Revival, modification and commissioning of the biomethanation plant at NTPC Faridabad

Project Spotlight: Reviving Renewable Energy through Advanced Biomethanation at NTPC Faridabad

NTPC Limited engaged TERI for the revival, modification, and commissioning of an existing biomethanation plant at its Faridabad facility. The project aimed to restore the plant's functionality, enhance its operational efficiency, and align it with advanced technologies to enable the effective conversion of organic waste into renewable energy and value-added by-products.

The Technology: TERI’s TEAM Process

As part of the intervention, TERI implemented its patented TERI’s Enhanced Acidification and Methanation (TEAM) technology. This two-stage anaerobic digestion process is specifically designed for the efficient treatment of segregated organic waste. By integrating acidification and methanation stages in a scientifically optimized manner, the process ensures superior degradation of organic matter, higher biogas yields, and improved system stability.

Under the TEAM framework, organic waste undergoes shredding and homogenization, followed by an acidification stage where complex organic matter is broken down into simpler compounds. The resulting slurry is then treated in a high-rate methanation reactor to produce biogas with a methane content of approximately 70%. Notably, the system operates with a reduced Hydraulic Retention Time (HRT) of just 12 days, enabling rapid and efficient waste processing.

Operational Impact and Sustainability

The upgraded system handles organic waste streams, including kitchen and canteen waste, generated within the NTPC facility. Since its successful commissioning, the plant has remained fully operational. The biogas generated is utilized within the NTPC premises, specifically for cooking applications in the canteen, replacing conventional Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). Currently, the plant provides biogas to the kitchen for approximately 5–6 hours per day.

Key Outcomes:

• Energy Substitution: The system generates approximately 5 $m^3$ of biogas daily, replacing 2.5 kg of LPG per day (nearly 75 kg per month).
• Emission Reduction: This substitution lowers operational fuel costs while significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
• Circular Economy: In addition to clean energy, the process produces nutrient-rich digestate, which is utilized as organic manure for the facility’s landscaping.

Conclusion

This project serves as a successful model for decentralized organic waste management and renewable energy generation within industrial campuses. By converting waste into clean energy and valuable resources, the initiative supports NTPC’s sustainability objectives, reduces landfill burden, and decreases dependency on fossil fuels.