grappling with poor grid supply in villages which has been affecting their irrigating practices, children's studies and household chores. Even companies are reluctant to set up industries in villages which have insufficient power supply. This results in poor job avenues for locals, who then migrate to cities for livelihood.

Also, due to lack of proper storage and transit facilities, about 22% of agricultural produce, especially fruits and vegetables is spoiled. The wastage in fruits and vegetables is estimated to be worth about Rs 330 billion in India. To end this vicious circle, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) launched the concept of using indigenously available biomass resources for operating small and decentralised cold storage at village level.

In addition, they also wanted to supply off-grid (alternative energy) power to electrify households of villages. TERI installed its first project in Bilariya village of Sitapur with support of two Australian agencies, AusAid (managing Australia's overseas aid program) and CSIRO (Australian premier research organization). TERI said apart from electrification of households, the project will benefit in many other ways like creating job opportunities, developing alternative power source and recharging electronic lamps, mobile phones, etc.

The project is supplying electricity to over 140 households in nearby villages and a cold storage facility in Bilariya. A prepaid metering system is installed in households to ensure that villagers are paying only for the number of units they are consuming. The biggest advantage is that the cold storage (15 metric tonnes capacity) can easily preserve agrarian produce at 0 degree Celsius.

R K Pachauri, director-general of TERI, said, "We aim to install more such projects in villages of UP. We have met several times with the officials and the CM but there seems a lack of initiative from the state government to support such projects." Alternative energy projects are solution to the current power shortage in country. "States should help such projects financially as villagers cannot afford to run it on their own", he added.

The biomass electrification project has a capacity of 50 kilowatt but due to paucity of financial resources and lack of raw material to run the plant, the project is currently running at a capacity of 15 KW. A village community has been formed to maintain and operate the facility and look after villagers' requirements. TERI would assist the project for 2 years, after which it would be transferred to the community.

Villagers were apprehensive about sustainability of the model as they were facing challenges in sourcing funds from the government. The minister assured that he would extend financial help to the villages to develop more such alternative energy projects.

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Biomass plant set up in Mahendergarh, Haryana...

 

A 9.9 MW biomass project has been set up in Mahendergarh district at a total cost of Rs 60 crore and a similar project of 9.5 MW in Bhiwani district is at its final stage of completion, an official spokesman said today.

 

The official of Haryana's Renewable Energy Department said three more biomass projects of 12 MW each are under installation in the state.

 

For generation of power from industrial waste, 14 projects of 34.

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10 MW Biomass based Power Project launched by Punjab Government at Mansa District...

 

A 10 MW Biomass based Power Project has been launched at Mansa District in Punjab by the Bathinda MP and the Non Conventional Energy Minister of Punjab to promote harnessing electricity from clean energy sources.

According to sources, the proposed project will be set up by Viaton Energy Private Ltd and the estimated investment outlay will be around Rs. 80 Crores.

The location of the Project is Khokar Khurd village in Mansa.

According to the government, the Biomass based Power Project will provide additional income of around Rs. 5,000 to the farmers from their agriculture residue.

It seems that the government is also planning for five more such biomass based power plants in the vicinity.

The government will soon harness biomass potential of the state by inviting bids for setting up of 300 MW capacity plants shortly. Twenty nine sites have been identified for the setting up of 300 MW biomass power plants in next three years."

 

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Additional Reading...

http://www.hindustantimes.com/Punjab/Bathinda/Biomass-power-plant-launched-in-Mansa/SP-Article1-1101479.aspx

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Bihar Government to soon propose new policies on renewable energy sources…

As said by Sushil Kumar Modi, Deputy CM of Bihar, the Bihar Government is considering to propose new policies on renewable energy sector which currently will focus on solar, biomass and hydro projects.

 

Modi, while attending Energy Revolution Bihar”, said that the government is willing to take suggestions from the renewable energy experts and make changes in its policy, if required.

 

The Energy Revolutions Bihar has been organized by Greenpeace India  to discuss the demand for a strong solar policy with mandatory targets for renewable energy (RE) purchase.

 

During the event, Modi also said that there were lots of potential in renewable energy sector in the state. He also said that he would talk to banks for make a hassle-free system for granting loan to budding entrepreneurs.

 

He further said that Government is planning to rope in the ITIs to cater to training and skills needed for renewable energy projects.

 

As said by Bijendra Prasad Yadav, Energy Minister,  the government has already identified five districts for setting up solar water plants in which the Centre's share would be 50 percent of the total amount while the state government would contribute the 40 percent. The remaining 10 percent would be given by the farmer.

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Usher Agro commissioned 16 MW Rice Husk Biomass plant and proposed public issue for another 18 MW plant…

Power India found that Usher Agro Limited, has informed the National Stock Exchange that, Usher Eco Power Limited (subsidiary of Usher Agro) has successfully commissioned a 16 MW Rice Husk Biomass based Cogeneration Power Plant.

 

The said plant is developed at Chhata, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh.

 

The company has further informed that it is under the process of setting up another Rice Husk Biomass Co-generation power plant having installed capacity of 18 MW.

 

For that purpose the company is proposing a public issue of equity shares and has filed Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) with SEBI on February 03, 2012 subject to

• approval of the Securities and Exchange Board of India,("SEBI") and other relevant regulatory and statutory authorities;
• market conditions and other considerations.

 

 

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Garbage powers Hiranandi Estate, Thane….

At Hiranandani Estate in Thane, wet waste is not just given away to the municipality garbage collectors. It is carefully segregated and sent to a biomethanation or biogas plant, where it is converted into fuel. This fuel is then used to power the sewage treatment plant in the estate.

From solar lights in the compound to occupancy censors in common areas such as staircases and washrooms, where the lights only come on when people are around, the complex is a mix of fixtures that help save energy.

The biogas plant, for example, produces 125 units of energy every day, but has the capacity to do much more.

 

According to Anant Palkar, General Manager, Hiranandani Construction Private Limited:

"The plant can process five tonnes of biodegradable waste every day, but we only get a little over a tonne. Now, 21 more buildings are coming up in the estate so the plant will be sued to its full capacity. The plant was installed two years ago. "These systems are easy to maintain, but regular maintenance is a must."

Biogas can be used for anything from cooking to running motor vehicles. Biogas is the gas produced through the breakdown of organic matter in the absence of oxygen.

The company is now applying for carbon credits. But while the systems are in place, are the residents equally environment-conscious? "Residents of the complex are environmentally sensitive and work towards energy conservation. Without the support of the residents, all these systems would fail," added Palkar.

 

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A2Z IPO price band set at 400 - 410 Rs.

Mumbai based Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) firm A2Z Group has filed a DHRP with SEBI on July 29 for Rs. 750 Crs IPO to fund its power foray programs.

Subsequently, A2Z Group has got market regulator's nod to launch the IPO. The IPO is being opened on Dec 8 by the book running managers IDFC Capital, DSP Merrill Lynch, Enam Securities, ICICI Securities and SBI Capital Markets.

A2Z Group was founded in the year 2002 and achieved a turnover of INR 750 Crore during 2008-2009 and INR 1200 Crore for 2009-2010.

The Group covers three business verticals of which the Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC) Company is the largest entity. Its business operations encompass Electrical Distribution Systems, EHV Switch yards, Transmission lines, Railways Electrification, Discom IT Applications & BOP for Power Plants.

The company has a biomass power generating assets  capacity of about 60MW.  In Punjab, the company was setting up three co-generation power plants in collaboration with sugar mills on a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) model for a period of 15 years. A2Z will provide steam and power for operating the manufacturing process of the sugar mills during the crushing season. A2Z, which also bagged one of the largest municipal solid-waste management contract from Kanpur municipal corporation, planned to set up 10-15 Mw capacity power plants in various cities, depending on the availability of processed solid waste.

A2Z has has set a price band of 400 rupees to 410 rupees for its initial public offering to raise as much as Rs 8.62 billion ($191.7 million).

The offer comprises a fresh issue of equity shares at the issue price aggregating Rs 6.75 billion and an offer for sale of 4.56 million shares by the selling shareholders.

Click here to read more about A2Z's IPO.

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