Title: Going Miles with Green Smiles towards Clean India

Biography:

Lt Col Monish Ahuja (Retd). is currently the Managing Director of Punjab Renewable Energy Systems Private Limited(PRESPL). He is an alumnus of the prestigious National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, Pune. He is holding the following degrees in education proficiency: • Post Graduate(M.Tech) in Nuclear Technology from Bhabha Atomic Research Centre in 2006. • Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) in Mechanical Engineering from JNU in 2002, • Bachelor of Science(B.Sc) from JNU in 1994. In a short span with the understanding of the Biomass IPPs and biomass supply chain management, he set up the first of its kind in India, biomass fuel aggregation and supply company Punjab Renewable Energy Systems Private Limited (PRESPL). The company has grown from a start up to INR 180 MillionTurnover Companyin 5xYears time and having closed its first round of PE investment from Zurich based Impact PE- responsAbility in 2013. This is a big force multiplier to support biomass IPPs, process industry boilers, cogeneration plants, bio-refinery industry using agri-residues feedstock and other industry using biomass as a feedstock.

Abstract

Biomass (Lignocellulosic etc), of varied kinds, which is readily and abundantly available in vast areas of India, can be utilised to manufacture processed Bio-Fuels like Bio-Ethanol, Bio-Diesel and Bio-CNG. This will eventually lead to lesser dependency and use of fossil fuels; which are fast reducing. Biomass will become a sustainable alternate and subsequently substitute for fossil fuels.Biomass Supply Chain Management is intrinsic and critical to the envisioned Bio-Fuels scenario and therefore, it is the bedrock of the theme.