Biogas helps Jamshedpur hotels, clubs, hospitals beat LPG crisis

Hostels, hospitals, clubs and industries adopt biogas, steam boilers and biochar as clean and reliable energy alternatives

Biogas and innovation help Jamshedpur hotels, clubs, hospitals beat LPG crisis

Biogas powers Jamshedpur kitchens amid LPG uncertainty

City hospitals, hostels and clubs reduce fuel worries with eco-friendly energy

Jamshedpur: As uncertainty over LPG supply and rising fuel prices continues to affect several sectors, many institutions in Jamshedpur have turned to alternative energy solutions such as biogas, steam boilers and biochar. These initiatives are not only ensuring uninterrupted kitchen operations but also contributing to environmental sustainability and better waste management.

Several organisations, including major facilities associated with Tata Steel, have adopted biogas systems that allow them to convert organic waste into cooking fuel. This approach has made them largely independent of LPG supplies, which have recently been affected by global energy uncertainties.

Institutions such as Tata Steel’s canteens, the Tata Football Academy (TFA), Tata Motors Hospital, Tata Main Hospital (TMH), the Tata Steel UISL Town Office and Chamaria Guest House are among the prominent facilities using biogas for their kitchen operations. In addition to these establishments, several hotels, restaurants and clubs across the city have also started relying on biogas-based cooking systems.

Officials associated with these projects said the biogas plants process organic waste generated from kitchens and other sources within the premises. By using waste such as leftover food, vegetable peels, fruit scraps, dairy waste and agricultural residues, these institutions are able to generate gas daily and use it for cooking.

This system has ensured that the ongoing LPG shortage has had little or no impact on the functioning of these kitchens. As a result, hospitals, hostels and other establishments continue to serve meals to thousands of people without disruption.

Biogas: Turning Waste into Energy

Modern biogas plants installed in these facilities process nearly 200 kilograms of organic waste every day. This process generates around eight kilograms of usable gas daily, which can be used for cooking and other energy requirements.

Experts say this system can reduce LPG consumption by about 20 to 25 percent. Apart from cutting fuel costs, it also helps in managing organic waste efficiently and reducing environmental pollution.

Biogas is produced through a natural process known as anaerobic digestion. In this process, organic waste is placed in an airtight tank where microorganisms break down the material in an oxygen-free environment. During decomposition, gases such as methane and carbon dioxide are released.

The methane generated during this process is captured and supplied through pipelines to kitchens where it can be used just like LPG for cooking and heating purposes. The remaining residue, known as bio-slurry, is a nutrient-rich organic fertilizer that can be used in agriculture.

This dual benefit—energy generation and waste management—has made biogas systems increasingly popular among institutions in the city.

Institutions Leading the Change

The initiative has been adopted by a wide range of institutions including hostels, schools, hotels, restaurants and corporate facilities.

One of the largest biogas plants in the city operates at XLRI, where around 500 kilograms of gas is produced daily. Several sports hostels and club facilities also generate significant quantities of biogas from organic waste.

Hospitals have particularly benefited from the technology. Facilities like Tata Motors Hospital generate around 150 kilograms of gas daily through their biogas plants, which helps run their kitchens efficiently.

Clubs and community centres such as United Club and Bari Maidan Club House also operate large plants producing around 200 kilograms of gas per day.

Smaller establishments including restaurants, hotels and schools have installed smaller units that produce around 5 kilograms of gas daily, which is sufficient for their cooking requirements.

Steam Boilers Help Businesses Survive LPG Crisis

While many institutions have shifted to biogas, some businesses have relied on older technologies to survive the current LPG shortage.

One such example is the well-known sweet shop chain New Gangour Sweets in Jamshedpur. Its owner, Davinder Singh Raja, said that the current LPG crisis has created serious concerns for the food and beverage industry.

He said many small eateries and restaurants may struggle to operate if LPG supply disruptions continue. However, his own business has managed to keep running because of a steam boiler installed in the factory nearly two decades ago.

According to Raja, the boiler is used to prepare base ingredients for sweets, snacks, dosas and chaat items. Meals for hundreds of staff members working across the company’s outlets are also prepared using this system.

Because of this alternative technology, about 40 percent of his operations remain unaffected despite the ongoing LPG shortage. Raja said the system has become extremely valuable during the present situation, allowing the business to continue operating without depending entirely on LPG.

Tata Steel’s Green Energy Push

At the industrial level, Tata Steel has taken a significant step toward reducing carbon emissions by using biochar as an alternative fuel in steel production.

Biochar is a charcoal-like substance produced from urban waste and bamboo biomass. Under the company’s “Mission 2045: Net Zero” programme, biochar is being used as a partial substitute for coal in the blast furnaces at the Jamshedpur steel plant.

Company officials said the initiative could reduce carbon emissions by nearly 50,000 tons every year. In addition, fossil fuel consumption at the plant has already been reduced by around 30,000 tons through the use of this technology.

With this initiative, Tata Steel has become the first company in India to use biochar as an alternative fuel in steel manufacturing.

The company’s research and development team successfully began biochar trials in blast furnaces at the Jamshedpur plant in January 2023. Following the success of these trials, further experiments have been carried out to explore new ways of producing steel with lower emissions.

Trials on Hydrogen and Syngas

In addition to biochar, Tata Steel is also experimenting with other cleaner fuels such as hydrogen and syngas.

These technologies are part of the company’s long-term strategy to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2045. Hydrogen-based steelmaking and syngas trials are currently underway at the Jamshedpur plant.

Experts believe these innovations could play a crucial role in making the steel industry more sustainable while reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

A Model for Sustainable Cities

The growing use of biogas and other alternative energy sources in Jamshedpur highlights how institutions can become more self-reliant while reducing environmental impact.

By converting organic waste into energy and adopting cleaner industrial technologies, the city is gradually moving toward a more sustainable model of development.

As the LPG crisis continues to affect many regions, these initiatives demonstrate that innovative solutions and responsible waste management can help ensure both energy security and environmental protection.

Cooking Powered by Biogas at These Locations