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Antagonistic bioenergies: Technological divergence of the ethanol industry in Brazil

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  • Compeán, Roberto Guerrero
  • Polenske, Karen R.

Abstract

We present evidence for the coexistence of two antagonistic sugarcane ethanol production technologies in Brazil, with the Southeast region of the country having relatively mechanized production processes, and the Northeast area using labor-intensive ones. We highlight the main differences between the hand-production and fully automated mechanical manufacturing in the Brazilian ethanol industry and examine the historical, political, and economic factors that induced this regional technology gap that is currently observed. We then construct an environmental model based on a 375-industry interregional input–output system for the Brazilian regions, in order to determine the extent to which the primitive ethanol production of Northern Brazil differs from the automated manufacture technologies of the South in terms of greenhouse gas emissions. We show that ethanol produced with modern technologies generates lower carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions than ethanol produced with traditional production processes. We also demonstrate that ethanol, regardless of the technology with which it was produced, is more carbon-efficient than petrochemical products.

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  • Compeán, Roberto Guerrero & Polenske, Karen R., 2011. "Antagonistic bioenergies: Technological divergence of the ethanol industry in Brazil," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 39(11), pages 6951-6961.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:39:y:2011:i:11:p:6951-6961
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2010.11.017
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    Cited by:

    1. Gandhi, Oktoviano & Oshiro, Andre H. & Medeiros Costa, Hirdan Katarina de & Santos, Edmilson M., 2017. "Energy intensity trend explained for Sao Paulo state," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 1046-1054.
    2. Goetz, Ariane & Searchinger, Tim & Beringer, Tim & German, Laura & McKay, Ben & Oliveira, Gustavo de L.T. & Hunsberger, Carol, 2018. "Reply to commentary on the special issue Scaling up biofuels? A critical look at expectations, performance and governance," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 658-665.
    3. Silva, Haroldo José Torres da & Marques, Pedro Valentim, 2021. "Heterogeneity in the productivity of sugar-energy mills in Brazil," International Food and Agribusiness Management Review, International Food and Agribusiness Management Association, vol. 24(3), February.
    4. Raele, Ricardo & Boaventura, João Mauricio Gama & Fischmann, Adalberto Américo & Sarturi, Greici, 2014. "Scenarios for the second generation ethanol in Brazil," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 87(C), pages 205-223.
    5. de Carvalho, Ariovaldo Lopes & Antunes, Carlos Henggeler & Freire, Fausto, 2016. "Economic-energy-environment analysis of prospective sugarcane bioethanol production in Brazil," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 181(C), pages 514-526.
    6. Brinkman, Marnix L.J. & da Cunha, Marcelo P. & Heijnen, Sanne & Wicke, Birka & Guilhoto, Joaquim J.M. & Walter, Arnaldo & Faaij, André P.C. & van der Hilst, Floor, 2018. "Interregional assessment of socio-economic effects of sugarcane ethanol production in Brazil," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 88(C), pages 347-362.

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