"Energies and the fate of planet Earth" series: biomass!
In an interview, Marco Bravo discussed the importance of biomass energy in Brazil as part of a broader series on sustainable energy sources. He explained that Brazil has the potential to become a global leader in biomass energy production, particularly from sugarcane byproducts like bagasse. Biomass, derived from plant materials, serves as a renewable energy source and can be converted into energy through combustion. Brazil produces both ethanol from sugarcane juice and additional ethanol from bagasse, which can also be used to generate energy. Bravo highlighted the economic advantages of converting bagasse into bioplastics, noting that while burning a ton of bagasse costs $20, producing bioplastics from it can range from $1,000 to $4,000, reflecting a growing market. He emphasized that biomass energy plays a significant role in Brazil's energy matrix, contributing around 9% of the country's energy. Despite being surpassed by China and India, Brazil has a storied history with ethanol, dating back to the 1970s, and now possesses advanced technology in sustainable energy production. The conversation also touched on climate change, with Bravo stressing the urgent need for carbon reduction strategies to mitigate extreme heat events, which are increasingly prevalent due to both seasonal changes and human-induced climate factors. He advocated for cleaner technologies and sustainable fuel sources, such as ethanol, wind, solar energy, and green hydrogen, as essential steps toward addressing the challenges posed by climate change.