Second generation ethanol in Brazil: Can it compete with electricity production?

Abstract

Much of the controversy surrounding second generation ethanol production arises from the assumed competition with first generation ethanol production; however, in Brazil, where bioethanol is produced from sugarcane, sugarcane bagasse and trash will be used as feedstock for second generation ethanol production. Thus, second generation ethanol production may be primarily in competition with electricity production from the lignocellulosic fraction of sugarcane. A preliminary technical and economic analysis of the integrated production of first and second generation ethanol from sugarcane in Brazil is presented and different technological scenarios are evaluated. The analysis showed the importance of the integrated use of sugarcane including the biomass represented by surplus bagasse and trash that can be taken from the field. Second generation ethanol may favorably compete with bioelectricity production when sugarcane trash is used and when low cost enzyme and improved technologies become commercially available.

Aplicação da análise envoltória de dados (AED) na avaliação da eficiência operacional relativa entre usinas de cana-de-açúcar no território brasileiro

“…Entretanto, para produzir uma maior quantidade de etanol por tonelada de cana plantada e por hectare, são necessárias melhorias nos fatores tecnológicos, nos processos produtivos de produção e no manejo e cultivo, além do aumento da área plantada (DIAS et al, 2011). A conversão da canade-açúcar em açúcar ou em etanol é composta por uma série de processos físicos e químicos que acontecem em subsistemas básicos que podem ser otimizados (MORANDIN et al, 2011).…”

Potential of Sugarcane in Modern Energy Development in Southern Africa

“…Both scenarios correspond to a mill-crushing capacity of one million t of sugarcane and distillery consumption of 30 kWh/t cane (mechanical and electrical energy) (Dias et al, 2011). Further assumptions include the following:…”

Identification, assessment and ordering of concepts for agro-energy planning and possibilities of spatial analysis

“…Other benefits such as micro fauna conservation, ecological restoration and local ecosystem alterations are also expected by leaving the straw on the field (DINARDO- MIRANDA & FRACASSO, 2013;LAVELLE et al, 2006). However, the net amount of straw to be left on the soil are still uncertain as fields conditions differ in several aspects, like soil characteristics, climate, topography, management, among others (LEAL et al, 2012).…”

“…Although the current stage of the mills are still far from a biorefinery model, the production of high add value co-products like chemicals and biomaterials from sugarcane biomass has a great room for evolution (EICKHOUT, 2012;VAZ-JÚNIOR, 2011). Particularly for sugarcane straw, the studies have been mainly directed to short term feasible options, such as its use to supplement bagasse in bioelectricity production and second generation fuels (DIAS et al 2011). …”