Odisha To Use Algae Biomass Technology In Power Plants Under Climate Change Action Plan
25 March, Bhubaneswar
Odisha Chief Secretary Gokul Chandra Pati asked Forest and Environment department to draft a policy for upscaling use of the algae biomass technology inpower plants and utilisation of algae biomass under climate change action plan.
Pati also suggested to develop a network approachamong the national and international laboratories to carryon further studies about various use of algae biomass.
Speaking at the international seminar on CarbonSequestration at Bhubaneswar Tuesday , the Chief Secretary said after being recognised as the First State in India to implement theClimate Change Action Plan, Odisha has now added another feather to its cap as the first State to pilot carbonsequestration through microalgae technology successfully with encouraging results.
The microalgae bio-technology helps in capturing thecarbon from flue gas of power plants very substantially andgenerates algae biomass, which can be put to furtherindustrial use.
Speaking on the occasion, Development Commissioner U NBehera said the technology is highly beneficial to curtailthe present rate of carbon emission to a large extent,adding that the government will support such initiatives inall possible manner.
Presenting details of the pilot project, PrincipalConservator of Forests Sidhant Das said the project has beenpiloted and demonstrated in the captive thermal power plantof NALCO at Angul.
He said the algae biomass generated through thistechnology has the potential to be used as bio-gas,bio-diesel, bio-oil, alcohol, fertiliser and protein foranimal feed. It could be also be used as additional fuel forpower plants, along with coal, he added.
NALCO CMD Ansuman Das said NALCO is committed to take upall initiatives for reduction of carbon emission from powerplants, since NALCO has one captive power plant for itssteel producing plant at Angul. The project has been conceptualised, commissioned and completed within a record time of 30 months.