Biomass energy as a possibility for innovative agriculture initiatives

Abstract

In searching for sustainable solutions for humans’ necessities, clean and safe energy possibilities have been pursued. The objective of this research is to develop a procedure that improves the integration of renewable technologies into local planning processes. The methodology should be suitable for different contexts. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the potential of energy production through agricultural waste, ensuring the sustainability and development of clean technologies, the ideal allocation of the energy production unit, and the costs involved in the enterprise. The research hypothesis is that the potential for sustainable use of biomass can be identified and evaluated, thus showing the way for an improved energy plan for Brazil. The study area is within the Doce River Basin in Brazil. The methods developed in the study could be relevant for municipalities to record their potentials for energy production and pursue investments and local arrangements, promoting sustainable biomass energy generation. The results show that with proper investment, the energy generation through biomass residues could be viable and pay itself in a short amount of time, moreover in a scenario where the agricultural area is increased, growing the power generation capacity of a biomass power plant. The current agricultural production would cover 20% of the local energy demand.

Keywords

Renewable energy / Biomass potential / Doce river basin / Spatial planning

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Funding

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (BR)(BEX 12957/13-5)

Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Universität Hannover (1038)