Popularization of Biomass Briquettes- A means for Sustainable rural Development

Abstract

It is surprising that energy access was not one of the original Millennium Development Goals and the UN has been slow in waking up to the centrality of energy in the poverty reduction agenda. There is a huge current and growing demand to find alternative clean energy sources that meet new legislation requirements to reduce emissions from fossil fuels. Agrowaste as a source of energy in India shows great potential. The process of ‘Briquetting ’ is the physical transformation of loose raw material mostly made of agro waste like rice husks, bagasse, ground nut shells etcetera and other organic materials like municipal solid waste into high density fuel briquettes through a compacting process. The resultant form change increases the calorific value (combustion efficiency) of the product as compared to loose material. This paper analysis the issues connected with the production and use of briquettes and highlights the huge untapped potential of its possible wide spread use. It also offers suggestions to Corporates and NGOs to undertake these projects as an arm of their Corporate Social Responsibility efforts.