Socio-environmental and economic feasibility analysis of alternatives for energy production from sugarcane byproducts system for plants in the region of Ribeirão Preto - SP

Author(s)

Alexei José Zaratini

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Ribeirão Preto.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Economia, Administração e Contabilidade de Ribeirão Preto (PCARP/BC)
• Defense date: 2013-10-11

Examining board members

Sonia Valle Walter Borges de Oliveira; Thiago Liborio Romanelli

• Advisor: Sonia Valle Walter Borges de Oliveira

Abstract

Sustainability has been more valued as humanity begins to realize the consequences for disregarding laws of balance of natural resources. Then, rearranging production ways and processes in view of better utilization of by-products, as well as focusing efforts and resources on renewable energy sources are becoming increasingly important points. The Brazilian energy matrix is predominantly hydroelectric but other energy sources including the ones generated from wastes also have receives increasing attention in Brazil. In this context the objective of this research is to evaluate socioeconomic and environmentalfeasibility of alternativesfor energy production from sugarcane by-products. This type of research is qualitative and quantitative, applied, involving the characterization and comparison of various alternatives, as cost variables, production, logistics, emissions, tax payment, energy efficiency, among others. For primary data collection, interviews were conducted with managers and technicians of sugarcane industry, researchers and policy makers in the field of study. To collect quantitative data forms were used in order to collect data regarding the volume of waste produced, energy productivity of alternatives, implementation costs and other related processes and variables. Quantitative analyzes of data were performed by the application of a model of Monte Carlo simulation and sensitivity analyzes within the context of the methodology RBMCA (Risk-Based Multi Criteria Assessment). For economic feasibility analysis of investment were applied financial mathematic techniques, such as coefficient Benefit / Cost (B / C) and Net Present Value (NPV) of the alternatives. As a result, the research allowed bringing to Brazilian sugarcane industry reality a methodology of feasibility assessment that takes into account the risk involved in the variables considered, the RBMCA, applied to projects involving bagasse, vinasse and straw. Research also allowed to check the direction of researches dedicatedto analyses alternatives uses of sugar and ethanol byproducts and availability of information regarding the environmental aspects of the projects involved in the analyzes. At the end of methodology application, it was possible to verify that there is a difference in projects feasibility which makes necessary the research development dedicated to raising environmental aspects and technical feasibility of more projects that can be deployed. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/04630-3 - Socio-economic and environmental feasibility analisys for energy production alternatives to sugar-ethanol system sub-products
• Grantee: Alexei Jose Zaratini
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master