SUGARCANE BASED ENERGY CARRIERS FOR AUTOMOBILES, A COST COMPETITIVE NEAR ZERO ENERGY ALTERNATIVE

Abstract:

Bioenergy is rooted in the carbon cycle and solar powered energy conversions. These conversions yield several energy carriers, including liquid fuels, which are currently a pivotal energy storage option. Sugarcane stands out because it converts solar energy in electricity and ethanol. Photosynthesis uptakes CO2 from the atmosphere and sugar fermentation releases a pure stream of CO2 that can be diverted to geological storage. Stack emissions from biomass combustion in stationary power plants might be directed to bioenergy carbon capture and storage (BECCS). In regions with arable land available and proper climate, sugarcane-based energy is a sustainable option. The technology is especially attractive to developing countries in the tropical region and due to its electricity generation potential, it is a cost competitive technology to the transition to electrification.

The total BECCS potential of sugarcane-based energy carriers is 4,5 kg of CO2 per liter of ethanol. Considering the lifecycle emissions, including land use change effects (46 gCO2e/MJ), and the substitution of a state of the art plug in hybrid vehicle fueled with sugarcane-based energy carriers for a gasoline fueled internal combustion engine vehicle, 5.76 thousand metric tons of CO2 emissions are avoided per year (Moreira e Pacca 2020). Assuming a carbon price of $30/metric ton of CO2 this yields an annual income of $173 per vehicle. Currently in Brazil the sales price of ethanol and gasoline are respectively $0.79and $0.49 per liter, which demonstrates that even considering the energy equivalence ethanol is cost competitive. Sao Paulo State in Brazil was responsible for 50% of the domestic ethanol production over the last decade and the area covered by native forests in the region has increased 5% over the same period (GESP 2020).

References

Governo do Estado de São Paulo (GESP). 2020. Secretaria de Infraestrutura e Meio Ambiente. Novo Inventário Florestal do ESP aponta crescimento de 214 mil hectares de vegetação nativa no território paulista. https://www.infraestruturameioambiente.sp.gov.br/2020/07/novo-inventario-florestal-do-esp-aponta-crescimento-de-214-mil-hectares-de-vegetacao-nativa-no-territorio-paulista/ <accessed in 07/29/2020>

Moreira, Jose R., e Sergio A. Pacca. “The Climate Change Mitigation Potential of Sugarcane Based Technologies for Automobiles; CO2 Negative Emissions in Sight”. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment 86 (September, 2020): 102454. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2020.102454.