subject: Turning Wasteland Into Bio-Energy [print this page] Turning Wasteland Into Bio-Energy Turning Wasteland Into Bio-Energy
"We can create a more sustainable, cleaner and safer world by making wiser energy choices". ~ Robert Alan
The professor was touring villages in Karnataka, gathering information for a program called Sustainable Transformation of Rural Areas. Soil and growing conditions were harsh in much of the area, and many of the villages were poor.
In one such village, the professor and his team of research assistants stopped in a tea stall. Naturally, the strangers drew attention in the small village. One villager struck up a conversation with the professor, and asked what the visitors were doing.
"We're looking for ways to use science and engineering principles to solve real-life problems in villages like this one", Professor Shrinivasa told the man. The villager thought for a moment. "Well, we use oil from the Honge tree to light the lamps in our temples", the man volunteered. "Maybe you could find some other use for that oil".
Indeed he could. The professor, who is based at the Indian Institute of Science, found that the Honge tree (whose Latin name is Pongamia Pinnata) grew throughout the village, and oil could easily be extracted from the tree's plentiful pods.
He also recalled that many years ago Rudolf Diesel had used peanut oil when demonstrating his invention, the diesel engine. The professor told his colleagues, "Let's try this oil in a diesel engine right here in the village".
They got some oil, borrowed a small diesel engine, started it up and boom! the engine fired up, ran smoothly and kept running smoothly. Villagers immediately began using the local oil instead of spending money to buy diesel fuel.
That was a decade ago, and since then Professor Shrinivasa has traveled to relatively less fertile lands across India to promote the planting of Pongamia trees as a source of alternate fuel.
My wife Girija and I met Professor Shrinivasa recently, and found that he had lost no passion for his cause. He talked enthusiastically about the benefits of Pongamia-based bio-diesel. For one, it is grown in dry lands and hence does not lead to the food shortages sometimes caused when farmers grow corn or soya for bio-fuel instead of other crops for food.
Second, in terms of emissions, bio-diesels are carbon neutral: the carbon dioxide absorbed by the trees is released when the fuel is burnt. Third, in terms of particles that cause pollution and respiratory diseases, bio-diesel emissions are less harmful than petrol and diesel.
The economics are compelling. A hectare of wasteland growing Pongamia trees can yield 10 tonnes of seeds worth around Rs. 40,000. Horticulture is far less labor intensive and hence can be done at relatively low costs, providing a good return to the farmers.
The professor's calculations show that India has adequate availability of wastelands that can be planted with enough Pongamia trees to meet the entire nation's petrol and diesel requirements.
But this calls for enormous political will and an ability to overcome the petroleum lobbies. As a lone champion, Professor Shrinivasa has yet to build the momentum to battle these forces but continues on his path regardless.
The Connected Age requires us to look for viable alternatives in various aspects of our daily lives. It requires us the boldly embrace these new alternatives as they emerge.
It requires us to battle the vested interests and the entrenched beliefs of the industrial age with the vision of creating a more inclusive and sustainable world. And it requires us to step forward the way the professor has, and to support people like him who have stepped forward. Do share your own insights in this area.
