Potencial energético do biogás e gases de efeito estufa no setor agropecuário industrial brasileiro

Abstract

Energy consumption has been increasing in a globalized world due to the growth of urban populations and the use of new technologies, leading to increased effects of global warming. Therefore, aiming to reduce environmental impacts, the use of renewable energy sources has received greater investment. Biogas has gained prominence in recent years due to the possibility of its generation from organic waste through the anaerobic digestion process. However, it is still underexplored compared to its potential due to the lack of incentives, public policies, and adequate technology. As a result of this scenario, the present study aimed to evaluate the greenhouse gas generation and energy potential of biogas in Brazil from the waste of the industrial agricultural chain in the swine, dairy cattle, and slaughterhouse sectors. Data surveys of agricultural production in Brazil were conducted to determine the potential generation of biogas from volatile solids, the potential for electricity generation, and the reduction of greenhouse gases using biodigesters. The results indicate a potential increase in the participation of biogas in the Brazilian energy matrix by about 4 times since currently, only 1.4% of renewable electricity is derived from biogas. Brazil has the potential to generate 17,095.66 GWh annually from the production of biogas in the studied industrial agricultural chain, as well as avoid the generation of 86.5 million tons of CO2 equivalent per year with the burning of biogas in biodigester systems, which corresponds to approximately 554.5 million reforestation trees. Thus, the insertion of the use of biodigesters as a form of treatment for organic waste from swine, dairy cattle, and slaughterhouses is of significant importance to increase the use of renewable energy sources and the reliability of the Brazilian energy sector.