Paper details

Title:

Sugarcane Straw Recovery: Potential of Climate Change Mitigation in Brazil

Author(s):

Souza, N.R.D., Chagas, M.F., Hernandes, T.A.D., Junqueira, T.L., Bonomi, A., Leal, M.R.L.V

Document(s):

Abstract:

This study aimed to estimate the potential of additional bioelectricity production from sugarcane straw in Brazil and its potential for climate change mitigation. Brazilian electricity matrix is mostly renewable, depending mainly on hydroelectric plants. In recent years, this dependence became critical due to changes in rain seasonality. During dry periods in Brazil, the level of water reservoirs decreases and there is the necessity of producing electricity from other sources. Sugarcane bioelectricity is a reliable source during dry periods and has several advantages such as low greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and low losses during transmission. Another option for dry periods is the activation of thermoelectric plants driven by fossil natural gas. However, such plants have higher emissions of CO2eq per kWh produced compared to sugarcane bioelectricity. Currently, sugarcane sector is producing bioelectricity mostly from bagasse, but straw (sugarcane tops and leaves) presents a huge potential of additional electricity production. This work presents the estimation of the potential electricity production in Brazil considering the recovery of 50% and 70% of straw produced in sugarcane fields, and the potential avoided emissions comparing to other electricity sources. In addition, we performed a Life Cycle Assessment of four sugarcane plants currently recovering straw in Brazil. By recovering 50% of straw, Brazil could supply 48.6% of Brazilian residential consumption of electricity and avoid emission of 31.1 million tonnes of CO2eq to the atmosphere, which represents around 7% of Brazilian energy sector emissions. Even larger mitigation potential can be achieved with higher straw recovery (70%) or if sugarcane mills are optimized for energy generation. Therefore, straw presents huge potential of additional production of bioelectricity in Brazil and, consequently, a huge potential of GHG mitigation.

Keywords:

agricultural residues, CO₂ emission, greenhouse gases (GHG), renewable energies, life cycle assessment (LCA), sugarcane electricity

Topic:

Biomass Sustainability, Impacts and Policies

Subtopic:

Climate impacts of bioenergy

Event:

27th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition

Session:

4AV.5.7

Pages:

1714 - 1718

ISBN:

978-88-89407-19-6

Paper DOI:

10.5071/27thEUBCE2019-4AV.5.7

Price:

FREE