Document Type : Review Paper
Authors
Mechanical Engineering Department, Dibrugarh University Institute of Engineering and Technology (DUIET), India.
Abstract
India has experienced rapid industrialization, propelling it to be the world's 3rd largest energy consumer. Among the sectors driving this energy consumption, the transportation industry plays a significant role. In the fiscal year 2022-23, India witnessed a surge in petroleum consumption, reaching a record high of 222.3 million tonnes. However, the country's crude oil production remained at 29.2 million tonnes during the same period, leading to a substantial reliance on imports. In fact, India imported crude oil of 232.4 million tonnes in 2022-23, amounting to a cost of approximately USD 158.3 billion. To curtail its dependence on imports, the Indian government has promoted ethanol as a renewable fuel alternative for several years. Although policies supporting the Ethanol Blended Program have been in place since 2003, they struggled to meet their targets until the introduction of the National Biofuel Policy in 2018. The policy incorporated several modifications and aimed to address the shortcomings of previous efforts. Presently, ethanol blending with petrol is being offered at a maximum concentration of 10% across the country, with the ultimate goal of completely replacing petrol with ethanol. This study analyzes India's ethanol blending program, evaluating policy impacts on distribution and production. It identifies challenges in feedstock availability, the role of oil marketing companies (OMCs), and vehicular technology hindrances. Proposed solutions include utilizing alternative feedstocks, supported by PLI schemes. OMCs should address logistical issues and reduce transportation costs by promoting local ethanol production. Optimizing petrol engines and expediting the introduction of flex engines are recommended.
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