TERI Demonstrates Biomass Gasifier for Clean, Affordable Community Cooking; Invites Media to Experience Technology First-Hand

TERI showcases biomass gasifier as a cost-effective alternative to LPG amid rising energy concerns; media invited for on-site demonstration and expert interactions

New Delhi, 13 April 2026: At a time when rising LPG costs and supply disruptions are putting pressure on clean cooking access, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) has revived and demonstrated its indigenous biomass gasifier technology as a reliable, cost-effective alternative for large-scale cooking.

Originally developed by TERI in 1995, the biomass gasifier converts agricultural residues and wood chips into a clean combustible gas through thermo-chemical processes. The upgraded system is now being deployed for institutional and community cooking applications, reducing dependence on fossil fuels such as LPG.

Live Demonstration at TERI Retreat

TERI has installed a 10 kWe (40 kW thermal) biomass gasifier at its TERI Retreat campus, where it is currently being used to prepare meals for nearly 300 people daily.

• System capacity: 10 kWe (40 kW thermal)
• Installation cost: ~₹1.2 lakh
• Biomass consumption: ~10 kg/hour
• Fuel cost: ~₹5/kg

This live demonstration showcases how biomass-based cooking solutions can deliver consistent, scalable, and affordable energy for institutional kitchens.

A Proven, Scalable Solution

Over the past three decades, TERI has implemented biomass gasifier systems across India in sectors including:

• Institutional and community kitchens
• Food and agro-processing
• Sericulture and small industries
• Bakeries and thermal applications

These systems have delivered 40–50% fuel cost savings while reducing carbon emissions and improving operational efficiency.

Why It Matters Now

With India importing a significant share of its LPG needs, recent global supply disruptions have highlighted the need for diversified, locally available cooking energy solutions. Biomass gasification offers:

• Reduced dependence on imported fuels
• Lower cooking costs
• Cleaner combustion compared to traditional biomass
• Utilisation of locally available agricultural residues

About such systems, Mr Nagendra Kumar, Associate Director, TERI, shares, “Every unit of biogas holds a solution, delivering clean, green energy, enriching soils and the environment, and advancing a circular economy for a sustainable future.”

Dr Arunendra Kumar Tiwari, Fellow, TERI, highlights, “TERI’s biomass gasifier technology demonstrates a clean and affordable solution for community cooking using locally available biomass. At a time when large-scale adoption of electric induction cooking can increase demand on the power grid, biomass gasification offers a reliable clean alternative that reduces LPG dependence and avoids additional grid stress. Such decentralized and cost-effective solutions can also be highly relevant for many International Solar Alliance member countries seeking sustainable energy options for community kitchens and rural institutions.”

Media Invitation: Visit, अनुभव, Report

TERI has developed biogas technology to effectively manage organic waste and has demonstrated its application through more than 35 small-scale units across industrial townships and large kitchen facilities in India. The biogas generated from these plants is being used for cooking, thereby replacing LPG consumption.

Members of the media are invited to visit the TERI Retreat campus to:

• See the biomass gasifier in operation in a live kitchen setting
• Interact with TERI scientists, engineers, and researchers
• Understand the technology, economics, and scalability
• Explore its potential as an alternative to LPG in institutional cooking