The power plant in Rajasthan uses mustard crop residues for energy production.
A worker on a blossoming mustard field. The plant is perfectly suitable for the dry climate in Rajasthan.
Workers harvesting mustard. By selling the residues of the mustard plant, extra income is created. Before the start of the project, the residues were simply burnt in the fields.
The separation of mustard seed from the residues of the mustard plant is done mechanically. This picture shows the mustard seeds.
The farmers get paid directly on delivery of the residues. The amount paid depends on the weight of the residues delivered.
The storage of the plant residues next to the power plant (background) ensures a reliable and constant level of produced electricity and allows the compensation of seasonal fluctuations.
About 33 % of the total crop mustard residues in the region are used for electrification in the power plant.
Ventilation and dry storage conditions prohibit an anaerobic methane production, which would have a negative effect on the climate balance.
The transformer station of the power plant distributes the electricity to the public grid.

Summary

Total savings :approx. 50,000 tonnes of CO₂ per year
Local environment :Replacement of fossil fuels
Further advantages :Added value for small-scale agriculture
Jobs :Jobs in biomass supply and plant operation
Project partners :KPIL (Kalpaturu Projects International Limited), located in India

Crop residues provide additional source of income

The Indian state of Rajasthan is one of the poorest areas of India. The majority of the population works in agriculture and animal husbandry. However, small farmers can hardly produce anything beyond what is required for mere subsistence. Mustard is the most important agricultural crop given the dry climate. Up until now, the leftover stems and shells served no purpose after being processed into mustard oil and were therefore simply burned.

Decentralized collection centres arrange for transportation

A biomass plants in Tonk now uses these crop residues to generate electricity. Since 2007, small farmers have been selling their previously worthless crop waste to the plant. There are several collection centres located within a fifty-kilometre radius of the plant so that farmers without means of transportation are able to deliver their agricultural residues easily. The farmers are paid upon delivery. The residues are transported to the factory, where the storage facilities are located. There always is a large stock of crop waste to ensure a constant supply to run the plant.

Our partner

The Indian company KPIL (Kalpaturu Projects International Limited), which has been involved in several rural electrification projects, operates this crop residue project. The management board is deeply committed to Rajasthan, which is the company’s home state. The board is particularly proud of this technology transfer to a rural area because it shows that economic development is possible in areas other than cities.

Employees from the region are trained in the commercial and technical operation of the plants. There are additional jobs in the areas of warehousing and collecting biomass.

Your contact at atmosfair

David Grüttner
Project Manager
Mathematician
+49 30 1208480 - 77