Research and Markets: Biomass Industry in India - Biomass accounts for over 30% of Primary Enery used in the Country at present

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/rhlk3s/biomass_industry_i) has announced the addition of the "Biomass Industry in India" report to their offering.

India produces about 450-500 million tons of biomass per year. Biomass provides over 30% of all the primary energy used in the country at present. It is estimated that the potential in the short term for power from biomass in India varies from about 18,000 MW, when the scope of biomass is as traditionally defined, to a high of about 50,000 MW if one were to expand the scope of definition of biomass.

The current share of biofuels in total fuel consumption is extremely low and is confined to just 5% blending of ethanol in gasoline, which the government has made mandatory in 10 states. Currently, biodiesel is not sold on the Indian fuel market, but the government plans to meet 20% of the country's diesel requirements by 2020 using biodiesel.

Plants like Jatropha curcas, Neem, Mahua and other wild plants are identified as the potential sources for biodiesel production in India. There are about 63 million ha waste land in the country, out of which about 40 million ha area can be developed by undertaking plantations of Jatropha. India uses several incentive schemes to induce villagers to rehabilitate waste lands through the cultivation of Jatropha. The Indian government is targeting a Jatropha plantation area of 11.2 million ha by 2012.

In India, biomass power technology installed includes bagasse cogeneration and grid connected biomass power projects. Further, the most commonly used biomass power technology is combustion technology, which accounts for almost 95% of the capacity installed, as the type of combustion technology employs conventional Rankine cycle, where the biomass is incinerated in a high pressure boiler to generate steam, which is then used to spin a turbine to generate electricity.

India's government will continue programs supporting ongoing developments in the renewables markets for electricity generation, driven by concerns of carbon emissions mitigation and reducing dependence on nonrenewable resources.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Executive Summary

2. Introduction to Biomass

3. Challenges Facing the Global Power Industry & the Need for Biomass

4. Biomass Industry in India

5. Analysis of Major Players

6. Glossary

Companies Mentioned

- Areva SA

- Enel SpA

- RWE AG

- Clenergen Corporation

- Orient Green Power

- Wartsila Corporation

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/rhlk3s/biomass_industry_i