World Biofuel Day is observed annually on August 10 to raise awareness about the importance of non-fossil fuels as an alternative to conventional fossil fuels. The day honours the research experiments by Sir Rudolf Christian Karl Diesel(inventor of the diesel engine) who ran an engine with peanut oil in 1893. In India, the day has been celebrated by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas since 2015.
- The day highlights various efforts made by the Government in the Biofuel sector.
Webinar Organized with the theme “Biofuels towards Atmanirbhar Bharat”
On the occasion of the day, a webinar was organized by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, with the theme “Biofuels towards Atmanirbhar Bharat”.
Reason Behind the Theme
Biofuels programme is in synergy with Government of India’s initiative of Atmanirbhar Bharat
Highlights of the discussion
i.If the 3 major areas of Biofuel namely, Ethanol, Biodiesel and Biogas are exploited then India can reduce its dependence on import of crude to a very large extent and import of gas.
ii.For this purpose, India requires appropriate technologies involving skilled and professional manpower, and financial institutions to provide funding.
About Biofuels:
It is a fuel that is produced through contemporary processes from biomass
It can be produced from plants or from agricultural, commercial, domestic, and/or industrial wastes (if the waste has a biological origin).
Key Benefits
The fuel is environmentally friendly and its utilization will address global concerns about containment of carbon emissions.
It can ensure a clean environment, generate additional income for farmers and also provides employment opportunities.
Major Initiatives by Govt.
The following are the major initiatives taken by Indian govt to promote Biofuels:
i.Administrative price mechanism for ethanol, simplifying the procurement procedures of Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs).
ii.Amending the provisions of Industries (Development & Regulation) Act, 1951, long term ethanol procurement policy, and enabling lignocellulosic route for ethanol procurement.
Under the Ethanol Blending Program- OMCs have procured 113.09 Crore litres of Biodiesel from 01.12.19 to 03.08.20.
Under the Biodiesel blending Program- OMCs have increased biodiesel procurement from 1.1 crore litres during 2015-16 to 10.6 crore litres during 2019-2
About Rudolf Christian Karl Diesel:
i.The German inventor and mechanical engineer, Rudolf Christian Karl Diesel was born on 18 March 1858 in Paris.
ii.The research experiment of him predicted that vegetable oil will replace fossil fuels in the next century to fuel different mechanical engines.
Recent Related News:
i.World Sports Journalists Day is observed annually on July 2. The day was established in 1994 to mark the 70th anniversary of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS). This year 2020 marks the 96th anniversary of AIPS.
ii.2020 World Allergy Week is celebrated from 28 June – 4 July 2020. World Allergy Week is an annual event initiated by the World Allergy Organisation (WAO). The first World Allergy Week was observed in July 2011. The theme of World Allergy Week 2020 is “Allergy care does not stop with COVID-19”.
