Transport ministry seeks views on plan to include hydrogen-CNG as auto fuel
The road transport and highways ministry on Thursday issued a draft notification seeking views on its plan to include hydrogen-enriched compressed natural gas (CNG) as automobile fuel. The use of next generation technology such as hydrogen-CNG can lower emissions, while promoting green fuel for automobiles in the country “Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has notified draft notification seeking comments and suggestions from the public and all stakeholders for amendment to Central Motor Vehicles Rules….for inclusion of Hydrogen enriched CNG as an automotive fuel,” an official statement said. CNG or compressed natural gas produces lower emissions as compared to petrol and diesel. H-CNG technology is gaining popularity worldwide, with an ideal blend of 185 hydrogen. Worldwide hydrogen is being blended (20-30%) with natural gas and then compressed to dispense into vehicles. US, Brazil, Canada, South Korea have all conducted trials and find that they get reduction in emissions from buses using H-CNG,” according to Environment Pollution Prevention and Control Authority (EPCA) report. Indian Oil Corp. Ltd and Automotive Research Association of India had carried out tests a few years ago with the vehicle engine passing endurance tests. According to EPCA, H-CNG is a promising technology and can be set up in different locations, such as petrol pumps or bus depots. “The most promising aspect of this technology is that it will allow for the utilisation of the existing infrastructure of CNG buses as well as the piping network and dispensing station. Therefore, it can be seen as the next-gen CNG for cleaner air,” it had said.
Government likely to extend deadline for BPCL bidding for third time
The government is likely to extend the deadline for bidding for the privatisation of Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL) for the third time in a row, from the current date of July 31. According to sources, the extension of the timelines for expression of interest (EoI) may well be until international airline services are back in place, as a lot of prospective bidders have expressed concerns regarding the current situation. An empowered group of secretaries, headed by Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba, is set to take up the issue in a meeting on Thursday. The other members of the committee include Niti Aayog chief executive officer Amitabh Kant and Tuhin Kumar Pandey, secretary of the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM). The meeting will discuss the formalities and timelines of disinvestment. “It is expected that the timelines may be further extended from the current deadline of July 31. Hence, it may even be more than a month,” said a source aware of the development. The committee will also take into account a lot of concerns raised by prospective bidders on the back of Covid-19 pandemic, including a timeline extension.
Gas-based power generation to grow at double the pace of demand growth: Morgan Stanley
Power generation from gas-based plants is expected to grow at nine per cent Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) as compared to the overall demand growth of 4.5 per cent over the next five years, according to multinational investment bank Morgan Stanley. This will be possible because gas-based power will be more competitive than imported coal-based plants and is also helped by blending with low-cost renewables. “We expect the share of gas-based generation in the power mix to rise 80 basis points in the next five years (3.5 per cent in 2019-20 to 4.3 per cent in 2024-25),” the bank said in a report published last month. The report noted the reasons why gas-based power generation fulfills multiple objectives — competitive gas prices will help the government to lower coal imports and fulfill environmental obligations and also complement the growth of renewables. It also said that clean gas and hydro are viable alternatives in complimenting renewables. Creating new hydro capacity takes a significant amount of time in India while gas plants require less time to ramp up and down and they also have a very low technical minimum level to operate. Shifting power generation mix to Renewables (12.5%) & Gas (4.3%) rise slowly Gas-based power generation to grow at double the pace of demand growth: Morgan Stanley Gas-based plants also have low auxiliary consumption and consume less fuel to start up as compared to domestic coal-based plants. Demand for gas by power generators has stagnated over the past seven years, with the key challenges unavailability of adequate gas supply as well as costly prices, which have further pressured the financial health of State Electricity Boards. This has led to stranded and under-utilized capacity, creating stress on lenders.