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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: The objective of this paper is to give an overview of the programs, projects and technologies related to the use of biofuels in Brazil. An evaluation of the biomass availability and electricity generation potential for different industrial and agricultural sectors is also presented. As a result an estimation of the overall technical potential for electricity generation based on biofuels in Brazil is presented as well. In addition, the state-of-the-art of different biomass electricity conversing technologies is discussed. A diagram is presented about the organization links and funding of biomass energy research activities in Brazil. Main development and research activities being carried out in this area at the Excellence Group in Thermal Power and Distributed Generation - NEST at the Mechanical Engineering Institute of the Federal University of Itajubá - UNIFEI, located in the city of Itajubá, Brazil are presented. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]