Energy Consumption of Sugarcane and Corn Culture

Abstract

Abstract-The present work aims to contribute with sustained economic expansion by studying strategies for expanding the energy supply in agribusiness. The characterization of specific energy consumption and energy indicators were performed considering a process of natural evolution, using logistic curves that describe the growth or evolution process. The specific energy consumption in agricultural activities was determined from data on the consumption of energy by machinery and equipments used in agricultural activities, as well as by establishing specific consumption indicators (ratio of energy consumed per unit produced) for each stage of production and by end-use. Two crops (corn and sugarcane) were evaluated. The technology levels reached by the Brazilian agricultural sector reflected on an increased productivity and competitiveness in the international market with improvement of machines and equipments efficiency and operational capacity. In sugarcane culture, for example, the productivity increased up to 50 % from 2000 to 2014. It was also noticed a trend to reduce the use of low-power tractors and to increase the use of medium to high-power tractors, which has also favored the productivity increase. The incorporation of new technologies tends to be more intense in the crops that have an already established market. In Brazil, agricultural productivity in 2014 averaged 73 tonnes of sugarcane per hectare, according to figures from Brazil's Center for Sugarcane Technology (CTC). The percentage increase practically the same for the state of São Paulo, where productivity averaged 83.40 tonnes per hectare. In 1975, the average agricultural productivity was around 45 tons of sugarcane per hectare. In corn culture, according survey released by the National Food Supply Agency (CONAB), the national corn crop, produced in the 2014/15 summer growing season is estimated at 30.64 million tons. It represents a slight decline of 2.6% from the previous period, when the total volume 30.83 million tonnes. Productivity was up 4.7%, soaring from 4,783 kilograms per hectare to 5,009 kilograms per hectare.

Life Cycle Assessment of aPHA Production

“…Land use is affected by factors such as land area, crop productivity, and fertilizer usage. Sugarcane productivity was higher than that of corn grains . However, approximately 11 kg of sugarcane is consumed to produce 1 kg of sugar, which is greater than the amount of corn grains used to produce dextrose .…”

“…Sugarcane productivity was higher than that of corn grains. 41 However, approximately 11 kg of sugarcane is consumed to produce 1 kg of sugar, which is greater than the amount of corn grains used to produce dextrose. 28 Therefore, land use in case 1 tended to be higher because of the greater consumption of sugarcane than corn grains.…”