Suani Teixeira Coelho

Ethanol learning curve—the Brazilian experience

Economic competitiveness is a very frequent argument against renewable energy (RE). This paper demonstrates, through the Brazilian experience with ethanol, that economies of scale and technological advances lead to increased competitiveness of this renewable alternative, reducing the gap with conventional fossil fuels.

Renewable energy--traditional biomass vs. modern biomass

Abstract Renewable energy is basic to reduce poverty and to allow sustainable development. However, the concept of renewable energy must be carefully established, particularly in the case of biomass. This paper analyses the sustainability of biomass, comparing the so-called “traditional” and “modern” biomass, and discusses the need for statistical information, which will allow the elaboration of scenarios relevant to renewable energy targets in the world.

How adequate policies can push renewables

Abstract The growing interest in the establishment of a minimum share of renewable sources in the world energy matrix, after the Johannesburgs World Summit for Sustainable Development (WSSD), has raised the question about the means for such new technologies to compete with the traditional ones. The Brazilian experience in the last 25 years with ethanol as a replacement for gasoline can illustrate this possibility. Moreover, recent policies introduced by the Federal government for a minimum share of new renewable sources—wind, modern biomass and small hydro—in the Brazilian electricity matrix reinforces the countrys commitment to utilize adequate policies for achieving sustainable development.

Brazilian sugarcane ethanol: lessons learned (1)

Ethanol derived from sugarcane is an efficient and renewable biofuel that appears as a solution to the problems of rural development, diversification of energy sources, and fossil fuel-saving, as well as contributing to the reduction of local pollutants from vehicle exhausts and net reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. During the 30 years of the Brazilian Alcohol Program, Brazil has accumulated a significant amount of experience in the various aspects of sugarcane ethanol production. This paper discusses this experience and the lessons learned, with special attention paid to the following aspects: (1) private investments now fund alcohol mill construction, eliminating the need for subsidies or other government incentives (so there is no influence of the sunk capital investments made in the past), and it is competitive with gasoline without the need for government subsidies to the industry; (2) the favorable energy balance of ethanol; (3) there is no competition for land with food crops; (4) the quality of jobs and social impacts; (5) the compatibility of existing fleets with ethanol-gasoline blends; (6) adequate legislation can control local environmental impacts associated with feedstock production and biofuel manufacture; (7) perspectives for the replication of the Brazilian ethanol program in other developing countries.

Expanding access to electricity in Brazil

In 1993, the Brazilian electricity sector initiated a restructuring process by unbundling the generation, transmission, and distribution components of the existing companies. This ultimately led to the privatization of most distribution assets and some of the generation assets. However, little attention was paid in the process to the expansion of services to low-income and rural areas. This paper characterizes the main policy, institutional and regulatory barriers that have negative impacts on electricity supply to low-income consumers in rural and urban areas in the country. It also analyzes the effect of the power sector reform and discusses existing institutional arrangements that may affect the policy goal of universal access to electricity. Finally, it provides recommendations for feasible developments in policy, regulatory and institutional arrangements that would facilitate the expansion of electricity supply to low-income consumers and rural areas.

LPG in Brazil: lessons and challenges

Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is a fossil fuel and at the same time an important means to achieve sustainable development. As in many developing countries, this gas is in Brazil the most common first substitute for fuelwood in homes, combating deforestation and causing less hazardous emissions to the atmosphere. It can reach isolated areas without significant infrastructure investments, can be stored safely and can provide the basic services for the most needy, such as heating, cooking and lighting. Imported LPG had a very significant role in Brazil in the 20th century, when continent-scale distribution logistics were established, supplying the fuel to households at subsidized prices. In 2001, the subsidies were removed, correcting price distortions but creating even worse social and environmental problems. Moreover, the Brazilian LPG infrastructure is under the threat of obsolescence. The aim of this paper is to present the case of LPG in Brazil and to make recommendations in order to preserve the benefits obtained from the utilization of this fuel: cleaner environments through an affordable energy source.

POLICIES TO IMPROVE BIOMASS-ELECTRICITY GENERATION IN BRAZIL

Electricity consumption in Brazil has grown twice from 1979 to 1994 and, for the future, official forecasts estimate high risks of deficit. Brazilian generation system presents highly seasonal characteristics due to its hydroelectric origin and sugar cane origin electricity could be used as complementation for the dry period, instead of conventional thermoelectric power plants, with the corresponding environmental advantages. Nowadays, most sugar/alcohol industries in the state of Sao Paulo are energy self-sufficient and some of them already “export” a small electricity surplus to the grid. The potential for such surplus is significant, moreover with the introduction of more efficient technologies, but prices are not yet attractive when compared to conventional market prices, besides the existing barriers related to the current legislation. On the other hand, existing studies show that more efficient technologies become competitive when externalities are included. This paper analyzes worthing methodologies, externalities-based decisions and policy mechanisms to guide governments, planners, decision-makers and managers in the correct evaluation of bioenergy use and production faced to other alternatives.

Cogeneration in Brazilian Pulp and Paper Industry from Biomass-Origin to Reduce CO2 Emissions

For developing countries, electricity cogeneration is quite important due to the economic difficulties of local utilities, avoiding investments for the construction of new plants.

Project BEST — Bioethanol for Sustainable Transport — And the public policies of encouragement to ethanol usage

The ethanol usage in buses is a reality in Stockholm, where the technology is used since 1985 with success from the environmental point of view. In order to encourage the use of ethanol in public urban transportation, aiming to reduce atmospheric pollution in the large urban centers and the mitigation of global warming, Project BEST — BioEthanol for Sustainable Transport — was conceived. It was carried out in nine locations around the world and, in Brazil, it was developed and coordinated by the Brazilian Reference Center on Biomass (CENBIO). One of the goals was to compare the performance of ethanol-powered buses to buses powered exclusively by diesel oil, in order to attract the attention of the society and of the public power. The results based the recommendations for formulating public policies to encourage diesel substitution for ethanol, from a commercially available technology. The engine is advanced even for the European emissions standards, as it meets the EURO 5 and Enhanced Environmentally Friendly Vehicles (EEV) specifications, besides meeting and overcoming the stricter Brazilian limits. Nowadays, the 50 first buses arrive in São Paulo, a result that involves several institutions and companies searching for low-carbon economy and the improvement of the populations health and CENBIO can follow the evolution of the activities thanks to the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), which finances the continuity of Project BEST.

Depois da Rio+10: as lições aprendidas em Johannesburgo

O trabalho relata a evolucao do debate sobre energia renovavel e sustentabilidade, desde a concepcao pelo Prof. Jose Goldenbergda Iniciativa Energetica Brasileira, na Secretaria de Meio Ambiente de Sao Paulo, ate a participacao na Rio+10, a Conferencia Mundial sobreDesenvolvimento Sustentado, que ocorreu em Johannesburgo, entre agosto e setembro de 2002. Apresenta ainda um balanco dos resultadose as perspectivas futuras do processo de adocao de metas e prazos globais para a participacao das fontes renovaveis de energia nas matrizesenergeticas dos paises.