Biogas has great potential as a fuel. This is indicated by the recent penalty of Brazil’s Future Fuel Law, a law that aims to encourage the production and consumption of biofuels, and aims to reduce carbon emissions and promote the transition to clean and renewable energy. According to Renata Esfer, CEO of Abiogas, biogas and biomethane play a key role in this scenario from renewable sources with the immediate potential to generate about 200 thousand new jobs and attract investments worth R$ 30 billion.
Today, biogas and biomethane production in Brazil has grown significantly, but although production has grown by about 800% in recent years, it still does not exceed 1.5% of the country’s total potential. The annual biogas production is about 1.3 billion cubic metres. Biomethane produces about 330 thousand cubic meters per day. One obstacle to further growth is the regulatory and infrastructural issues that must be overcome for the sector to reach its full potential. Currently, Brazil has 936 biogas plants, of which 885 are in operation (95%), 38 are under construction (4%), and 13 are under maintenance (1%)1. These plants produce about 2.8 billion cubic meters of biogas annually.
Reality in the world
According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) (2021), global electricity generation capacity using biogas in 2000 was 2455 MW. Over the past two decades, there has been an expansion in the number of biogas plants to generate electricity, with installed capacity reaching 20,150 MW in 2020. Seven countries (Germany, USA, UK, Italy, China, France and Brazil) have 73.8% of electricity production plants using biogas. In the world. According to data presented at the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) (2021), Brazil’s installed capacity is equivalent to 2.1% of global capacity.
A more recent analysis by the International Energy Agency (IEA), conducted in March this year, shows the growth prospects for global biogas and biomethane until 2040. The study, done in collaboration with Abiogás (Brazilian Biogas Association), cites: Great availability of sustainable raw materials. The study was based on 2018, when biogas production was 35 million tons equivalent, well below the potential calculated by the International Energy Agency of 570 million tons equivalent of biogas and 730 million tons equivalent of biomethane. According to the analysis, full use of this potential could provide 20% of the current global demand for gas. Among the inputs used are agricultural waste, animal waste, urban solid waste, wastewater and forest waste.
Bioenergy Channel-Journal
