QUES . How can India achieve energy independence through clean technology by 2047? How can biotechnology play a crucial role in this endeavour? Answer in 150 words.10 marks. UPSC MAINS 2025. GS PAPER 3

HINTS:

India is the third largest energy consumer in the world and its energy demand will quadruple in the coming decades thanks to the rapid economic growth. Realising the fact, India has set itself the goal of achieving energy independence by 2047 to achieve energy security, overcome its chronic trade and current account deficits, and realize decarbonization.

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How can India achieve energy independence through clean technology by 2047?

Expansion and Scaling up Renewable Energy Generation: Through large solar parks like Scheme for “Development of Solar Parks and Ultra-Mega Solar Power Projects”(2014); rooftop solar program like the PM Surya Ghar scheme, PM KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan) initiative for agricultural solarization; offshore wind energy production; Green Energy Corridors; etc.

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Hybrid Systems combining wind and solar energy: Adopting hybrid options that combine wind and solar energy to enhance grid stability and provide more reliable power. For example, The Gujarat Hybrid Renewable Energy Park or Khavda Solar Park is a renewable energy park in Kutch district of Gujarat. Slated to be the world’s largest hybrid renewable energy park, it is expected to generate 30 gigawatts (GW) from solar panels and wind turbines.

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Promoting Green hydrogen: Green hydrogen, produced from renewable energy and water electrolysis, offers industries a path to decarbonization by replacing fossil fuels in sectors like steel, chemicals, and transportation, and by being converted into derivatives like green ammonia and methanol. For example, National Green Hydrogen Mission(2023).

Scaling up Biomass for the Energy Transition: Advanced technologies, such as gasification and pyrolysis, can convert biomass into gaseous and liquid fuels with greater efficiency and versatility. Biomass can be converted into liquid fuels like ethanol and biodiesel. Additionally, biomass can be co-fired with coal in existing power plants reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Scaling photovoltaic (PV) cells: Increasing the overall power output of a PV system, typically from small residential systems to large, utility-scale power plants.

Electric Vehicle Incentives: The government should offer different types of financial incentives to make electric vehicles more affordable.

EV logistics overhaul: Transforming both EV manufacturing supply chains and the logistics supporting EV fleet operations, requiring new systems for battery handling, optimized charging, and the management of end-of-life batteries.

Replacement of fossil fuel technologies: Widespread replacement of fossil fuel technologies with electricity generated from renewables (solar, wind, hydro,etc.) across all sectors of the economy, including transport, industry, and buildings, to achieve deep decarbonization and net-zero emissions.

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Promoting Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF): SAF is an alternative fuel made from non-petroleum feedstocks that reduces emissions from air transportation.

Energy Efficiency Measures: Promoting energy efficient appliances; upgrading existing machinery and equipment in industries with new technology to enhance efficiency and sustainability; green building codes, etc. For example, Energy Conservation and Sustainable Building Code (ECSBC); GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment).

Urban mining: Recovering and reusing valuable materials like Lithium, Nickel, Cobalt, etc. from discarded batteries and electronic goods.

Grid Modernization: Investing in grid infrastructure, including pumped storage and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), to enhance the reliability and stability of the grid.

Green bonds: Actively issuing sovereign green bonds, with the proceeds earmarked for green infrastructure projects.

How can biotechnology play a crucial role in achieving energy independence through clean technology by 2047?

Cellulosic ethanol: Biotech techniques use enzymes and microbes to break down lignocellulosic biomass from agricultural waste, such as sugarcane bagasse and rice straw, into fermentable sugars for ethanol production.

Algae-based biofuels: Microalgae can be cultivated on non-arable land, or even in wastewater, and have high oil content and rapid growth rates. Genetic engineering can optimize algal strains for maximum lipid accumulation to produce biodiesel, bioethanol, and biobutanol.

Bio-CNG: Anaerobic digestion of organic waste is being promoted through government schemes like the SATAT initiative. This process converts municipal waste, agricultural residues, and animal dung into Compressed Biogas (CBG), which has a high methane content and can replace fossil-based natural gas.

Bio-Hydrogen: Through enzymatic and microbial processes, biotechnology can produce green hydrogen, a clean fuel with high potential to decarbonize transportation and industry.

Biorefineries: These facilities use biological processes to convert biomass and waste into a range of valuable products, including biofuels, bioplastics, and bio-based chemicals. This reduces reliance on petrochemicals and supports net-zero goals.

BECCS (Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage) and biochar: Both are negative emission technologies that remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. BECCS involves burning biomass for energy while capturing and storing the resulting CO2 in geological formations. Biochar is produced through pyrolysis, a process that converts biomass into a stable, carbon-rich material that can be incorporated into soil to sequester carbon. Co-deploying BECCS with biochar can enhance carbon removal potential, lower costs, and improve soil quality.

Synthetic biology: It is used to create “green molecules” by engineering organisms like plants and microbes to produce sustainable chemicals, biofuels, and materials, minimizing pollution and carbon footprint.

Conclusion

India has a unique advantage to leapfrog to a clean energy future since the bulk of its energy infrastructure has yet to be built. However, achieving energy independence through clean technology would require significant policy support, including deployment mandates for clean technologies, financial and policy support for emerging technologies such as green hydrogen, and investment in domestic manufacturing capacity.