Brazil’s sugar and ethanol sector is testing biomethane made from farm and factory leftovers. The goal is to find another low carbon fuel option for trucks, cars, and industry.
Some call this idea a “home grown pre-salt” path. The biomethane can be built using vinasse and filter cake, which come out of sugar and ethanol production. If it expands, mills could add new lines of income. It could also grow renewable power use in Brazil’s interior. Even so, new projects still need customers, better links for delivery, and business plans that can last.
Brazil could reach about 120 million cubic meters of biomethane each day, using several types of inputs, ABiogás says. The group added that 21 plants are already cleared to run. It also said 47 more facilities are waiting for sign off. This wait is with the National Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels Agency (ANP). Josiani Napolitano, president of ABiogás, shared these points at the Nova Cana conference.
Biomethane starts with bacteria that digest plant and waste materials in the absence of oxygen. That process produces biogas. Biogas contains mostly methane and carbon dioxide. Next, the gas is cleaned to raise the methane level. After purification, it can be used instead of natural gas in multiple settings.
Sugar and ethanol makers can use leftovers from their own plants. That same waste can be turned into biogas. Some producers can then run power systems with that biogas right away. They do not need to upgrade it into biomethane first.
Napolitano noted that heavy trucks and city travel are already places where biomethane can hold its own versus diesel. He also said some factories are buying compressed biomethane. The goal is to swap out oil-based fuels on site. In the longer run, ships and planes may add more demand too. This would depend on better production paths and new infrastructure.
Growing the business will take joint work across several areas. That includes feedstock supply, plant output, delivery networks, deals, and checks for environmental rules. A central issue is how to price the cuts in emissions from the renewable fuel. This matters because biomethane often costs more than fossil options.
Brazil’s Future Fuel Law is likely to help boost demand. For 2026, the National Energy Policy Council wants producers and importers in the natural gas market to cut greenhouse gas output by 0.5% via biomethane use.
This goal sits under the legal minimum of 1%. The council linked that choice to today’s supply and demand situation.
Still, the target can be reached in two ways. One option is to buy biomethane, with Biomethane Guarantee of Origin Certificates as part of the plan. Another option is to buy only the certificates.
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