UP Outlets to Supply Gasohol
26 Feb 2003, Business Line
Uttar Pradesh will become the first State in India to supply 5% ethanol-blended petrol from its retail outlets from 28 February 2003, Mr Santosh K Gangwar, Minister of State for Petroleum & Natural Gas, said. Apart from UP, as many as 8 States and 4 Union Territories will also make it mandatory by June-end this year to supply gasohol from their outlets, he informed. Speaking to the media at his home constituency here, he said Bareilly district was one of the first pilot projects for supplying gasohol (launched in 2001). As the results were satisfactory, its implementation across the State was decided. He also dismissed skepticism over the necessary set up and change-over technology not being in place.
Indian Experts Propose Bio-Diesel
31 December 2002, Down to Earth
A task force of India’s Planning Commission has proposed that oil extracted from the Jatropha curcas plant be mixed with diesel to bring down emission levels. Indigenous communities in Bastar have been using this oil to run farm equipment and motorcycles for years. Studies indicate that this extract is superior to both petrol and diesel, and engines need not even be modified to run on this fuel. Dr DN Tewari, who heads the task force, reveals that the diesel blend is estimated to cost Rs 14 per liter and will be EURO III compatible. "This will also achieve livelihoods for millions and green cover for wastelands," says the optimistic Tewari.
Biodiesel Train on Track in India
SolarAccess.com, 17 Jan 2003
The first successful trial run of a passenger train was conducted on December 31, 2002 when the Delhi-Amritsar Shatabdi Express used 5% biodiesel as fuel. Biodiesel will enable Indian Railways to save on its rising fuel bill while controlling pollution levels. Sulphur and lead emissions were reduced significantly when biodiesel was used, according to the Railways. Ultimately, the percentage of biodiesel would go up to 15% in unison with the accepted global norms.
The new green fuel is extracted from the seeds of the Jatropha plant and Indian Oil is now engaged in laboratory tests of biodiesel. The plant can easily be grown on either side of railway tracks as it adopts itself well to arid and semiarid conditions, demanding low fertility and moisture. The other advantages are the fuel’s contribution to the national energy pool and the potential of creation of jobs in rural sector.
Gasohol Launched
2 January 2003, The Hindu
Gasohol with a 5% ethanol content was launched here today. According to Mr. Naik, of the 9 sugar-producing States mandated to switch to this gasohol from today, only "Maharashtra and UP could develop the infrastructure to produce anhydrous ethanol.’’ Others - Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry and the four Union Territories - have "sought more time to complete’’ the task. Maharashtra is enthusiastic and sugar sector leaders - both private and cooperative - have asked that the quantum of ethanol in petrol be raised from 5 to 10% and more, as Brazil, the role model that led to this decision, already allows 22% mixing.
Several speakers urged decision-makers here that ethanol be allowed to be extracted both from molasses and primary juice of sugarcane "converting sugar into a by-product’’ and enabling higher realization for sugarcane prices in an industry caught in a sugar glut.
Ethanol Launch Deferred in TN
3 January 2003, The Hindu
The launch of 5% ethanol-blended petrol supplies in the State has been deferred till June, according to a gazette notification issued by the Petroleum Ministry on Monday. The notification is more to facilitate continuation of the existing supply of petrol in the State, as otherwise, sale of the automobile fuel without the ethanol blend will be illegal, oil industry sources said.
Also the deferment of the project is expected to help in tying up loose ends, mostly in State Government departments. A clear picture of issues facilitating early introduction of the ‘green’ fuel, including fixation of the price at which ethanol will be supplied and relaxation of norms by the Excise department, is yet to emerge. Besides non-availability of adequate quantity of the molasses by-product in other States, a few levies come in the way of Tamil Nadu importing ethanol.
Launch of Ethanol-blended Motor Spirt at HPCL, Cummalladoddi, Andhra Pradesh
Smt. Kurpu Achhamamba, MLA; Shri. Chilakam Ramachandra Rao, State BJP President; and Shri UV Krishanam Raju, Union Minister of State for Consumer affairs, Food and Public Distribution formally launching the project on 19 November 2002
Photo credit: HPCL, Gummaladoddi, AP