Strategies and Policies for Biofuel Production and Consumption in India Across Various Generations of Biofuels – A Review

Biofuel is fuel generated by modern methods from biomass, as opposed to the gradual geological activity used to produce fossil fuels. With a rapidly rising energy demand, all countries have turned their attention towards renewable sources of energy. The uncertainty involved in wind and solar energy is not involved in producing biofuels. Owing to decades of research, biofuels have evolved through various generations. The different generations of biofuels, their feedstock, advantage and disadvantage have been discussed clearly throughout the paper. Biofuels strategies and policies of India are focused on widening the feedstock and increasing the consumption of biofuel. The influence of Indian Biofuel Policy 2008 and National Policy on Biofuel 2018 on the country's first and second-generation biofuels has been discussed. The introduction of the Ethanol Blended Petrol Program has led to the production of ethanol by over 500% within five years. India is moving towards its target of mixing 20% ethanol in petrol and 5% biodiesel in a diesel by 2030. Production of biodiesel has also increased by over 500% due to the Government's recognition of new feedstock for biodiesel production. The characteristics of feedstock over various generations of biofuel and the strategies and policies brought forth by the Indian Government in amplifying biofuel production and consumption in the country has been summarised in the following sections.