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Sugarcane mills currently use sugarcane bagasse to cogenerate heat and electricity, supplying the process with mechanical, thermal and electrical energy. Some of these plants are able to produce surplus electricity to export to the national grid. With the improvement in collection techniques, sugarcane straw has also become available and has been used in some mills as fuel for steam boilers, mixed with sugarcane bagasse. However, due to different traits compared to bagasse, the use of sugarcane straw may pose additional problems of incrustation and corrosion on heat exchange surfaces. Several alternatives and technologies have been studied and tried out in order to increase the production of surplus electricity. Among others, biomass integrated gasifier–gas turbine combined cycle (BIGCC) is a promising technology. However, several attempts have resulted in failure, whether on a pilot or industrial scale. Biomass gasification integrated with internal combustion engines can become an opportunity for generation of small power capacity (<15 MW) and integrated to sugarcane mills. This paper analyzes the difficulties and barriers to increasing electricity generation in the sugarcane industry through studies, projects and experimental and industrial-scale installations that have already been carried out. • Bagasse and cane straw show great potential for electricity generation. • Sugarcane industry in Brazil accounts for 6.4% of the electricity generated. • Biomass integrated gasification and combined cycle can increase electricity generation. • Technological and economic challenges are major barriers to the development of BIGCC. • No BIGCC project already implemented is currently in commercial operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a detailed review of the energy potential from residual biomass for distributed generation in Brazil, presenting the potential by macro-region of the different types of residues generated in the agricultural, forestry, livestock, industrial and urban sectors. The focus of this research is to map and point out, through bibliographic research, the great potential of biomass in the Brazilian market for the production of biogas and consequently the use for electric power generation in the country and especially in the state of Paraná. Therefore, it should be emphasized that the methodology used is based on a bibliographic research from databases and recent research using a survey carried out by the ITAIPU Technological Park (PTI) in partnership with SENAI/PR, using the FIEP Observatories. As result, this research describes through data collection a favorable scenario for the technical feasibility of the use of biomass for the energetic use of biogas for power generation. The distributed generation of electricity from the use of biomass could help Brazil in the preservation of the environment as well as contribute to the diversification of the energy matrix, economic development and broadening access to energy in isolated communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evolution of existing electricity grids to smart grids is aimed at accommodating increasing shares of renewable generation thus contributing for the de-carbonization of economy, offering more diversified services to consumers, enhancing different types of markets (energy, capacity, ancillary services) and improving the system's overall efficiency. As the economic characteristics of the electricity sector tend to discourage investments in smart grids, many countries have adopted incentive policies to foster the deployment of new technologies, which vary according to the particular characteristics of each country. Therefore, the design of specific public policies for Brazil must consider not only the motivations involved, but also the existing challenges for the implementation of smart grids and the socio-economic context. Moreover, the relevance of the proposed policies can be seen from different perspectives. This justifies the need to elicit information from multiple stakeholders for decision support purposes. This paper presents and assesses a set of policies identified by different stakeholders as having a potential to foster the development of smart grids in Brazil. The methodology to shape this set of policies consisted of a thorough literature review of international experiences, combined with meetings with experts in several domains. Then, these policies were assessed by applying a Delphi questionnaire aiming at measuring their effectiveness in fulfilling the objectives associated with investments in smart grids. A first conclusion is that all policies were assessed as having a positive impact taking into account each of the objectives, differing only in the priority to be assigned to each one. The policies that were considered more relevant were: "Incentive Policies for Promoting Demand-Side Management, Distributed Generation and Storage", "Regulatory Changes to Foster Innovation in the Energy Sector" and "Regulation of New Business Models". Among the policies with the worst scores, "Mandatory Rollout of Smart Meters" and "Establishing Quality Standards for the Telecommunications Industry" were ranked as the two lower-ranked policies, i.e., they were assigned lower priority under all objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydropower is the backbone of the Brazilian electricity generation sector. Even though the use of this resource is advantaged in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, last years׳ severe droughts have exposed the country׳s huge dependency on hydroelectricity. Brazil׳s electricity supply system has shown to be vulnerable to electricity shortages and has demanded significant overhaul in order to address its challenges. The present paper provides a comprehensive review of the current status of the Brazilian electricity sector and discusses diversification of electricity generation mix as a strategy to improve electricity supply security in the country. An overview of the main features of the energy sources applied in Brazil is also presented through a review of the latest available generation data. The central section of this work is a discussion of the main causes of the current crisis and the future role of renewable energy sources in a 10-year perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brazil has a predominantly renewable origin electricity generation matrix, with hydro generation accounting for about 69% of the supply. This paper promotes hydropower projects in Brazil environmental licensing procedure critical assessment, with the aim of identifying and assessing possible solutions to enhance the process, especially through Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) application to hydroelectric generation expansion planning processes. It was concluded that impact assessment has led to significant environmental improvements, as it is capable of preventing, controlling and compensating significant – and very often irreversible – environmental impacts, especially through projects optimization and environmental programs that were not initially foreseen in the EIA inclusion. However, as has been expounded throughout this study, there are still several gaps and limitations in the current process, both in power generation expansion planning aspect and project environmental impact assessment aspect. SEA application in the planning phase could contribute to facilitate and simplify hydroelectric plants licensing. Many currently compulsory stages that are carried out after the request for a prior license, such as the consultation made to involved entities and the area environmental diagnosis could already be commenced in the planning phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents a literature review on smart grid concepts, considering generation, transmission and distribution of electricity besides smart consumption, including smart home, Demand-Side Response Programs, and Active Demand-Side Management. An analysis of the smart grid development in Brazil is performed, presenting the policy and regulation efforts beyond investments. This analysis takes account a pattern for smart grid development, and one may observe that Brazil is going towards a smart grid full implementation; however it could take decades and requires adjusts from govern, regulatory agency, utilities and consumers, and more investments. Moreover, some of the major smart grid projects in Brazil are presented, and their characteristics are compared considering the technologies used, location and electric utility goals. Depending on the electric utilities objectives, one may observe similarities and differences between concepts adopted and location of the Brazilian smart grid pilot projects. The first objective is the validation and replicability of the pilot project implemented; once, the project location is a sample of the utility׳s energy market or it is a particular area of interest, like an off-grid powered island with high environmental restrictions, for instance. The second objective is creating a model of sustainable smart grid with national visibility, once the project location is a touristic place. The conception of smart grid is aligned with sustainability, and it is a tendency in Brazil a massive entry of smart grid technologies in the next years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global greenhouse gas emissions from energy production were approximately 40% higher in 2017 than in 2000 (International Energy Agency, 2018), and ambient particulate matter – one of the byproducts from fossil fuel combustion of most concern for public health – is now the fifth largest contributor to global disease (Cohen et al., 2017). Achieving the climate targets of the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals requires better accounting for climate and health costs in energy planning. This paper quantifies trade-offs between selected energy infrastructure, climate, and health costs when meeting future electricity demand by increasing the share of renewable energy, with a focus on variable renewable energy (VRE; here: wind and solar photovoltaic power). Using a spatially and temporally resolved approach, we analyzed three scenarios for year 2030 for Northeast Brazil, characterized by 30%, 45%, and 70% of VRE (the latter corresponds to 100% renewable energy). We find that accounting for the health impacts from electricity generation is sufficient to economically justify deep decarbonization of Northeast Brazil's power sector. Full decarbonization is economically justified when the carbon price exceeds $20/tonne CO 2 , which is less than Brazil's country-level social cost of carbon and only 4.8% of the global social cost of carbon. Our study shows that regional climate and health costs from electricity generation alone can be greater than the additional infrastructure costs of decarbonization. Our results highlight how systematically accounting for health and climate costs in energy planning would economically justify the decarbonization of energy systems. • We quantify trade-offs between selected infrastructure, climate, and health costs. • We simulate scenarios with up to 100% renewable energy in Northeast Brazil. • We model the power system, particulate matter dispersion, and health impacts. • Country-level social costs of carbon and health costs justify deep decarbonization. • Health and climate costs should be systematically incorporated in energy planning. Theme: Techno-socio-economic and sustainability aspects of renewable energy systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]