Bringing to light a new energy path: the case of Minas Gerais State, Brazil
In Brazil, more than 60% of the energy comes from hydroelectricity, making the system highly vulnerable in the context of global climate change, with precipitation and temperature shifts over the years. Characterized by its multiple opportunities of sources and conversion technologies for energy, biomass has a high potential to become responsible for a relevant share on the renewable energy supply. Previous studies on biomass energy production in Brazil confirm promising results. This paper highlights possibilities for biomass power generation in Minas Gerais State. To estimate the energy productivity, a Sustainable Technical Coefficient was adopted: a conservative index that considerers the portion of residues that could be used maintaining the integrity of the soil.
This index was applied, together with the data on the silviculture and selected crops yield. The local energy demand was also calculated and compared to the potential energy production. Results show that 78% of the municipalities could have their basic energy needs and 18% of the demand for productive uses met by residues of crops and silviculture production.
For the state Minas Gerais, with its tradition of agriculture, the biomass residual energy is viable and should be considered by policymakers.
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
Figure 7
Posted 17 Jun, 2020
Received 02 Jan, 2021
On 02 Jan, 2021
Received 27 Jul, 2020
On 06 Jul, 2020
Invitations sent on 29 Jun, 2020
On 29 Jun, 2020
On 15 Jun, 2020
On 14 Jun, 2020
On 14 Jun, 2020
On 09 Jun, 2020
Bringing to light a new energy path: the case of Minas Gerais State, Brazil
Posted 17 Jun, 2020
Received 02 Jan, 2021
On 02 Jan, 2021
Received 27 Jul, 2020
On 06 Jul, 2020
Invitations sent on 29 Jun, 2020
On 29 Jun, 2020
On 15 Jun, 2020
On 14 Jun, 2020
On 14 Jun, 2020
On 09 Jun, 2020
In Brazil, more than 60% of the energy comes from hydroelectricity, making the system highly vulnerable in the context of global climate change, with precipitation and temperature shifts over the years. Characterized by its multiple opportunities of sources and conversion technologies for energy, biomass has a high potential to become responsible for a relevant share on the renewable energy supply. Previous studies on biomass energy production in Brazil confirm promising results. This paper highlights possibilities for biomass power generation in Minas Gerais State. To estimate the energy productivity, a Sustainable Technical Coefficient was adopted: a conservative index that considerers the portion of residues that could be used maintaining the integrity of the soil.
This index was applied, together with the data on the silviculture and selected crops yield. The local energy demand was also calculated and compared to the potential energy production. Results show that 78% of the municipalities could have their basic energy needs and 18% of the demand for productive uses met by residues of crops and silviculture production.
For the state Minas Gerais, with its tradition of agriculture, the biomass residual energy is viable and should be considered by policymakers.
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
Figure 7