Tag Archives: brazil
Biofuel Development Key To Meet California’s GHG Emission Reduction Goal
11 Jun 2013 Biofuel development could be the answer for California to meet its 2050 greenhouse gas emission reduction goal, according to a new report that focuses on the state’s biofuel potential. The report titled “California Energy Future: The Potential for Biofuels,” done by the California Council on Science and Technology, co-authored by Heather Youngs and Chris Somerville, concluded that developing the potential for next-generation biofuels can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, specifically, replacing the use of gasoline with cellulosic ethanol and biodieasel. However, replacing gasoline with conventional cellulosic ethanol and biodiesel can only reduce California’s emissions by as much as 53 percent of the 80 percent GHG emissions reduction goal. In order for the state to meet its target, the report suggested developing other alternatives to fossil fuel such as low-carbon lignoecellulosic ethanol or biomass derived from hydrocarbons and a reduction in the overall demand for fuel. The authors of the report cautioned that even with optimistic efficiency, electrification, the use of other renewable energy sources, the use of extensive amounts of low-carbon biofuels is still needed. That is why when it comes to the issue of using vast amounts of biomass to power the state; the authors explained that “sustainable resource management” and “judicious use of feedstocks” is needed to fully maximize the resource. Currently, California is targeting 75 percent of its biofuels from its state resources. According to Ms. Youngs, reaching the 75 percent goal can be met by importing biomass from countries like Brazil, of which will then be used to supply the state’s biorefineries, however, this would prove very costly. The target of reducing GHG emissions by 80 percent from 1990 levels by 2050 comes from the State Executive Order S-03-05 that was signed by then governor Arnold Schwarzenegger back in 2005. With such a timeframe, Ms. Youngs believes that technologies can be deployed to produce low carbon biofuels by then, but this deployment of technologies will still have to depend on factors such as biomass supply and economic considerations. In another report also done by the California Council on Science and Technology, titled “California’s Energy Future – The View to 2050,” it was found that i to make a mark on the 2050 GHG emissions goal would require different strategies. The strategies in the report were stringent efficiency measures; avoiding the use of fossil fuel through electrification; doubling the use of electricity produced from renewable energy and other sources as well as storing carbon dioxide emissions underground; and getting enough supply of low-carbon fuel. – EcoSeed Staff Continue reading
French Albioma Will Invest 400 Million Euros In Cane Biomass In Brazil
By Geert De Clercq and Benjamin Mallet PARIS, Juno 6 (Reuters) – The French Albioma plans to invest 400 million euros (528 million dollars) in power plants to produce electricity from waste sugar cane in Brazil and is negotiating partnerships with several producers cane. The Albioma, who has decades of experience in power generation from bagasse in the French territories, can produce three to five times more energy from bagasse sugar mills, said Chief Executive Officer Petry Jackets Reuters. The French company, formerly called SECHILIENNE-Sidec, burns about 1.3 million tons of sugarcane bagasse in the islands of Reunion and Mauritius Indian Ocean and the island van de Guadalupe, where the bagasse is an important part of the energy matrix. Albioma plans to invest 400 million euros over the next decade in Brazil and is negotiating with several sugar mills about buying your plants. Petry said it takes a long time to negotiate long-term contracts with farmers and sugar mills, but that funding is available through the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES). The company also plans to invest 400 million euros in biomass projects in the French territories, including a project of 170 million euros in Martinique bagasse and 200 million euro in biogas plants in France, where it has 22 ongoing projects to produce electricity from manure and other agricultural waste. Continue reading
Trends In The Renewable Energy Landscape
June 6, 2013 By Gil Forer Gil Forer Global Leader, Global Cleantech Center, Ernst & Young A new era is dawning in the renewable energy industry. Energy demand, natural resource, technology costs, access to finance and global competitiveness are identified as the key influences for investors. According to the tenth anniversary edition of the Renewable Energy Country Attractiveness Index (RECAI), which was recently released by Ernst & Young, global annual clean energy investment totaled US$269b in 2012, representing a five-fold increase on 2004. The sector now competes for investment with more traditional energy sources, and new technologies — such as solar panels, biomass boilers and mini wind turbines — are enabling energy users to run their own small power plants, changing the way businesses and consumers think about energy. The renewable energy landscape today is truly global. From Japan and Southeast Asia to Africa and South America, renewable energy is a viable energy source that is gaining a solid and growing share in the energy mix. But, the renewables industry is facing growing pains. Not only is the future a place with less government support, but industry players also have to fight for market share across all corners of the globe and with some worrying signs of trade barriers emerging. For an industry that is still relatively new, this is a seriously challenging time; leaders need to be conversant in international business, conscious of global politics, and clever in innovating new business models and business relationships to win in an increasingly global competitive world. South America and Asia Pac continue to rise as Europe and the Middle East stall Our index sees the US regain the top spot, as high barriers to entry for external investors realign China into second place. However, growth prospects for the sector in China remain strong with continued GDP growth, increasing energy demand, and the ongoing strategic importance of the sector to the local economy providing solid foundations for the future. South America continues to grow in prominence, thanks in part to its growing energy demand. Chile’s project pipeline includes 300MW-400MW concentrated solar power (CSP) plants, while Peru has entered the index for the first time due to good resources and a strong investment climate. However, new policy measures and tender cancelations in Brazil are likely to temper the rapid growth seen in the region over the last 18 months. High levels of project activity and investment interest in Japan and Australia give the Asia Pacific region a stronger presence at the top of the index. Thailand also joins the index in this issue, boasting strong solar resource and a healthy project pipeline, as well as stable fiscal and regulatory support measures. In Europe, Romania became the latest to slash its subsidies, reinforcing the relatively somber mood in Eastern Europe as policy makers try to find the balance between growth and sustainability. A number of the Middle East and North Africa countries, including Egypt, Tunisia and the UAE, have fallen out of the top 40 due to a slow recovery from the Arab Spring and an absence of clear policy frameworks delaying capacity deployment. Transaction market – the continuing squeeze Recent deal activity in the sector has been characterized by incumbents and new entrants driving industry consolidation. There is also a strong appetite from Far East construction groups and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) seeking development pipelines of solar and wind assets to provide a distribution channel for their products. Factors driving the levels of investment in renewable energy include divestment needs, market restructuring and the entry of new investors into the sector. Utilities and financial buyers are finding greater value in buying operational plants than investing in plant construction. The mismatch between project sponsors’ capital expenditure plans and the corporate capacity to finance this investment will continue to drive more asset disposals. Both financial investors and OEMs under pressure from overcapacity are likely to remain the most active buyers of operational assets and development assets respectively. Further consolidation can be expected in the supply chain. New markets are gaining momentum. Countries and corporations are increasing their focus on changing their energy mix to ensure it provides financial, reputational, operational and social benefits. We’re also seeing the development and implementation of national renewable energy program best practices. In summary, with the shift in the democratization of the energy sector and the increasing power of the customer, the future of renewable energy in the energy mix is bright. For more information about the report, including a discussion of our evolved methodology, please visit www.ey.com/recai . Gil Forer is global leader of the Global Cleantech Center for Ernst & Young. Continue reading
