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Biofuel in the Automotive Sector: Viability of Sugarcane Ethanol

Author

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  • Julio Cesar Marques

    (Laboratory of Energy Efficiency and Industrial Processes, Federal University of ABC, São Bernardo do campo 09606-045, Brazil)

  • Fernando Gasi

    (Laboratory of Energy Efficiency and Industrial Processes, Federal University of ABC, São Bernardo do campo 09606-045, Brazil)

  • Sergio Ricardo Lourenço

    (Laboratory of Energy Efficiency and Industrial Processes, Federal University of ABC, São Bernardo do campo 09606-045, Brazil)

Abstract

In Brazil, sugarcane ethanol competes directly with gasoline as a fuel for motor vehicles, emerging as a challenging biofuel to traditional fossil fuels. The problem this article solves and presents is the Return on Energy Investment (EROI) for the production cycle of first-generation ethanol derived from sugarcane in the central-southern region of Brazil, with the main objective to compare this EROI with the gasoline marketed in Brazil, as documented in the scientific literature. The methodology for the energy analysis of the ethanol production cycle is the ratio between the energy present in a quantity of sugarcane delivered for processing and the energy consumption required for the entire process. This analysis occurs from the agricultural phase through the distribution phase of ethanol for consumption, enabling the calculation of the EROI of sugarcane ethanol and a comparative assessment with the EROI values of the gasoline marketed in Brazil. The results for EROI of sugarcane ethanol fluctuate between 8.20 and 6.52. Therefore, for each unit of energy utilized in processing ethanol, 6.52 to 8.20 units of energy are available for end use. In contrast, the EROI values for gasoline range between 2.34 and 5.50, underscoring the competitive advantage of ethanol in this context.

Suggested Citation

  • Julio Cesar Marques & Fernando Gasi & Sergio Ricardo Lourenço, 2024. "Biofuel in the Automotive Sector: Viability of Sugarcane Ethanol," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-24, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:7:p:2674-:d:1363107
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Fabre, Adrien, 2019. "Evolution of EROIs of electricity until 2050: Estimation and implications on prices," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 164(C), pages 1-1.
    2. Pereira, L.G. & Cavalett, O. & Bonomi, A. & Zhang, Y. & Warner, E. & Chum, H.L., 2019. "Comparison of biofuel life-cycle GHG emissions assessment tools: The case studies of ethanol produced from sugarcane, corn, and wheat," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 110(C), pages 1-12.
    3. Capaz, Rafael Silva & Carvalho, Vanessa Silveira Barreto & Nogueira, Luiz Augusto Horta, 2013. "Impact of mechanization and previous burning reduction on GHG emissions of sugarcane harvesting operations in Brazil," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 220-228.
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    Keywords

    sugarcane; ethanol; bioenergy; EROI;
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