E20 ethanol blending programme is a well-planned, multi-year initiative involving all stakeholders: Former BPCL official
Mumbai, July 5
The E20 ethanol blending initiative has been a carefully planned, multi-year effort involving oil marketing companies, ethanol producers, the automobile industry, research scientists and automobile research associations, retired BPCL Director R. Ramachandran has said.
Speaking to IANS, he said the coordinated approach has helped ensure that technical, operational and policy aspects were considered before implementation.
"See, regarding E20, I am not familiar with the videos you are referring to, as I may not have come across them. However, what I can say is that the E20 ethanol blending initiative has been a well-thought-out, multi-year process in which all stakeholders have been involved-oil companies, ethanol producers, the automobile industry, research scientists, and automobile research associations," Ramachandran told IANS.
Speaking on higher ethanol blends, Ramachandran clarified that E85 is not part of any formal government policy or implementation plan at present.
"See, E85 is not currently part of any formal government policy or implementation plan. It is being explored only as a potential option for the future. This consideration is inspired by countries such as Brazil, where E100 has been developed and used in combination with flex-fuel engine technology," he added.
Addressing concerns over water usage in future industrial expansion, he said industries must prioritise water conservation alongside increased production.
He emphasised the importance of achieving near-100 per cent water recycling, maximising the use of treated wastewater and deploying technologies such as reverse osmosis and demineralisation plants to produce industrial-grade water.
He also suggested that industries adopt alternative cooling systems, including air-based, compressed-air and chilled-air technologies, to reduce dependence on water-intensive processes.
On India's energy security, Ramachandran said the country's resilience stems from a combination of factors, including the steady diversification of its crude oil import basket over the past five to six years.
He said the Indian oil industry, in coordination with the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, has expanded sourcing options, enabling the country to manage potential supply disruptions, including those arising from geopolitical tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, by accessing alternative crude suppliers.
— IANS
Reader Comments
I appreciate the technical details on water conservation and E85 being a future option. But what about the actual cost to the common man? Petrol prices aren't coming down, and ethanol blending might just be another excuse to keep them high. 🤔
The mention of Brazil is interesting—they've been using flex-fuel for decades. India should definitely look at that model. But we need to ensure our farmers aren't forced to grow sugarcane at the cost of food crops. Balance is key.
Good to see BPCL's former director addressing concerns transparently. The water recycling point is crucial—industry should not burden our rivers. Hope the government also focuses on public transport and EVs alongside this.
I'm skeptical about ethanol blending. We already have water scarcity in many states—growing more sugarcane for ethanol will only worsen it. The article mentions water conservation, but is that actually being enforced? Or just a talking point?
Diversifying crude oil imports to avoid geopolitical risks is smart. We learned our lesson from the Ukraine crisis. But energy security also means investing in renewables—solar and wind. Ethanol is just one piece of the puzzle.
As someone who works in energy policy, I find this
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