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Replacing Natural Gas with Biomethane from Sewage Treatment: Optimizing the Potential in São Paulo State, Brazil

Author

Listed:
  • Natalia dos Santos Renato

    (Department of Agricultural Engineering, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa 36570900, Brazil
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Augusto Cesar Laviola de Oliveira

    (Department of Agricultural Engineering, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa 36570900, Brazil
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Amanda Martins Teixeira Ervilha

    (Department of Agricultural Engineering, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa 36570900, Brazil)

  • Sarah Falchetto Antoniazzi

    (Department of Agricultural Engineering, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa 36570900, Brazil)

  • Julia Moltó

    (Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Alicante, 03080 Alicante, Spain)

  • Juan Antonio Conesa

    (Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Alicante, 03080 Alicante, Spain)

  • Alisson Carraro Borges

    (Department of Agricultural Engineering, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa 36570900, Brazil)

Abstract

The search for cleaner and more sustainable energy sources is increasingly growing. Aligning this demand with another environmental problem, such as sewage treatment/disposal, is a strategic priority. In light of this, the aim of this study was to estimate the energy potential of sewage generated in the Brazilian state of São Paulo (SP) by using it to produce biomethane. The study also evaluated the viability of using this byproduct of sewage treatment (biomethane) as a substitute for natural gas (NG), as both of them have similar lower heat values. To do this, information was gathered regarding the population, gross domestic product per capita, sewage collected, and natural gas consumption for each of the state’s 645 cities, and, based on this, the sewage energy potential, the amount of NG to be substituted by biomethane, and the reduction in CO 2 emissions were calculated. Moreover, in order to address a possible allocation of biomethane that could potentially be produced in each SP city and sent to currently NG-consuming cities, an optimization algorithm was proposed. The results indicated a sewage energy potential of 4.68 × 10 9 kWh/yr for the entire SP state, which would be enough to supply around 10% of the energy value of all the NG currently consumed. It was also observed that from 130 cities with NG consumption, 10 could produce enough biomethane to fully satisfy the natural gas demand. In the elected scenario of optimization, 291 cities were found to be capable of supplying the demand of 26 cities that currently use NG. The potential to reduce CO 2 emissions is between 1.81 × 10 6 and 2.42 × 10 6 ton/yr, and this range could increase if sewage treatment coverage grows. Despite the challenges inherent in extrapolating a potential study to scenarios that require significative investment, the results obtained are useful for formulating public policies for decarbonization in the near future.

Suggested Citation

  • Natalia dos Santos Renato & Augusto Cesar Laviola de Oliveira & Amanda Martins Teixeira Ervilha & Sarah Falchetto Antoniazzi & Julia Moltó & Juan Antonio Conesa & Alisson Carraro Borges, 2024. "Replacing Natural Gas with Biomethane from Sewage Treatment: Optimizing the Potential in São Paulo State, Brazil," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-11, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:7:p:1657-:d:1367266
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nazari, S. & Shahhoseini, O. & Sohrabi-Kashani, A. & Davari, S. & Paydar, R. & Delavar-Moghadam, Z., 2010. "Experimental determination and analysis of CO2, SO2 and NOx emission factors in Iran’s thermal power plants," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(7), pages 2992-2998.
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