Rationale behind the Coalition

During the next few decades, several alternative fuels will compete for markets currently dominated by gasoline. Very soon, ethanol, an important renewable transportation fuel, is likely to be among one of the foremost choices. Government policies are required to support the introduction of ethanol either as a motor fuel blend or as a pure fuel. At the same time, key stakeholders' participation is essential in voicing concerns and helping the government to formulate these policies.

What the Coalition advocates

•  A delicate balance between key stakeholders is essential for successful implementation of an alternative transport fuel program
•  Stakeholders' consensus is critical for stable implementation of an alternative fuel program
•  Ethanol substitution must be viewed from a long-term perspective
•  Ethanol as a fuel blend in the transport sector will achieve environmental and economic benefits
•  Air quality can be improved and a total recycle of carbon dioxide emissions can be achieved
•  Significant savings in foreign currency can be gained
•  The ethanol market can be expanded within the country

An initiative to form an India Ethanol Coalition (IEC) was declared by Winrock lnternational India (Wll) on February 25, 2000, at its workshop entitled "Ethanol 2000: Sustainable Fuel for the Transport Sector", organized to promote the renewable fuel. The idea was enthusiastically supported by Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas. The coalition must include representatives from the government; auto-manufacturers; companies dealing with fuel marketing, fuel production and processing; certification and regulatory agencies; fleet operators; organizations in the field of energy, environment, agri-business, forestry, engineering and R&D; and researchers and individuals who share a common interest in developing alternative fuels from renewable sources.

IEC is planning to include activities such as government liasion, generic promotion and awareness of ethanol. and on-going research prioritization. lEC's efforts will also focus on promoting general awareness of the merits of renewable fuels via workshops for automotive sales/service personnel, fuel dealers and the media: print publications; annual conventions; internet-based discussion groups, and other communication programs.

Specific goals of the Coalition

•  To serve as a source of actually reliable information for members, media and other interested parties on renewable fuel usage and development.
•  To provide information to policy-makers, government officials, the media, and other key individuals and organizations which will promote policy initiatives beneficial to ethanol fuel development and usage
•  To represent and promote fuel ethanol interests at meetings of government task forces, 
    commissions, committees, and other related events/initiatives pertinent to this industry
•  To organize seminars and meetings across the country to present and discuss fuel ethanol usage a and development and to encourage market expansion
•  To arouse and increase interest in renewable fuels
•  To help keep IEC members abreast of new technological developments on renewable fuels abroad
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Use in Automobiles

Used in existing gasoline engines as 10%-85% ethanol blend
      Country experiences: USA, Brazil, Canada, Sweden

USA: Benefited from improved rural economy, reduction in air pollution, and lower oil dependence

Brazil: Benefited from in-country potential, reduction in air pollution and lower oil dependence
 
 

Energy security, trade balance and risk reduction

Environmental benefits (reducing CO, HC and VOCs)

Economic benefits (in-country capacity utilization, scope for industry expansion, additional market outlet)

Boosting the agriculture sector

Installed capacity > 3,000 million liters per annum but producing less than 50% of installed capacity

Currently meeting the demand of the potable and chemical industries

No present utilization in the transport sector

Trials under government sponsored projects

MANDATE: To mobilize stakeholders supporting ethanol in transport sector

Conducted a study tour to Brazil of Indian representatives

Organized an international seminar

Explored possibility of biomass-to-ethanol plants

Continued stakeholder contact

Immediate Benefits

Utilize industrial installed capacity - improving the economy of the industry

Reduce use of gasoline

Reduce local pollution (e.g., in urban cities)

Provide business opportunities 

Help building base for a larger program

Long-term Benefits

Expand ethanol market (e.g., as diesel blend)

Increase production capacity (e.g., from sugarcane juice, sweet sorghum, biomass)

Provide business opportunities for auto manufacturers, parts suppliers, vehicle conversion companies and fuel suppliers

Helping emerge a new market

A government policy with implementation plan needed

State govts supporting in terms of policies and incentives

Oil industries - accepting bioethanol  Auto industries - marketing FFVs

Implementing certification and regulatory procedures

Creating public awareness

To host India Ethanol Coalition

To facilitate Ethanol Technology Center

Help in capacity building and technical assistance

Ensure larger industry participation and create government-industry link

To conduct a regional program

Ethanol fuel use in South Asia will:

Help in enhancing trade links

Help in enhancing export opportunities

Help in reducing GHGs

Help in creating better inter-government relations
 

For Further Information, Please Contact:

Dr. Saroj Mishra
Programme Officer
Winrock International India
7, Poorvi Marg, Vasant Vihar
New Delhi-110 057
Ph.: 011-6142965, E-mail: saroj@winrock.ernet.in