An Investigation on Ipomoea (Ipomoea carnea) Concerning its Availability and Bio-energy Generation Potential in Assam

Management and utilization of Ipomoea (Ipomoea spp.), a profusely grown wetland plant, have been under investigation in the regions of tropics including India. Uses of Ipomoea for bio-energy generation using modern biomass-to-energy conversion technologies have also been reported. Generally Ipomoea growth is considered undesirable as it causes problems. Profuse growth of this plant results covering of large patches of productive land. Moreover, it also blocks drainage system covering water body and canal thereby causing flood. Rapid growth of this plant is also noticed, especially in the wetlands of Assam. In this study, attempt has been made to assess potential of Ipomoea carnea ssp. Fistulosa, the common Ipomoea species in wetland the wetlands of Assam, as bio-energy feedstock in. Spatial distribution of I.carnea in the wetlands of Assam is assessed. Further, energy potential of distributed I.carnea biomass is also estimated using standard procedure. About 244 kilotonne (equivalent energy: 3885 tera Joule) of dry Ipomoea feedstock could be available in different districts of Assam per annum even if 0.5% of wetland area is considered for Ipomoea growth. District level decentralized power production potentiality is also assessed for the state of Assam based on the available wetland statistics and Ipomoea biomass production rate. Overall, 44.4 MW electrical power unit could be expected using the thermochemical route of energy conversion of dry Ipomoea biomass. With 4.8 MW power unit, Sonitpur is the most potential district amongst the 23 undivided Districts of Assam followed by Dibrugarh (4.2 MW), Barpeta (3.4 MW), Dhubri (3.2 MW). If it is planned to increase the area of coverage of Ipomoea in the wetlands, this cumulative power generation potential can go up to 266 MW in the whole state. In all the districts biopower availability in unit area has a range between 0.08 kW/sq km (NC Hills) to 1.24kW/sq km (Dibrugarh). However there are some issues requiring attention in planning and management before, such as collection & transportation of biomass, suitable location of plant, economic feasibility. It could be expected that utilization of this undesirable plant, largely available in the wetlands of Assam, as biomass feedstock could provide much needed energy for overall development.