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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]

Abstract Jaggery is a traditional concentrated product of sugarcane juice which is easily and cheaply available to the Indian rural population. Several value added jaggery based products are also very popular in large section of population throughout the country. Jaggery is a good source of minerals and nutritiants and also has various medicinal values. With the increasing demand of this nutritive sweetener, efforts are being made to develop a standard manufacturing package that will increase its productivity besides quality improvement in terms of hygiene, standardization of shape, size, and storability. The thermal and overall efficiencies of jaggery making plants are very low due to loss of thermal energy through flue gasses and un-designed constructional parameters of plant. The storage of jaggery is also a major problem. Since, it is much influenced by the contents of invert sugars and mineral salts that are hygroscopic in nature. This intends us to study the technological upgradations used for the production and preservation of jaggery in order to prioritise the required advancements. This paper gives an overview of the technological upgradation of jaggery manufacturing plants and the preservation of jaggery by using different storage and packaging methods. Highlights • Jaggery, a natural sweetner is a good source of minerals and essential nutrients. • Jaggery industry is one of the largest and most important among major Indian agro processing industries. • Thermal and overall efficiencies of traditional jaggery making plants are low. • Manuscript discusses elements and operation of jaggery manufacturing processes, its up-gradation, shelf life of jaggery and its storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper offers perspectives on the development of low-carbon energy technology in Brazil, pinpointing changes that have occurred since our former publication in 2011. It takes a fresh approach in terms of how likely Brazil will achieve its Nationally Determined Contributions Commitments in the energy sector. Many countries have implemented national climate policies to accomplish their pledged NDC and contribute to the temperature objectives of the Paris Agreement on climate change. Based on official reports and databases of energy development projections in Brazil and the socioeconomic context, we discuss what can be expected for the future of the Brazilian energy sector, the probability of implementing selected technologies, and the prospects of reaching the NDC targets for 2025 and 2030. In addition, this paper provides an overview of the current stage of development of these technologies, main directions, and bottlenecks in Brazil. Analyses have shown that the Brazilian renewable matrix tends to remain significant, driven by the development of solar and mostly small hydroelectric power sources, as well as different types of biomass. In addition, the system will include the replacement of thermoelectric plants powered by diesel and fuel oil by natural gas plants. The prospects for Brazil's official energy plan for 2027 are aligned with the reference technology scenario, which represents the business as usual scenario. Despite this, low-carbon technologies could be implemented far beyond the NDC's goals, given the abundance of renewable natural resources in the country. • Prospects for low-carbon technologies in Brazil are lacking. • RenovaBio Law may promote bioelectricity production from sugarcane bagasse. • Small hydro will play an important role in the achievement of Brazilian NDC for the hydroelectric sector. • Wind power is developing rapidly, but still substantial room for growth. • Solar power is developing slower than expected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]