Precision agriculture has the potential to improve the productivity and income levels of farmers in India by increasing yield, crop intensity, and efficient use of resources. Precision agriculture can help reduce food miles and associated emissions by decentralising agriculture and allowing versatile crop growth irrespective of location. However, precision agriculture has certain limitations, including a lack of proven success with staple crops, which are widely consumed in India. To address such limitations, CSTEP aims to delve into further investigation in areas such as low-cost pilot demonstrations, green power utilisation, system performance validation, and development of farmer-centric business models.
Green urea can boost decarbonisation while reducing India’s import dependency
Urea is among the most consumed chemicals in India—as an indispensable fertiliser in agriculture, and, thereafter, as an important raw material for producing plastics, and nutrient feed for cattle. In the conventional process of urea production, natural gas is the primary source of hydrogen and carbon dioxide that are used as raw materials. According to Energy Statistics India, fertiliser production accounts for 32% of India’s total annual natural gas consumption.
Carbon-to-chemicals: A techno-commercial assessment
Carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) is an innovative concept that involves converting carbon dioxide (CO₂) captured from point sources of emission or the air into value-added products. It has been gaining considerable attention lately for its role in realising a circular economy. In this context, our study aimed to examine the techno-economics of producing methanol and urea from the captured CO₂, while also evaluating the implications of producing these chemicals domestically, instead of importing them.
Harnessing carbon capture to boost India’s methanol energy security and economy
India has an ambitious goal of adding 450 GW of renewable energy by 2030. According to the Central Electricity Authority, the country has 147 GW of installed capacity as of May 2024. We must add 50 GW per annum in the next 6 years to meet the target set for 2030. Any shortfall is likely to be met by coal, complicating our emission reduction goals. Therefore, the exploration of alternatives that can complement mainstream renewable energy options is not just a choice but a necessity.
Techno-economic Modelling of Onshore Wind Power
India has the fourth largest installed capacity of wind energy in the world, with the addition of 41 GW as of June 2022. However, this figure is quite low when we consider India’s potential of 695.5 GW at 120 m hub height and 302 GW at 100 m hub height. To unlock the true potential of wind energy in India and generate power efficiently, current wind farm designs need to be optimised. Increasing the hub height and optimising the positioning of turbines are two options that play a huge role in efficient power generation and land utilisation.
Has precision farming's moment arrived?
India needs to grow a lot more food, and do it sustainably to be able to meet its future food security and also keep its climate commitments. Precision farming is still nascent in the country, but could offer a way forward.
Battery Technology Roadmap: What Are Some Emerging EV Battery Technologies and Compositions?
The performance of an electric vehicle (EV) is largely dependent on a battery and its materials composition. Battery selection is based on performance characteristics, such as energy and power density, life cycle, safety, charging/discharging rate, cost, etc. Currently, the market is dominated by Lithium-ion batteries (LiBs). The most prominent material compositions in LiBs are Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt (LNMC), Lithium Nickel Manganese Oxide (LNMO), and Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) as cathode materials and graphite as anode material.
Emerging Environmentally Compatible Lithium-Ion Battery Technologies and Trends for Electric Vehicles
Among the various battery compositions available today for use in electric vehicles (EVs), lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are the most sought after. They are expected to dominate the EV market in the next decade, thus playing a substantial role in realising fossil-free transport. However, the cathode materials used in LIBs pose some environmental issues during various stages of their life cycle (mining, production, operation, and afterlife).