Brazil energy firm to create ‘world’s first’ carbon-negative ethanol
FS, one of Brazil’s largest ethanol producers, aims to become the world’s largest negative carbon footprint ethanol producer. Their Lucas do Rio Verde facility will use BECCS technology to prevent 423,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually, potentially expanding to 1.8 million tonnes. The four-year project, with a R$350m investment, awaits Senate approval under the Fuel of the Future program. Completion is expected by 2025, creating 230 jobs.
One of Brazil’s largest ethanol producers could become the world’s largest ethanol producer with a negative carbon footprint and the first to develop bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) in the production of ethanol outside the US.
Energy company FS has recently completed tests showing that the geological conditions are suitable for injecting CO2 into the ground. This CO2 is emitted during the biofuel production process, specifically during fermentation.
The technology used in this process will prevent the release of around 423,000 tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere per year originating from the company’s Lucas do Rio Verde facility located in the state of Mato Grosso.
According to FS, the solution could be used in other industrial units of the company, potentially removing more than 1.8 million tonnes of CO2 per year.
The four-year long project saw FS drill a 2,000 metre deep well last year to examine rock formations in the area below its facility.
The results showed the Diamantino rock formation has the porosity and permeability conditions to receive CO2 to be injected at a depth of more than 800 metres.
“The technical study’s result is an essential milestone to encourage the next steps necessary to unlock investments in BECCS technology by the ethanol sector,” said Rafael Abud, CEO at FS.
“In addition to utilisation in automobiles, ethanol produced with the technology can be used to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and marine fuel, making Brazilian ethanol increasingly one of the largest contributors to the world’s energy transition.”
Currently, only two ethanol producers in the world use BECCS technology, both in the US. However, the Mato Grosso industry will be the first carbon-negative facility, using second-crop corn as raw material and renewable biomass from planted forests as an energy source.
Once the Senate approves regulations under the Fuel of the Future programme, FS plans to invest R$350m in equipment to capture, dehydrate, compress and inject CO2 underground.
Having recently received financial backing from public agency FINEP, the project could start this year and finish by the end of 2025, creating about 230 direct jobs.
Source link : https://www.gasworld.com/story/brazil-energy-firm-to-create-worlds-first-carbon-negative-ethanol/2139377.article/
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