“Plasma gasification technology has immense potential”
“Delivering comprehensive energy solutions to develop, build and operate competitive, net zero emission bio-energy plants that deliver base load power, SAIP is a next generation renewable energy production company that works in a win-win partnership with municipalities, local governments and a full ecosystem of partners,” said Rajeev Sharma, CEO Solena ABSi India Private Limited (SAIP). In an interview with EQ International, Sharma also elaborated upon the plasma gasification and vitrification technology.
What is the “Indo-US agenda for Co-Creation”?
“The Indo-US agenda for co-creation is formulated to engage and encourage small and medium sized companies from India and the United States to cooperate in a mutually beneficial manner. Specifically, small and medium sized companies are taken into consideration because they are innovative in nature and have immense capabilities as well as profit and growth opportunities.”
Could you please explain about SAIP’s activities?
“SAIP is actively engaged in bringing innovative solutions to the renewable energy marketplace in India. Delivering comprehensive energy solutions to develop, build and operate net zero emission bio energy plants, SAIP is a next generation energy production company that works in partnership with municipalities, local governments and a full ecosystem of partners.
“Using proven, patented plasma gasification and vitrification technology, SAIP
converts all forms of biomass into clean, renewable energy and fuel with neutral carbon emissions. Feedstock from biomass and other organic wastes provide a distinct advantage for businesses, industries, utilities and municipalities seeking to produce consistent, base load power both economically and efficiently.
“SAIP is a joint venture of two United States based companies—the Solena Group and ABSi Corporation. SAIP was formed in 2008 to bring clean, renewable energy to the communities of India. ABSi leads SAIP’s efforts and has had a presence in India since 2006.”
What are the key benefits of SAIP’s solutions?
“SAIP’s renewable energy solutions allow for an adaptable business model that accommodates a wide range of energy requirements, whether urban or rural. SAIP can deploy either large, centralized power plants for municipalities generating “multi-hundreds” of megawatts of electricity derived from biomass and inorganic waste such as municipal solid waste or agricultural waste, or scaled down energy power plants in a distributed, decentralized grid configuration with plants as small as 2 MW.
“SAIP can also deploy captive power generation systems to replace conventional, legacy sources of energy. An example of a captive system would be heavy industry, such as a steel plant, using biomass-based renewable energy to replace coal or natural gas to produce electricity.
“Our smaller systems represent a significant paradigm shift where energy generation is localized to areas where the energy is consumed. These smaller systems are ideal for rural communities where access to the energy grid is limited or unavailable.
“SAIP focuses on delivering this range of solutions in a dynamic Partnership Engagement Model. In this model, SAIP and it’s ecosystem of partners can also engage municipalities in a Public Private Partnership and deliver benefits such as equity or revenue sharing. SAIP’s strategic partners and team of experts provide a complete solution for all stages of the project development cycle from conceptual design to plant operations and maintenance. SAIP’s technical team brings experience and expertise in the design, building, and operating of renewable energy facilities to each and every one of SAIP’s projects to ensure reliable, efficient and safe production of bio-energy.
What is plasma gasification and vitrification technology?
“Plasma gasification and vitrification (SPGV) is the advanced technology that SAIP uses to produce power through an Integrated Plasma Gasification and Combined Cycle (IPGCC) system by the gasification of waste streams, such as biomass, urban or industrial and agricultural waste, and even tires, discarded plastic and e-waste into a synthetic fuel gas (bio-syngas).The key to the process is the use of plasma that is produced in a controlled environment (using plasma torches developed by NASA in the US) and is able to generate temperatures up to 5,000 degrees C . At these extreme temperatures in a partially deprived oxygen reactor, there is no combustion but complete molecular dissociation of all organic compounds and thus its conversion into a bio-syngas. This bio-syngas can be used to produce electric power (BioPower) and second-generation liquid bio-fuels using the well-established Fischer Tropsch method.
“Regardless of the type of biomass sources used, there is no negative impact on the environment. Compared to conventional coal-fired and other fossil fuel power plants, SAIP’s plasma gasification solution produces no air pollutants such as SVOCs (dioxins/furans), no toxic fumes, no heavy metals, no hazardous ashes, no bottom ash or fly ash or flue gas as do incinerators or boilers. SAIP’s technology is a viable, cost-effective way to meet today’s rigorous permitting regulations and to reap the environmental, societal and economic benefits of combating global climate change.”
On which projects is SAIP working?
“SAIP is working on five projects currently. It has recently come into agreement with North Delhi Power Limited (NDPL) to produce up to 40 MW of clean renewable energy, using SAIP's patented plasma gasification bio-energy solution, into NDPL's distribution network of North and Northwest Delhi. It is also working on a Bio Jet Fuel production project with British Airways. The other projects in hand include: a 240-MW plant in a large US city, five 40-MW plants in the Western US, and 90-MW plants in two major European cities.”
