Training programme on biogas technology inaugurated
A national hands-on training programme on ‘Biogas Technology and its Implementation’ was inaugurated by Dr G Sridhar, Director General, SSS-NIBE, on Monday.
The programme is being organised jointly by the Sardar Swaran Singh National Institute of Bio-Energy (SSS-NIBE), Kapurthala, along with the Indian Biogas Association. It will conclude on October 25.
During the programme, Dr Sridhar highlighted the need for innovation in the bioenergy sector and for the successful implementation of modern bio-energy pathways. He also said NIBE had developed several technologies on producing biogas from agricultural residues, 2G ethanol. He said as an R&D institute, the SSS-NIBE would be happy to technically support the industries in this sector for the challenges being faced by them.
Adarsh Pal Vig, Chairman, Punjab Pollution Control Board, was the chief guest. Gaurav Kedia, Chairman, Indian Biogas Association, and Dr Sachin Kumar, Scientist and Coordinator of the programme, SSS-NIBE also attended the event.
The five-day training will have sessions on various topics — including design and development, operation and maintenance of biogas plants, biogas production and upgradation, financing, carbon credits, skill development and safety aspects, among others.
Dr Sachin Kumar, scientist and coordinator of the programme, in his introductory remarks gave an overview of the biogas sector and briefly outlined the programme for the participants.
Chief guest Adarsh Pal Vig said, “Every waste is a resource. Concepts of reuse and recycling have always been a part of our culture and there is a need for circularity in the bioenergy systems as well.”
He further emphasised that bioenergy was a useful ex-situ pathway to manage the agricultural residues and livestock waste and the industries should diligently take care of the environmental compliance in projects for the success of the sector.
Gaurav Kedia stressed on the need for harnessing the potential of biogas in the country for energy security and climate change and its critical link with the farmers.
An autonomous institution of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, SSS-NIBE has been contributing to the bioenergy sector for the past 14 years with research focussing on thermophilic biogas production and upgradation. The institute also conducts several skill development and capacity building programmes from time to time.
More than 70 participants – including professionals, enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, government officials, academicians and researchers – have joined the training, which will feature talks from senior dignitaries from PAU, Ludhiana, IOCL, BPCL, HPCL, UNIDO, IBA and several industries. The training will also have hand-on sessions for the participants and an exposure field visit to CBG plant in Punjab.
