Pathways for a Brazilian biobased economy: towards optimal utilization of biomass

Abstract

Biomass is responsible for 25% of the primary energy supply in Brazil. However, future biomass demand will be influenced by many factors. This study evaluates potential pathways for the utilization of biomass in Brazil until 2050, while considering novel biobased sectors (renewable jet fuel and biochemicals), resource competition, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Whereas other least‐cost optimization models assess biobased options to meet energy and chemicals demand in Brazil to a limited extent, this study provides a detailed breakdown of biomass feedstock, including an extensive portfolio of biomass conversion technologies. A least‐cost optimization model is used to assess the demand for energy and chemicals, and the competition between biomass and other climate‐mitigation measures such as renewable power generation technologies, carbon capture and storage (CCS), and energy efficiency. Varied over the three scenarios, 86–96% of the sustainable biomass supply potential is used. Under more stringent mitigation targets, novel biomass conversion technologies start to play an important role: Biobased electricity production with CCS, jet fuel production from lignocellulosic biomass, and chemicals are partly produced from ethanol and bio‐naphtha. The modeling framework provides a transparent view of which type of biomass can be used for which specific purpose. It is therefore an interesting tool for future research, for example to examine the dynamic interaction with demand for land. © 2019 The Authors. Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining published by Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

System analysis of the bio‐based economy in Colombia: A bottom‐up energy system model and scenario analysis

“… *** Current sugarcane yield was taken as an average figure for the last decade, 67 and it was assumed to remain constant because current figures are relatively high and future expansion could occur into regions of poorer land quality. Energy yield was based on Lap et al 26 and included up to 128 GJ/ha of available field residues, considering that at least half of the residues stay in the field for ecological reasons. …”

“…Such a transition depends on the dynamic competition between biomass sources, conversion technologies, and sectors 9 . Other alternatives for the supply of energy and chemicals, and the imperative for GHG mitigation 26–29 also need to be factored into the transition process.…”

“…However, their aggregate resolution may fall short of addressing the complexity of the BBE at country scale 35 . Moreover, their respective scopes may have overlooked the emerging roles of biomass in aviation fuels and biochemicals 10,26–28,36,37 …”

“…Biomass‐oriented ESMs have been applied to other case studies, 45–51 as in the work of Tsiropoulos et al ., 8,27 who integrated a detailed representation of the (bio)chemical industry and aviation biofuels into an ESM for the Netherlands. In another example, Lap et al 26 . amended an ESM of Brazil with a thorough depiction of biorefineries and BECCS technologies in the sugarcane sector.…”

Achieving negative emissions in plastics life cycles through the conversion of biomass feedstock

“…Nonetheless, the scientific literature on IAMs still lacks evaluating NETs through the conversion of biomass into chemical products 18 . Exceptions are Daioglou et al ., 26–28 which include in their modeling exercise the demand from the non‐energy sector, although in an aggregate manner, for basic petrochemicals; and Lap et al 29 . who explored in an IAM the biomass competition between energy and chemicals, however, the analysis was restricted to a few petrochemicals and leaves the competition between energy and food out of the scope.…”