Mahindra Group’s new bio-CNG plant in Chennai to help produce auto grade CNG equivalent

The Mahindra Group, on January 2, inaugurated its all-new bio-CNG plant in Mahindra World City (MWC), Chennai. A joint CSR initiative between Mahindra Research Valley (MRV) and Mahindra World City Developers Limited (MWCDL), the bio-CNG plant was inaugurated by Piyush Goyal, minister of State (independent  charge) - Power, Coal, New and Renewable Energy, government of India, in the presence of Dr Pawan Goenka, executive director, Mahindra & Mahindra, and other dignitaries.

Spread across 1,000 square metres, the bio-CNG plant aims to create a carbon neutral ecosystem at Mahindra World City (MWC), Chennai. The plant will convert 8 tonness of food and kitchen waste generated daily at MWC, into 1000m3 of raw biogas. Further the raw bio gas can be enriched to yield 400kg/day of purified CNG grade fuel which is equivalent to a 200kW power plant. As a byproduct 4 tonnes of organic fertilizer will be produced per day.

The green energy (bio CNG) can be effectively used to replace CNG as automotive fuel and LPG for cooking purposes as well as to power street lights at MWC. The organic fertiliser will be used by farmers to enhance soil fertility. Overall it will create an end to end carbon neutral ecosystem, wherein even the waste will be utilised for the benefit of farmers. Hence

Speaking on the occasion, Piyush Goyal said, “I would like to congratulate Mr Anand Mahindra, Dr Pawan Goenka and his team for taking this initiative for a carbon neutral ecosystem, given the ever increasing pollution. A clean and green environment is clearly the order of the day and it is necessary for  corporates as well to contribute in a significant manner towards the same. I do hope that today's inauguration will lead the way towards many such similar initiatives”.

Speaking at the inauguration of the bio-CNG plant, Dr. Pawan Goenka said: “It is a moment of pride for us as we inaugurate the Bio-CNG plant at MWC, Chennai, and in the process participate in the larger cause of energy conservation. At Mahindra it has always been our endeavour to drive positive change by making every aspect of our business sustainable. Creating green energy from waste is the next step to reaffirm our commitment to the society and the environment we live in. From being the pioneers of electric vehicles to creating green energy, reducing the carbon footprint is our way of doing business consciously and responsibly. I see this as a step in the right direction towards a clean green Swachh Bharat”. 

The plant will work on an aerobic digestion of biomass to produce biogas which can be further enriched to make it an auto grade CNG equivalent. Subsequently, the purified gas will be compressed to 200 bars and stored in cylinders to power automobiles. The manure that will come out from the plant will be utilised as fertiliser or composted with organic material for producing compost fertiliser. At MWC, the biogas will be used for generating power and fueling CNG buses and tractors. Further, the power generated will be used for street lighting, in buses for free shuttle services and tractors for farming purposes.