Otimização e análise de rendimento em sistemas de geração de energia elétrica através de biomassa: estudo de caso em usina sucroalcooleira

Abstract

The production of electric energy is essential for global economic development. Compared to other nations, Brazil has the advantage of being able to plan its energy matrix using a large number of renewable sources. One of these sources, sugarcane biomass, contributes significantly to strengthening the electric matrix, especially through cogeneration. However, despite being available for a long time, this source had been underutilized for commercial electricity generation until the beginning of the 21st century. The Incentive Program for Alternative Energy Sources (PROINFA), created by the Federal Government in 2002 (now discontinued), and the emergence of the Carbon Credit Market, driven by the Kyoto Protocol, contributed to the growth of bioelectricity in recent decades, making sugarcane biomass an important component of Brazil's energy matrix. This study presents an analysis of data related to milling, the amount of electricity generated and exported, among other factors, from a sugar-energy plant that sells energy generated from sugarcane bagasse. It aims to demonstrate that the exclusive use of sugarcane bagasse as fuel limits the plant's energy production capacity. To overcome this challenge, this study proposes the co-combustion of bagasse and straw, optimizing the use of available biomass and significantly increasing energy generation. It also provides an overview and internal analysis of the entire cogeneration process through biomass. The results indicate that adopting this practice, along with other performance strategies, would enable the analyzed plant and any other in the same sector to achieve higher energy generation goals and, consequently, increase the profits generated. Additionally, this study also aims to clarify and exemplify the concept of cogeneration and its socioeconomic and environmental benefits, as well as to provide an internal and dynamic perspective of the entire operation process of a sugar-energy plant in the production of fuels, sugar, and clean, sustainable electricity.