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The Renewable Energy Program of Minas Gerais is one of the initiatives which aims at the intensification in the use of renewable sources in the state. The present paper applies a methodology to evaluate the effectiveness of such instrument to expand the number of renewable energy projects and its contribution to achieve the goals of the energy sector of the Brazilian Nationally Determined Contributions, that is, to increase the use of renewable energy by 45% until 2030. It has been observed that the expansion of the renewable energy sources at regional level has advanced by incentive policies with clearly defined goals and guidelines. However, the analyzed program does not attend to all the requirements and it is possible to conclude that the main state public policy of renewable energy expansion did not accomplish its objectives suggesting that a balanced mix of public policies must be implemented in order to promote an effective energy transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The vulnerability of electric potential generation from water resources has been evidenced due to uncertainties of climatic origin and energy planning. Changes in rainfall regimes are multifactorial phenomena difficult to model. Rainfall is the main natural way of restoring the reservoir levels of hydroelectric power plants. The reduction in rainfall levels may increase in the coming years, resulting in a probable change of the energy matrix configuration of the state of Minas Gerais (MG). This could reduce the share of renewable sources increasing dependence on the importance of energy from fossil fuels, which are the immediate primary sources of energy available. Prior examinations have portrayed the depletion of hydroelectricity in Brazil, or its macro-regions, however this work tries to supply a more focused look at the effects on the electricity and social sectors of the state of Minas Gerais. The study developed in this paper aims to investigate the hydrological potential alteration impacts and consequences on the energy matrix of the state, the greenhouse gas emissions and the social reflexes of these changes due to scenarios motivated by climate change. The investigation intends to show the importance of the water-energy-emissions nexus for energy planning and decision-making, in order to evaluate the best options for dealing with adverse and potentially destabilizing conditions. The results of the analyses show that while hydropower demand was 5.24 Mtoe in 2015, in 2030 the supply of hydropower will be 5.81 Mtoe and 4.72 Mtoe, for the conservative and severe scenarios, respectively. In addition, the effect of climate change may require an increase in the share of non-renewable sources in the energy matrix, which could increase CO 2 e emissions from 4.2% to 7.4% by 2030, compared to the levels in 2016. • Reduction in rainfall levels will change the energy matrix configuration of MG state. • Population growth will boost demand for energy. • It is shown the importance of the water-energy-emissions nexus for energy planning and decision-making. • The energy matrix may considerably increase the CO 2 e emissions by 2030, compared with 2016 levels in the MG state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the energy potential of Astronium fraxinifolium and Enterolobium gummiferum wood species that grow in the Savannah of Minas Gerais, Brazil, focusing on the production of charcoal. Two discs were removed at 1.30 m from the ground of three trees of each species, and these were later sampled into wedges that were applied in the analysis of wood characteristics and charcoal production in a muffle furnace. The extractives content and basic density of the wood species were determined, and apparent density of charcoal, ash content, heating value, and energy density of both materials were also determined. The woods under study have potential for application in energy production. Emphasis was placed on A. fraxinifolium, which presented wood and charcoal that was denser, had higher energy density, and achieved greater gravimetric yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The insufficient supply of electrical energy, in addition to frequent disturbances and interruptions, has motivated the inclusion of solar, biogas, biomass or wind energy systems in many Brazilian farms. However, there are few studies that have addressed the technical and economic impacts of renewable sources for generating electricity in rural applications, leading farmers not to invest in these technologies for fear of financial losses. This study was carried out to evaluate the potential of grid-connected photovoltaic systems for supplying the electricity demand in dairy farms located at Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The electricity generated by grid-connected photovoltaic systems was estimated from global solar radiation measurements, considering six municipalities of Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Electricity consumption was monitored monthly during one year in 12 farms. The average percentages of electricity consumption in the main operations executed at farms were 4, 27, 12, 33 and 24% for lighting, milking, cleaning/disinfection (water heating and pumping), milk cooling/refrigeration and miscellaneous, respectively. The monthly differences between the electricity generation and consumption for the studied municipalities demonstrated the technical feasibility of grid-connected systems installed directly in the dairy farms, helping to achieve energy sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]