The participation of the sugar-energy sector in the production of biogas could reach 66%, according to studies by the Energy Program for Brazil. The total biogas potential in Brazil is 10.9 billion Nm3/year, equivalent to the production of 22.9 TWh/year or almost 5% of power consumption in Brazil. The sugar-energy sector alone would be responsible for 7.2 billion Nm3/year of this potential (66%), considering only the use of vinasse and filter cake to produce biogas. Leidiane Mariani, representative of the Energy Program for Brazil, said that this is only a short-term potential since the production of biogas in the sugar-energy sector does not have technological barriers to become viable and the fuel is already available for use. For Zilmar Souza, bioelectricity manager at UNICA, biogas is a sustainable alternative for energy production in Brazil, as it is made from by-products from sugarcane, such as bagasse, filter cake, straw and vinasse. In addition, biogas can become an alternative to diesel in the transport matrix.
Source: Jornal Cana (*Translated by Ia Niani)