• Energy Research

This study aimed to determine theoretically, the electrical optimum power of LFG using the maximum net benefit (MNB) methodology, and taking into consideration the economic, demographic, and regional aspects of the Inter municipal Consortium of the Micro-region of the High Sapucaí for Sanitary Landfill (CIMASAS, as acronym in Portuguese), that is located in the southern part of the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. To this end, the prognosis for a 20-year period of household solid waste generation in this region was estimated and quantified based on population data, in order to estimate the LFG production and the energy that can be generated. From this point, the optimum power for thermal power plant (TPP) by LFG was determined. The results indicated that the landfill in this region could produce more 66,293,282m3CH4 (with maximum power of 997kW in 2036) in twenty years and that there would be no economic viability to generate energy from LFG, because the Net Present Value (NPV) would not be positive. The smallest population to that can achieve a minimum attractiveness rate (MAR) of 15% should be 3,700,000 inhabitants under the conditions studied. Considering the Brazilian National Electric Energy Agency (ANEEL) Resolutions, it would be 339,000 inhabitants with an installed power of 440kW. In addition, the outcome of the CIMASAS case-study demonstrated the applicability of MNB methodology for the determination of TPP optimum power.

This study aimed to determine theoretically, the electrical optimum power of LFG using the maximum net benefit (MNB) methodology, and taking into consideration the economic, demographic, and regional aspects of the Inter municipal Consortium of the Micro-region of the High Sapucaí for Sanitary Landfill (CIMASAS, as acronym in Portuguese), that is located in the southern part of the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. To this end, the prognosis for a 20-year period of household solid waste generation in this region was estimated and quantified based on population data, in order to estimate the LFG production and the energy that can be generated. From this point, the optimum power for thermal power plant (TPP) by LFG was determined. The results indicated that the landfill in this region could produce more 66,293,282m3CH4 (with maximum power of 997kW in 2036) in twenty years and that there would be no economic viability to generate energy from LFG, because the Net Present Value (NPV) would not be positive. The smallest population to that can achieve a minimum attractiveness rate (MAR) of 15% should be 3,700,000 inhabitants under the conditions studied. Considering the Brazilian National Electric Energy Agency (ANEEL) Resolutions, it would be 339,000 inhabitants with an installed power of 440kW. In addition, the outcome of the CIMASAS case-study demonstrated the applicability of MNB methodology for the determination of TPP optimum power.

Abstract An anaerobic wastewater treatment generates at the end of its process an anaerobic biomass, also known as anaerobic sludge, and a major sub product, the biogas, composed mainly by methane (CH4) and carbonic gas (CO2). The biogas needs to be collected in order to be flared or used in another process, especially because it cannot be released directly into the atmosphere due to methane gas and its high global warming potential. Nevertheless, when this gas is burnt, an energy vector for micro generation is discarded. In the present work was designed a thermal power plant using the biogas produced in an anaerobic wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) through an implementation methodology that considers the population growth according to a southeast ordinary Brazilian city. The energy production potential, avoided CO2 emissions due to the biogas burnt and the possibility of using this energy to supply the WWTP’s internal demand consumption were analyzed, as well as the project’s economic viability and the arising benefits from carbon credits, calculated in three scenarios. The data of calculus were based on the Brazilian sales tariffs obtained from Brazilian National Electric Energy Agency – ANEEL, where: i) T1 = 64.9 [US$/MWh] (average tariff on Brazilian energy auction A-5); ii) T2 = 86.47 [US$/MWh] (average tariff for thermal power plants in the same auction), and iii) the third scenario, in which the energy produced would be consumed by the WWTP’s internal demand. The economic viability was only achieved in second and third scenarios, being intensified in the scenario that WWTP’s internal demand is supplied using the energy generated in the biogas plant.

Abstract An anaerobic wastewater treatment generates at the end of its process an anaerobic biomass, also known as anaerobic sludge, and a major sub product, the biogas, composed mainly by methane (CH4) and carbonic gas (CO2). The biogas needs to be collected in order to be flared or used in another process, especially because it cannot be released directly into the atmosphere due to methane gas and its high global warming potential. Nevertheless, when this gas is burnt, an energy vector for micro generation is discarded. In the present work was designed a thermal power plant using the biogas produced in an anaerobic wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) through an implementation methodology that considers the population growth according to a southeast ordinary Brazilian city. The energy production potential, avoided CO2 emissions due to the biogas burnt and the possibility of using this energy to supply the WWTP’s internal demand consumption were analyzed, as well as the project’s economic viability and the arising benefits from carbon credits, calculated in three scenarios. The data of calculus were based on the Brazilian sales tariffs obtained from Brazilian National Electric Energy Agency – ANEEL, where: i) T1 = 64.9 [US$/MWh] (average tariff on Brazilian energy auction A-5); ii) T2 = 86.47 [US$/MWh] (average tariff for thermal power plants in the same auction), and iii) the third scenario, in which the energy produced would be consumed by the WWTP’s internal demand. The economic viability was only achieved in second and third scenarios, being intensified in the scenario that WWTP’s internal demand is supplied using the energy generated in the biogas plant.

Abstract This article presents the main regulatory changes that occurred in the Brazilian power sector in 2009, along with the impacts these changes caused on the market, especially related to small hydropower (

Abstract This article presents the main regulatory changes that occurred in the Brazilian power sector in 2009, along with the impacts these changes caused on the market, especially related to small hydropower (

Abstract Capturing wave power from the ocean is a renewable energy form which complements and diversifies energy grid sources. With its extensive coastline, Brazil has great potential for wave power generation. Economic viability is a key factor for energy generation projects, so the aim of this study is to conduct an economic assessment and Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) involved in implementation of wave energy converter devices to generate electricity in Brazil, given the various uncertainties associated with the parameters involved. To this end, the study was divided into two stages: an energy and economic analysis was carried out to implement wave energy converters in three regions of Brazil with two different converter devices; then, the levelized costs of electricity generation were calculated, given the multiple parameter variations involved, in order to observe the possible oscillations of these costs and the parameters responsible for the greatest impact. The results show that a high capacity factor has the best influence on LCOE values, making the ocean wave energy sales rate comparable with photovoltaic solar energy in Brazil. The study highlights the importance of investment in technology and development for ocean wave energy in order to see greater gains, thus making this type of project generation in Brazil greater possibility.

Abstract Capturing wave power from the ocean is a renewable energy form which complements and diversifies energy grid sources. With its extensive coastline, Brazil has great potential for wave power generation. Economic viability is a key factor for energy generation projects, so the aim of this study is to conduct an economic assessment and Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) involved in implementation of wave energy converter devices to generate electricity in Brazil, given the various uncertainties associated with the parameters involved. To this end, the study was divided into two stages: an energy and economic analysis was carried out to implement wave energy converters in three regions of Brazil with two different converter devices; then, the levelized costs of electricity generation were calculated, given the multiple parameter variations involved, in order to observe the possible oscillations of these costs and the parameters responsible for the greatest impact. The results show that a high capacity factor has the best influence on LCOE values, making the ocean wave energy sales rate comparable with photovoltaic solar energy in Brazil. The study highlights the importance of investment in technology and development for ocean wave energy in order to see greater gains, thus making this type of project generation in Brazil greater possibility.