Energy: 80% of biogas generation potential in the Amazon is wasted; 107,000 homes across 4 states could be supplied

A new study by Instituto Escolhas assesses the potential for biogas production from waste in the states of Amapá, Amazonas, Rondônia and Roraima

Traditionally, electric bills increase in the month of December. This is usually caused by the activation of thermal power plants to supply hydroelectric reservoirs when they are running low. Seeking alternatives that meet the demand for energy, that avoid the dreaded “red flag” (the highest tariff bracket) and that nevertheless encourage sustainable activities in the Amazon, Instituto Escolhas, in partnership with CIBiogás, has issued its new study, “Biogas in the Amazon: energy for fueling the bioeconomy.”(available just in Portuguese)

The study, launched on Tuesday, December 15, highlights the potential of four Amazon states for generating biogas, a type of flammable gas that is produced from organic materials. In addition to generating energy, biogas contributes to correct waste destination waste and can serve as a boost to the local economy. The analysis features complete data related to the material released in early November, which shows how biogas could have mitigated the electric blackout that occurred during most of the month   2020 in the state of Amapá.

According to the Executive Director of Escolhas, Sergio Leitão, the study seeks to provide inputs for the development of the bioeconomy in the region, encouraging economic activities along with environmental conservation: “it is very interesting to see that, starting from elements of nature, we can mobilize, promote and make the bioeconomy happen for the Amazon region, which is essential for generating income and maintaining a standing forest.” He added that, in April, Escolhas will launch a new study, this time on the potential for biogas generation for all states in the Legal Amazon.

Leonardo Souza Marques, Director of Technological Development at CIBiogás, also pointed out the relevance of the partnership, emphasizing that the model addresses the characteristics of each region: “It is very important to understand the territory and, based on this understanding, to define strategies to increase the sustainability of initiatives, increasing competitiveness and harnessing the availability of waste and substrates.”

 

See the results

The study by Escolhas analyzed the potential for biogas generation from urban solid waste (USW) and fish waste across four states in the Amazon: Amazonas, Amapá, Rondônia and Roraima.  It suggests a potential of 136 million m³ of biogas per year, which is enough to generate 283 GWh of electricity per year, serving 107,000 homes and benefiting 429,000 people.

However, less than 20% of the potential identified in urban solid waste in the four states is used, since most municipalities still lack an adequate solid waste disposal policy and the presence of dumps or landfills without gas recovery is part of of the country’s reality, as explained by Daiana Martinez, a researcher who took part in the study and the Knowledge Transfer Coordinator at CIBiogás.

“This shows that there is an unmissable opportunity for investments to be directed to these units, which would start treating waste and generating energy,” says Daiana.

Larissa Rodrigues, a Project and Product Manager at Escolhas who coordinates the study, also highlighted the importance of biogas for municipalities, especially small ones, since it serves as an   for them to adapt to the solid waste legal framework.

“With biogas, the cost of converting trash piles into landfills can become an investment, saving on electricity from public buildings and even allowing participation in auctions,” says Larissa.

 

Here are the highlights by state:

– Amapá: potential to generate the equivalent of 31 GWh/year of electricity, which would mean 12,000 homes served and 50,000 people benefited

– Amazonas: potential to generate the equivalent of 160 GWh/year of electricity, which would mean 60,000 homes served and 242,000 people benefited

– Rondônia: potential to generate the equivalent of 69 GWh/year of electricity, which would mean 26,000 homes served and 104,000 people benefited

– Roraima: potential to generate the equivalent of 24 GWh/year of electricity, which would mean 9,000 homes served and 36,000 people benefited

 

Launch Webinar

The study was presented during a virtual seminar attended by leading specialists in the field, such as: Andrea Faria, National Coordinator for Renewable Energies at Sebrae; Bruno Neves, UNIDO/UN representative and specialist in the GEF Biogás Brasil project; and Luciano Oliveira, technical consultant at the Empresa de Pesquisa Energética (Energy Research Company, EPE). The presentation was made by Daiana Martinez, a researcher who contributed to the study and the Knowledge Transfer Coordinator at CIBiogás, and it was moderated by Instituto Escolhas Project and Product Manager Larissa Rodrigues. The debate addressed important points about the potential of biogas and the advantages of diversifying the energy matrix, and it reinforced the need for more studies and information on the subject.

The seminar recording is available   on the Escolhas channel on Youtube, at youtube.com/InstitutoEscolhas_oficial.

The first speaker, Luciano Oliveira, underscored EPE’s interest in biogas, as well as the importance of further analyzes in order for this generation to become a reality: “the Amazon region is a gigantic biomass wealth. What we need is to face [this potential] with the costs of electricity and the technical and regulatory opportunities so that we can identify who can harness it.”

Bruno Neves, a UK/UN consultant and GEF Biogás Brasil specialist in project management, holds a similar opinion. According to him, “biogas has such a wide range of possibilities that the question is how to combine these possibilities with the demands of the territories where they will be developed.”

Finally, Andrea Faria, the Brazil-wide Renewable Energy Coordinator at Sebrae, brought up the social issue of access to energy. According to her, “energy is not a choice, it is a necessity. What happened in Amapá is an example of enormous pain that can be mitigated through biogas.” To Andrea, what is missing—more than a lack of investments—are solid projects that are well-written and that feature relevant information.

 

Next steps

Since 2019, Escolhas has been working to present diagnostics and proposals for forest businesses, always seeking to bring new data to the discussions. In 2021, the Institute will present a new study on biogas across the Amazon, including the potential from cassava (mandioca) production. To keep up with the news and participate in upcoming events, follow Instituto Escolhas on social networks.