Biogas Growth Needs Structured Feedstock Policy: Kis Group's Sunil K.M

Sunil K.M., Director of Kis Group Sustainability, leads a company that has spent over two decades building renewable energy projects across the globe. The Knowledge Integration Services, or KIS Group, was founded 23 years ago and has completed over 86 projects in the bio-gas, bio-CNG, bio-LNG, and bio-metal sectors. With offices throughout the USA, Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, India, and more, the organisation is still growing its presence in sustainable energy solutions.

Which type of feedstock do you purchase from farmers?
Biogas is based on agriculture. A biogas project requires feedstock. Any agricultural product or organic material can be used. In India, we can say that all agricultural waste is a good source for bio-gas production, and nothing goes to waste. Just to name a few for better understanding are: sugar mill waste, press mud, distillery waste, paddy straw, wheat straw, cotton straw, napier grass, potato waste, vegetable waste, and also municipal solid waste (MSW)—the segregated organic waste portion from MSW. These are very good sources of bio-gas, and they can make a strong project when used in abundant quantities.

Is there any policy on the price tagging of feedstocks?
There is no policy on pricing matters. For example, press mud, which is wasted in the sugar mills—they have heaps of it. But the moment we approach them, it is treated like gold. Something not even sold for Rs 300 or Rs 400 suddenly gets priced at Rs 1,000. This is what makes bio-gas projects difficult. This is where the government can step in and make some regulations, like area-wise or sector-wise pricing. Roughly fixing a price for press mud, paddy straw or wheat straw—that kind of mechanism is required.

Do you think there is a need for a decentralisation policy? Because logistics is one of the major concerns.
In the case of paddy straw or wheat straw, which is very voluminous, there has to be some systematic arrangement. Some agency has to step in and create zones. For example, in a particular area, paddy straw can be mobilised to one central point, and a biogas plant can either be set up nearby or the straw transported to an existing biogas plant. Similarly, in the case of press mud from sugar mills, one biogas plant can be shared between three or four mills. All the mills can transport their press mud or waste to a single plant. This is the kind of arrangement the government needs to initiate through some agency.

There are concerns among consumers regarding E20 fuel, with some preferring options like E10 or E5, and seeking flexibility in vehicle modules to choose accordingly. What is your perspective on this?
Yes, there have been several concerns raised about E20 fuel. Some feel the government should consider involving a third-party research organisation to independently validate whether E20 performs on par with zero-mix petrol, or at least comes close to it. The government needs to support pricing as well. Right now, consumers are not getting any price benefit for using E20 fuel.

In comparison to other nations, how easy or challenging is it to conduct business in India, especially when it comes to clean energy and sustainability?
A single-window clearance mechanism is a need of the hour. Currently, I need to get approval from at least five to six different departments and organisations in order to put up a biogas or bio-energy plant. Because of this, the process is challenging and time-consuming. It will be significantly simpler to conduct business if a single window clearing procedure is implemented.

What is the one aspect of sustainability's future that most excites you? And what will happen if we don't choose this route?
I would specifically emphasise organic waste. If allowed to escape, the volume of methane entering the environment is simply huge and hazardous. Methane is 21 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Simply put, one tonne of methane is the equivalent of releasing 21 tonnes of CO₂.

It would damage the ozone layer and speed up climate change if ever allowed to escape. The other way, using agricultural waste, municipal solid waste, vegetable waste, and other organic wastes, India can truly explore turning this challenge into sustainable energy solutions.