Ethanol, a biomass-based fuel has immense potential of being used in the transport sector in India where the consumption is nearly 10,000 liters of gasoline, and more than five times in diesel. Elsewhere, it is used in many countries as a gasoline blend. Trials have also been conducted to use this fuel as a diesel blend. Currently produced from molasses, ethanol can have other sources in carbohydrate-rich plants such as cane and beet juice, maize, wheat, barley, cassava, grain sorghum, etc.

The use of ethanol-gasoline blend in the transport sector would help in the mitigation of GHG emissions, reducing high levels of pollution. Supported by the W. Alton Jones Foundation, USA, the project aimed at promoting the use of ethanol in the transport sector. With India’s installed alcohol capacity of more than 3,200 million liters per annum of ethanol, possibility of using new substrates mentioned above in the country can easily meet the demand of the transport sector as a 10 percent gasoline blend.

Specific project activities were to:

• Carry out an assessment study before introducing a biomass-to-ethanol program in India
• Disseminate information through seminars and workshops in India on the prospects of ethanol use in the transport sector by involving relevant stakeholders (with national and international participation) and forming a coalition to further strengthen the efforts
• Mobilize financing for the pilot project to produce ethanol from biomass

During the project duration, WII accomplished the following tasks:

• At a workshop in Chennai (10-11 September 2001) supported by WII, representations from the farmers’ community univocally expressed their support for promoting ethanol and identifying diversified sources for its production
• Published a Biofuels India newsletter (earlier Ethanol)
• Launched India Ethanol Coalition - Feb 2000
• Conducted study tours to Brazil and USA
• Organized visits by Brazilian and USA delegations to visit India
• Conducted annual seminars on ethanol/biofuels
• Organized roundtable with UNDP on ethanol
• Reports such as techno-commercial, feasibility, detailed project reports and policy, etc (funding of ethanol projects for IREDA) were prepared
• Advisory, consultancy services including setting up of projects in ethanol, TOB plantations, biodiesel, biomass, bioenergy, and other renewable fuels (GMR Ltd, Dr Vikhe Patil SSK Ltd) were provided
• Biodiesel project for naturol, etc, were promoted
• Studies were conducted in energy efficiency, water utilization and pollution control