ALM UNDP

Selected Project Results  

• The project conducted analysis to show that sugarcane trash couple be recovered in suitable quantities, quality and cost for use as a supplemental fuel to bagasse for power generation. This was the first study to provide reliable results on which confident investment decisions could be made, and has already inspired some mill managers to begin using trash for energy production. (Four mills are already using trash (105,000 tons per year) in their conventional boilers as a direct result of the project, and three others are evaluating ways to recover trash on a large-scale basis.)
• Research also showed that biomass-gasifier/gas turbine (BIG/GT) technology, with trash supplementing bagasse, could increase the production of electricity by a sugarcane mill by 500%. Electricity production could be increased from 50 to 60 kWh/ton cane processed (with conventional high pressure steam turbine technology firing only bagasse) to 250 to 300 kWh/ton of cane processed with a BIG/GT system using both bagasse and trash.
• Project analysis suggested that ten 30MW generating units would have to be built before energy production costs fell to levels acceptable to the Brazilian market.
• Considering that existing laws and regulations are forcing the phase out of cane burning and the Brazil’s sugar cane crops amounts to around 315 million tons/year it is estimated the use of BIG/GT technology with sugar cane residues as fuel has the potential to achieve reductions in CO2 emissions in the range of 26 to 40 million tons of CO2 equiv./year, depending on the degree of technology penetration assumed. . If the world’s 1 billion-ton sugar cane industry converted its bagasse and field waste into power, use of nearly 250 million tons of oil could be avoided every year.
• The Companhia Paulista de Forca e Luz (CPFL), one of Brazil’s largest private electricity generating companies, has indicated its interest in taking a leading role in phase three of the project which will build a demonstration BIG/GT plant operating on sugarcane residues at a mill in southeast Brazil.
• Since there are some potential benefits to leaving trash on harvested sugarcane fields such as weed control, wind and rain erosion protection, increased soil infiltration of water/reduced soil surface evaporation of water, reduced soil temperatures, and increased soil biological activity, costs and benefits analysis was undertaken and a series of guidelines for trash removal formulated. These guidelines are now being used by some sugarcane owners who have begun collecting trash to use as fuel in existing combustion systems.
• Although co-funding was originally only expected to come from Brazil’s Copersucar, (one of the largest sugar and alcohol producers in the world) other international donors became interested in the project and contributed funding – EU ($575,000) and Sweden’s NUTEK ($340,000)

 Legal Outcomes

• The project’s study of the agricultural and environmental impacts of sugarcane trash recovery has provided information of value to on-going discussions on cane burning regulations
• A Brazilian law passed in 2003, says that after 2006 10% of all new power capacity installed in the country must use renewable energy. Although this cannot be directly attributed to the project it will certainly benefit the project’s future and potential for replication.

Communications

• The project produced and distributed eight newsletters and also made many presentations in international conferences and congresses. As a result there is now a widespread awareness of the potential of sugarcane trash and BIG/GT technology among government agencies, private sector industry, universities and NGOs in Brazil and in sugarcane industries worldwide.
• The project was presented at the 24th ISSCT (International Society of Sugar Cane Technologists) Congress in Australia. As a result Brazil became recognized as a world leader in BIG/GT technology.
• Information and idea exchanges have taken place with similar projects such as the WBP-Brazilian Woodchips Project, a Australian gasification project and with several research projects in different Universities in Brazil and abroad.

• Renewable energy sources provided to 200,000 homes in rural areas of Bolivia
• Saving of nearly 21,000 million tones of CO2 over a 25-year period
• Improved quality of life through economic and social development

Output 1

1.1 Increased awareness of communities on climate change risks and food security related risks

1.2 Secured ownership of adaptation measures in communities in targeted cantons

1.3 Increased knowledge to manage climate change and risk, including climate variability affecting food security

Output 2

2.1 Increased adaptive capacity and ecosystem resilience in targeted rural communities

2.2 Increased capacity at communities and institutional level to manage climate change risk in targeted cantons

Source: Project Proposal, 2011

This project proposes the development of RCCS from CO2 emitted from sugar fermentation in a demonstration plant at a sugar/ethanol mill in Sao Paulo state. During fermentation, gaseous is released in 100% concentration and free of other gases (Nitrogen, CO) and impurities (e.g. sulphur, hydrocarbons, and acids) for underground storage. Thus, this project aims to store already clean CO2 emissions from sugar fermentation underground in available saline formations (see figure below showing storage prospectivity in the region of Sao Paulo).

1. Knowing vulnerabilities: Assessment of vulnerability and
adaptation conditions to climate variability in Cusco and Apurimac regions, developed with the participation of authorities,institutions and affected population.

2. Monitor and inform
Regional information system for climate change adaptation
in Cusco and Apurimac regions.

3. Act
Adaptation measures implemented, in agreement with local and
regional stakeholders.

4. Learn and to engage in political dialogue
Public policies at local, regional and national levels.
International negotiation processes contain proposals generated by PACC´s actions.

Outcome 1: Urban Transport Plan for Santiago implemented.
Outcome 2: Modal share of public transport maintained.
Outcome 3: Land-use policies in place to favor the reduction of the average trip length.
Outcome 4: Barriers for introducing clean technologies for transport removed/incentives introduced.
Outcome 5: NMT trips increased.
Outcome 6: Growth in cars-km reduced.
Outcome 7: Air quality indicators improved in spite of economic growth.
Outcome 8: Reduced carbon intensity per travelled km.
Outcome 9: Evidence of behavioral change towards a rational transport demand.