Name of Organization
Address
Nodal Officer
Designation
Indore City
The main issue that necessitated the Gobardhan Bio-CNG Plant project in Indore was the improper disposal of organic waste, which was leading to environmental pollution and health hazards. Indore generates a large amount of organic waste every day from households, restaurants, and other establishments. This waste was being disposed of in open dumps or landfills, which caused foul odors, air pollution, and contaminated groundwater. Additionally, the waste was not being fully utilized as a resource for energy production.
The Gobardhan Bio-CNG Plant project was initiated to address these issues by converting organic waste into biogas and other valuable by-products. The project aims to use a decentralized approach to waste management by setting up small-scale bio-gas plants across the city. The biogas produced from these plants is then purified and compressed to produce compressed biogas (CBG), which is a cleaner and sustainable alternative to conventional fossil fuels like diesel and petrol. The project also generates organic manure as a by-product, which can be used for agricultural purposes.
Thus, the Gobardhan Bio-CNG Plant project not only addresses the problem of waste disposal but also provides a sustainable solution for energy production and agricultural development. It promotes the circular economy by converting waste into a valuable resource and reduces dependence on non-renewable sources of energy.
After achieving 100% efficient and quality segregation of waste at source, Indore Smart City undertook a unique initiative of installing 02 Bio-methanation plants under PPP model with 15 TPD and 20 TPD capacity at a cost of Rs 6.5 and 9 crores under the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) of Rs 10 crore. Objective of installation of these plants was to promote cleaner fuels in public transport and curbing air pollution.
Due to sustainable segregation quality, ISCDL has taken a step further and set up a 550 TPD Bio-CNG plant at Devguradia with upgraded technology in association with Ever Enviro with the help of Green fund. Approximately 150 crore capital funds were invested on PPP model for a period of 20 years. In the project, ISCDL in association with IMC provided land and earns a premium of Rs 2.52 crore per year.
With the help of the above three installations of cumulative 585 TPD capacity, Indore manages to treat approximately 543 TPD segregated wet waste of 95% purity. The bye-products of the plant include Bio-CNG (17000 kg), compost (20%), liquid fertilizer, CO2 and inert waste (
The Gobardhan Bio-CNG Plant project in Indore was selected based on several factors, including the need for sustainable waste management, the availability of organic waste, and the potential for generating renewable energy. The following are some of the reasons and the process for selecting the project.
Need for Sustainable Waste Management: Indore generates a significant amount of organic waste every day, and the traditional methods of waste disposal were causing environmental pollution and health hazards. The Gobardhan Bio-CNG Plant project was selected as a sustainable solution for waste management that would convert the organic waste into biogas, other valuable by-products and zero waste disposal model.
Availability of Organic Waste: Indore has a high potential for generating organic waste from households, restaurants, and other establishments. However, this waste was not being fully utilized as a resource for energy production, and the Gobardhan Bio-CNG Plant project presented an opportunity to convert this waste into a valuable resource.
The decision was taken to establish BIO-CNG plant because one-year extensive survey was conducted and found that Total Solid (TS) 20-30% and volatile solid (VS) 85-90% and reject 0.5-0.9% only attributed to globally unique 100% source segregation in the city.
Potential for Generating Renewable Energy: The Gobardhan Bio-CNG Plant project has the potential to generate renewable energy in theform of compressed biogas (CBG). This is a cleaner and sustainable alternative to conventional fossil fuels like diesel and petrol and promotes the use of renewable energy sources.
The process for selecting the Gobardhan Bio-CNG Plant project involved the following steps:
Identifying the Problem: The problem of improper waste management and the potential for generating renewable energy were identified as key issues in Indore.
Research and Analysis: Extensive research was conducted on the potential for waste-to-energy projects in Indore, including site visits and stakeholder consultations.
Feasibility Study: A feasibility study was conducted to assess the technical, financial, and environmental viability of the Gobardhan Bio-CNG Plant project.
Project Planning: The project was planned in detail, including the selection of sites, design of the plant, and procurement of equipment.
Funding and Implementation: The project was planned to execute under PPP model with estimated cost of 150Cr. (BOAT model).
Monitoring and Evaluation: The project is monitored and evaluated regularly to assess its impact and identify opportunities for improvement.
- 100 % Source Segregation is the key to successful implementation of this plant.
- The wet waste is transferred to designated Centralized Wet Waste Processing Facilities such as the Bio Methanation Plant at Kabitkhedi and Waste to Compost Plant at Devguradiya Trenching Ground.
- Indore manages to treat approximately 543 TPD segregated wet waste of 95% purity. The bye-products of the plant include Bio-CNG (19400 kg), compost (20%), liquid waste, CO2 and inert waste (
- Processing capacity decreases in monsoon season
- Coconut shell compressed during transportation to disposal site and hence its disposal is not easy.
- The challenge faced by the ULB in coming times is maintaining AQI below 50.
- Another milestone challenge faced by the ULB is phasing out the use of single-use-plastic (SUP) in the city.
- Plant operations time will increase to process the waste.
- AQI - various initiatives are underway like relocation of brick kilns and dal mills, and banning the use of combustible fossil fuels in tandoors, kerosene stoves, etc.
- SUP - Indore has developed disposable-free markets and implemented EPR. This is supported by 3R initiatives like bartan bank, jholadhari indori, Zero Waste Ward, waste to art, recycing and repurposing of plastic at MRF, etc.
100% Source Segregation (Quality of wet waste)
- Total municipal earning of approximately 9 crores in the first two years of Carbon credit trading.
- Approximately 77400 running kilometres/day of equivalent transport fuel is being produced for 430 buses.
- With this project, 150 direct local jobs and 300 indirect jobs are created.
- 130000 tons of CO2eq saved/year
- Low cost of sustainable waste treatment and waste transportation.
- Avoids discharge of Nitrogen (2.39 tons/year) and Phosphorus (0.85 tons/year) in the aquatic environment helps in moderation of BOD of water bodies.
- 12000 tons/year organic carbon replenishment.
Largest Bio-CNG plant in Asia of 550 TPD capacity (Asia’s largest Gobardhan (BioCNG) plant on Zero-waste discharge model).
The project aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),
Goal 7: Affordable and Clean energy for all: - The bio-CNG plant at Indore uses environment-conscious and clean technology.
Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: - Due to 100% segregation of waste at source, the plant ensures sustainable wet waste management with zero waste discharge.
Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: -
Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: - The no-smoke functioning and reduced greenhouse emissions resulting from the plant significantly contributes to climate mitigation.
Goal 13: Climate Action - Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and carbon credit trading is facilitated by the plant.
- Largest Bio-CNG plant in Asia of 550 TPD capacity (Asia’s largest Gobardhan (BioCNG) plant on Zero-waste discharge model).
- Cost of the project is Rs. 150 crores with 100% capital investment by empanelled agency under PPP model.
- Zero capital investment by IMC and 2.52 crores premium earned by IMC annually.
- IMC will procure minimum 50% CNG buses at Rupees 5/kg cheaper than market rate.
- This initiative is scalable and can be replicated in other cities having 100% at-source segregation.
- Sustainable biogas systems include processes for the treatment of waste, for protecting the environment, to convert low-value materials into high-value materials, producing electricity, heat and advanced gaseous biofuels.
