Brazil’s Sugarcane Sector Contributes To Renewable Energy and Climate Mitigation

Brazil is the largest producer and exporter of sugarcane in the world, and also a pioneer in using sugarcane as a source of bioenergy.

A recent review article published in BioEnergy Research shows that Brazil has had more articles published on sugarcane than any other country in the period from 2006 to 2020.

Sugarcane: a versatile crop for bioenergy

(Photo : Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Sugarcane is a tropical grass that can grow up to 6 meters tall and produce up to 80 tons of biomass per hectare per year. It can be used to produce different types of bioenergy, such as ethanol, electricity, biogas, and biofuels.

Ethanol is the most widely used bioenergy product from sugarcane, and Brazil is the second-largest ethanol producer in the world, after the United States.

It can be used as a fuel for vehicles, either pure or blended with gasoline, and can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90% compared to fossil fuels.

Sugarcane can also be used to generate electricity by burning the bagasse, which is the fibrous residue left after the juice extraction.

Brazil has more than 300 sugarcane mills that produce electricity from bagasse, and some of them export surplus electricity to the national grid.

According to the review article, sugarcane electricity could supply up to 15% of Brazil's electricity demand by 2030.

Moreover, sugarcane can be converted into biogas by anaerobic digestion of the vinasse, which is the liquid waste from ethanol production.

Biogas can be used as a fuel for vehicles, boilers, or turbines, or upgraded to biomethane and injected into the natural gas network.

Finally, sugarcane can be used to produce advanced biofuels, such as biodiesel, jet fuel, and diesel, by using different technologies, such as gasification, pyrolysis, or hydrothermal liquefaction.

These biofuels have higher energy density and lower environmental impact than ethanol, and can be used in different modes of transportation, such as aviation, maritime, and heavy-duty vehicles.

Also Read: Stanford Scientists develop New Process to produce Ethanol

Challenges and opportunities for sugarcane research

The review article identifies several challenges and opportunities for sugarcane research in the context of bioenergy production.

Some of the challenges are related to the agronomic aspects of sugarcane cultivation, such as improving the yield and quality of the crop, reducing the water and fertilizer use, enhancing the pest and disease resistance, and adapting to climate change.

Other challenges are related to the technological aspects of bioenergy conversion, such as developing more efficient and sustainable processes, reducing the costs and emissions, and diversifying the products and markets.

The review article also points out some of the opportunities for sugarcane research, such as exploring the genetic diversity and potential of the crop, using biotechnology and nanotechnology to improve the traits and performance of the plant, integrating sugarcane with other crops and sources of biomass, and promoting the circular economy and the social and environmental benefits of bioenergy.

The review article concluded that Brazil has a key role in sugarcane research for bioenergy, as it has a long history and experience in this sector, as well as a strong scientific and technological capacity.

The article also suggested that Brazil should continue to invest in sugarcane research and innovation, as well as to collaborate with other countries and regions, to foster the development and dissemination of bioenergy solutions for a low-carbon and sustainable future.

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