Renewable energy is the need of hour. It is both eco-friendly as well as reproducible (as the name ‘renewable’ itself suggests). For small scale manufacturers, working in remote areas with less (or no) access to power/energy, production of such energies is like a boon.
#SuperSMEaward winning Ankur Scientific Energy Technologies is manufacturing bio-mass gasifiers suitable for wide range of thermal heat applications thereby replacing and saving of the expensive fossil fuels which can be used in industries as an alternate source of power. Ashok Chaudhary (VP – Business Development) caught up with SMEpost to give an insight of the whole process of gasification and its applications. Edited excerpts:
Q: What is the process of bio-mass gasification?
A: Biomass Gasification is conversion of various biomasses to a combustible (something that can be burnt) gas called Producer Gas. This gas can then be burnt in Engine Gensets to produce electricity or can be used for process heat applications.
Q: What is the advantage of gasification over direct combustion?
A: Biomass Gasification is more ideal for small to medium Decentralized and Distributed Power generation. We do wide range of systems with varied ratings right from 10-kWe to 3/4 MWe levels. Thus these are ideal for Rural and Island Electrification, Captive power requirements in Industries, Off-grid power generation and also small grid connected power plants, apart from a host of Thermal / Process Heat Applications in Industries.
Gasification based Plants are more flexible and modular, the water and space requirements are relatively lesser at these ratings.
Charcoal / Biochar is the by product from the Gasification system which can be used by the villagers for smokeless cooking or could be sold as it has multiple applications. The biochar could be returned to the soil as it has fertilizer values.
Combustion technology is more suitable for bigger rating power plants. It generates ash which at times is difficult for disposal.
Q: What is the cost involved in the gasification of bio-mass?
A: The cost depends on lot many factors like the application – whether Power Generation or Thermal / Process Heat Application, what is the size / rating of the system, the kind of biomass intended to be used etc.
Q: What are the potential applications of renewable energy for MSMEs in remote areas?
A: The Gasifier systems designed by Ankur Scientific are suitable for wide range of thermal heat applications thereby replacing and saving of the expensive fossil fuels like furnace oil, diesel, LPG, Natural gas etc. or could be used for power generation, either only based on its gas or replacing diesel to the tune of 70% in the diesel gensets, used in industries as an alternate source of power.
Q: How much are the renewable energy technologies spurting? How are SMEs benefitting from them?
A: We do more business abroad than at home. Moreover limiting our remarks to Biomass sector, we feel that the overall benefits of Biomass to Energy are being recognized and pushed for the world over. Many Countries offer very high and attractive feed in tariffs and benefits when the Biomass Gasification based systems are installed. Moreover, for the SMEs and the users it also provides the following benefits:
- Decrease in their current energy costs
- Provides security against prevailing energy price fluctuations
- Secure supply of energy to the sites / rural places / applications
- It helps the client’s business comply with environmental legislation.
Q: How eco-friendly is the gasified bio-mass?
A: Ankur’s state-of-the-art Gasification technology and systems are environmentally very sound and safe. The technology does not use water to directly clean the gas and hence there is no process water generated. Clean water is circulated to only cool the gas indirectly and moreover the quantities needed are very minimal. Gasifier does not release gas to the atmosphere and as informed above, the byproduct is charcoal and biochar which are very useful.
Q: Do you experience competition (locally as well as globally) out in the field? How many SMEs are involved in this sector?
A: More than 85 to 90% of our business is exports. We are very competitive since we win most of the International tenders be it from UNDP, UNIDO, World Bank, EU, Universities etc.
Q: What has been the learning experience with SMEs (if engaged with any) and as an SME yourself?
A: Technology is our main strategy and we offer technology as per the local demands and conditions. For example when the company was getting into Europe, much more automations were demanded and thus a lot of automation were developed and introduced. It has also helped us build more benefits and values in what we offer, including optimum pricing and prompt services, preferably locally, through our Global network of Business Associates.
