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U.S. – India Biofuels Summit 2024 Explored Use of Ethanol Beyond the Pump in Aviation and Clean Cooking Fuel
Insights from the U.S.-India Biofuels Summit 2024
On 23 April 2024, the U.S. Grains Council and the U.S. India Strategic Partnership Forum organized the U.S. – India Biofuels Summit 2024 in New Delhi. The Summit brought together key stakeholders to explore the production of ethanol, which has the potential to shape the future energy landscape. Attended by global and Indian industry leaders, policymakers, and experts, the summit facilitated discussions on crucial topics such as market trends, emerging ethanol use cases, and the potential for enhanced US-India collaboration on biofuels.
Giving the opening remarks, U.S. Ambassador to India Mr. Eric Garcetti emphasized that the partnership between the U.S. and India on biofuels had the potential to be historic and help achieve sustainable development goals to protect populations vulnerable to climate risks.
India’s Ethanol Blending Program (EBP) has witnessed substantial growth, with the blending rate rising from a mere 1.53 percent in 2013-14 to an impressive 10.17 percent by 2022. Having achieved its 10 percent ethanol blending target (E10) five months ahead of schedule in June 2022, India now aims to achieve a 20 percent blend (E20) by the end of 2025. To achieve E20, India will need substantial quantities of ethanol. According to a report by Arcus Policy Research, by 2026, India will need an estimated 13.5 billion liters of ethanol, with 10.16 billion liters for fuel blending alone.
Diversifying feedstocks for ethanol production emerged as an important discussion item, which is essential if India were to achieve the required ethanol demand. While the country’s ethanol production has heavily relied on sugarcane, crops such as maize emerged as an alternative feedstock due to advantages like requiring less water, making it a more resource-efficient option. Utilizing agricultural, forestry, and industrial waste for ethanol production was also discussed, given the urgent need for waste management in India. Maximizing ethanol production while minimizing the environmental footprint is crucial, and byproducts from bioprocessing can help support a circular economy model for increased sustainability.
As the world looks to new solutions for decarbonization, Sustainable Aviation Fuel or SAF has achieved global support as a non-fossil derived fuel. The alcohol-to-jet or ATJ technology relies on abundantly available and low-carbon ethanol as a raw material to generate SAF. To successfully meet local and global SAF blending targets, India needs to develop a robust supply chain and ensure consistent, year-round availability of ethanol.
The summit also focused discussions around the immense potential for a U.S.-India partnership in enhancing climate change resilience and sustainability. The United States, with its extensive experience in improving the efficiency and sustainability of its biofuel industry, can share its experience and insights with India to support the transition to cleaner fuels.
Participants at the summit applauded India’s role in the establishment of the Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA) and added that for India, the GBA marks a significant step towards a more sustainable energy future. However, speakers highlighted that challenges such as technology transfer and geopolitical complexities continue to pose constraints for the GBA. Addressing these concerns will be crucial to ensuring the alliance’s long-term sustainability.
The U.S. – India Biofuels Summit 2024 highlighted the immense potential for a U.S.-India partnership in promoting sustainable development goals and mitigating climate risks. By leveraging their respective strengths and collaborating on innovative solutions, the two countries can lead the way in transitioning to a more sustainable energy future, benefiting both their populations and the global community.