Tezpur University organises e-Conclave for the promotion of biogas in northeastern India

Tezpur University organises e-Conclave for the promotion of biogas in northeastern India

Staff Reporter  Asom Khobor Sept 1: An e-conclave on “Promotion of Biogas through SATAT and GOBARDHAN: Aspiration and

Roadmap for Northeast INDIA” was organized by the Department of Energy, Tezpur University

as part of its Silver Jubilee celebration on 30 & 31 August 2021.

GOBARDHAN (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan) is aimed at ensuring

cleanliness in villages and generating wealth and energy by converting cattle dung and solid

agricultural waste into biogas, compost, and bio slurry. Whereas, SATAT (Sustainable

Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation) is aimed at setting up of industrial scale

Compressed Biogas (CBG) plants and make it available for use in automotive fuel.

“Both the ambitious schemes were launched by two ministries of Government of India

(Petroleum & Natural Gas and Jal Shakti ministry) in 2018. Biogas technology is a prospective

circular economy system, which is the need of the hour considering the mandates for Sustainable

Development Goals, climate change mitigation and most importantly increasing the self-reliance

on domestic energy generation” explained Prof. D.C. Baruah, Head, Dept. of Energy and

Coordinator of the e-Conclave

Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chief Minister, Assam addressed the e-Conclave through a video

message. He applauded the contributions of the Department of Energy, Tezpur University for the

research and promotional works in the field of Renewable Energy. He also appreciated the

initiative of the Department to organize the e-Conclave observing that it has been a timely

intervention, which would motivate and encourage the entrepreneurs of the region to take up

ventures under the ambit of the SATAT and GOBARDHAN programmes launched by the Government. He extended his heartiest wishes to the Department of Energy, Tezpur University

for successful completion of twenty-five years of its existence.

Shri Jisnu Barua, IAS, Chief Secretary, Govt. of Assam through his message congratulated the

Department of Energy on the successful completion of twenty-five years and assured all possible

support of the Government for biogas projects in Assam under SATAT and GOBARDHAN.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Dinesh Dayanand Jagdale, Joint Secretary, Ministry of New and

Renewable Energy, Government of India said that the e-Conclave will contribute for the

promotion of biogas in northeastern India. Shri Jagdale also highlighted the different schemes of

the Government of India and provision of schemes for northeastern region.

Mr. Bijay Kumar, General Manager (Alternate Energy), IOCL addressed the gathering

highlighting the role of IOCL in the promotion of the SATAT scheme.

Prof. V K Jain, Vice Chancellor, Tezpur University delivering his welcome address highlighted

the importance of the e-Conclave for the growth of biogas in northeast India.

Director of NERIST, Nirjuli; Director, NIT, Arunachal Pradesh, Director, DRL, Tezpur,

Director, NERIWALM, Tezpur; Director, DUIET, Dibrugarh, Director, Sardar Swaran Singh

National Institute of Bio-Energy, Kapurthala, Principal, GIMT, Tezpur were also present in the

inaugural programme besides faculties and students of the different institutes including IIT,

Guwahati, Assam Agricultural University, Nalanda University, Cactus Communications, TU

Delft University.

There have been 14 technical presentations by experts in six different technical sessions along

with two panel discussions for two days e-Conclave. A range of issues concerning raw materials

(sustainable availability, characteristics), operational intricacy, skill manpower, policy, quality

standard, technology, organic fertilizer generation and marketing, logistic of cbg storage,

handling and marketing pertaining to northeastern region special reference to Assam have been

deliberated in the e-conclave.

Besides researchers and academicians, the e-Conclave has also been actively participated by the

prospective entrepreneurs having interest to start commercial venture on compressed biogas .