Methanol is an Immediate Solution that Engenders Lower Emissions and Cleaner Indoor/Outdoor Air Quality: Prakriti Sethi

The detrimental impacts of air pollution on our health have once again come to light due to the deteriorating winter air quality in north India. With hundreds of millions of people across northern India experiencing some of the worst air quality in years, conversations around improving the situation have become serious. Reducing carbon emissions to support India's green energy goals is more important now than ever.

Considering Methanol's importance in India's effort to use renewable energy, Prakriti Sethi, Chief India Representative, Methanol Institute, said, “As the country is bolstering efforts to maintain air quality, it is imperative to strive towards adopting clean, affordable, and sustainable energy. As an attractive fuel, methanol is an immediate solution that engenders lower emissions and cleaner indoor/outdoor air quality. Methanol is widely traded, accepted as a sustainable fuel, and can be blended with conventional fuels globally. The combustion of methanol significantly reduces emissions of sulfur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter.”

She further added “Methanol is a substitute for conventional fuel which is used in Internal Combustion Engines (ICEs) and can be a promising alternative to diesel in gensets. Gensets only require minor modifications to accommodate the use of methanol as a fuel. It is beneficial, particularly for areas that are not situated near natural gas pipelines due to its ease of transport and storage. Methanol-powered genset can support a wide range of applications including providing power for data centres, telecom towers, and off-grid consumers. An immediate, inclusive, and practical approach is the need of the hour that methanol gensets can support in substantially improving air quality and protecting health.”

Since 2016, Methanol Institute has been engaging with the Indian Government entities such as the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), and NITI Aayog to set up the methanol economy. MI has a strategic partnership agreement with NITI Aayog that seeks to strengthen the commitment of both organizations to develop India’s methanol economy through robust policy dialogue, with the goal of reinforcing India’s energy security with an efficacious methanol energy market.