Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Mandi have used hydrochar derived from orange peels to speed up the conversion of biomass-derived chemicals into biofuel precursors, which will likely help overcome the “socio-political instabilities associated with dwindling petroleum reserves”.
The development of such catalysts for biomass conversion bodes well for the biofuel sector in the country. Already a pioneer in biomass-based power, in 2015, India had announced its goal to achieve 15 GW of power from biomass, small hydropower and waste-to-energy plants.
Within five years, the country has already achieved the 10 GW target of biomass power.
