Compressed Biogas (CBG) (Science and Technology)
Compressed Biogas (CBG) (Science and Technology)
Why In News:
The government has reaffirmed India's ability to meet the 3% Compressed Biogas (CBG) blending target in the CNG supply grid for FY 2026-27.
This is a key milestone under the SATAT Scheme and India's broader waste-to-energy and agricultural residue management strategy.
What is Compressed Biogas (CBG)?
Biogas is produced through anaerobic digestion, the biological breakdown of organic matter in the absence of oxygen, by methanogenic archaea.
Feedstocks include agricultural residue, cattle dung, municipal solid waste, sewage sludge, press mud (from sugar mills), and food waste.
When purified and compressed, biogas becomes CBG with methane content above 90%, directly comparable to CNG (Compressed Natural Gas, 95%+ methane).
CBG can substitute CNG in vehicles and industries.
By-product value: Fermented Organic Manure (FOM), also called bio-slurry, is a nitrogen-rich organic fertiliser produced as a by-product of CBG plants, enhancing their economic viability.
SATAT Scheme
SATAT (Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation): Launched in October 2018 by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG).
Target: 5,000 CBG production plants across India, producing 15 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of CBG.
Key Facts for Prelims
National Biofuel Policy 2018 (amended 2022): The policy for ethanol blending in petrol, biodiesel blending in diesel, and CBG in CNG.
GOBAR-Dhan Scheme: Run by the Ministry of Jal Shakti. Promotes village-level biogas and CBG from cattle dung and organic agricultural waste under the Swachh Bharat Mission.