Challenges and Opportunities for the Biomass Fueled Distributed Generation Power Market in Brazil

Abstract

This paper evaluates challenges and opportunities for biomass fueled distributed generation (DG) power systems in Brazil. We were particularly interested in biomass because of its enormous technical potential and co-location with electricity load centers, and the DG model because it is emerging as a means to achieve regional grid stability. Brazil has long been an advocate of renewable energy, yet has failed to develop a more robust biomass market, and its electric grid is highly dependent on long-distance transmission from large-scale hydro stations. We assessed the macroeconomic condition of the country, business environment, energy markets, energy regulations, and logistics of biomass fuel procurement. We interviewed energy regulators, industry trade associations, energy consultants, stakeholders in the biomass segment, and companies developing biomass power projects. Additionally, we comprehensively researched recent open source materials in order to get a clear picture of the current market dynamics. Our findings suggest three primary reasons for the poor utilization of biomass power in Brazil: failure to acknowledge critical vulnerabilities in hydro capacity factors, deficient transportation infrastructure, and price supports that artificially improve the competitiveness of other power sources. Nevertheless, it appears that eucalyptus is emerging as a viable fuel for industrial DG applications. Finally, we conclude that excessive development in the Amazonia region has increased the probability that Brazil experiences a phenomenon called ‘Dieback’, wherein the rainforest ecosystem will transform from a global sink to a global source of Carbon. This could exacerbate warming trends that have compromised the country’s hydro-reservoirs, and consequently stands to jeopardize Brazil’s entire electric grid. The recent drought conditions and the electricity blackouts confirm our findings. Neither biomass power nor DG systems can address looming energy shortages, but they do present an opportunity to insulate electricity consumers from the costs incurred by intermittency. Moreover, leveraging biomass power is in line with the country’s high prioritization of renewable energy, and it has the potential to make-up for stubborn pre-sal natural resources that remain locked undersea. We recommend that Brazil recognize the systemic risks posed by further hydro development, and support biomass DG as a means to shave electricity load demand from already compromised hydro reservoirs.