Compressed Biogas Plant in Gwalior

• 25 Nov 2024

Why in News? 

Recently, India's first modern and self-sufficient gaushala with a state-of-the-art Compressed Biogas (CBG) plant was launched in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh.

Key Points 

• Location and Management: 
  • The CBG plant is located at Adarsh Gaushala, the largest cowshed in Gwalior, managed by the Gwalior Municipal Corporation. It houses over 10,000 cattle. 
• Unique Achievement: 
  • Madhya Pradesh’s first CBG plant producing biogas from cattle dung and organic waste like vegetable and fruit waste collected from local mandis and homes. 
  • Technology and Output: 
    • Produces 2-3 tons of Bio-CNG daily from 100 tons of cattle dung. 
    • Generates 10-15 tons of dry bio-manure daily, supporting organic farming. 
    • Incorporates windrow composting for additional organic waste processing. 
      • Windrow composting is a method of composting organic waste that involves stacking the waste into long, narrow piles called windrows and regularly turning them.  
      • It is considered to be a cost-effective method of composting, but it can also produce the most emissions. 
• Environmental Benefits: 
  • Converts cow dung and organic waste into Bio-CNG and organic manure, reducing carbon emissions significantly. 
  • Provides a cleaner, eco-friendly alternative to fossil fuels, contributing to climate change mitigation. 
  • Transforms underutilized resources like cow dung into valuable energy and fertilizer, promoting circular economy practices. 
• Economic and Social Impact: 
  • Creates jobs for locals, boosting the economy while promoting green energy skills. 
  • Provides affordable bio-manure to farmers in nearby districts, encouraging organic farming practices. 
• Model for Sustainable Development: 
  • As India’s first self-reliant gaushala, the Laltipara plant serves as a pioneering model for other regions to adopt.

Biogas

• Biogas is a renewable energy source that's produced when organic matter breaks down in the absence of oxygen. This process is called anaerobic digestion. 
• Biogas is also known as renewable natural gas (RNG) or biomethane. It's made up of mostly methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂).