Following on from the initial success of the world's first application of sugarcane-based ethanol in a gas turbine system, American energy conglomerate General Electric (GE) has received a contract from Brazil's federally power firm Petrobras, to transform a second unit on the same site, so that it too burns the alternative fuel.
The plant in question serves the entire population of Juiz de Fora – a city located to the north west of Rio de Janiero. Maria da Graca Foster, director of gas and energy for Petrobras, recently explained the development and said that it promised a number of benefits.
"Petrobras and GE formed a successful partnership for the conversion of a first aero-derivative gas turbine at UTE Juiz de Fora (MG) for dual-fuel operation – natural gas or ethanol. It is the first power plant in the world to operate with ethanol to generate electricity. Now, the partnership is repeated for the conversion of the second turbine at UTE Juiz de Fora. This is another Petrobras initiative to diversify sources for power generation, allowing greater flexibility in its power plants," she said.
At present, the Juiz de Fora plant is a simple-cycle natural gas plant, with an overall output of around 87 megawatts. The facility boasts two gas turbines – one with GE-customised combustors enabling the use of ethanol as well as natural gas. This special capability is said to enhance the plant's energy security and boost its reliability, by providing a valuable alternative source, where previously only one type of fuel could be used.
Darryl Wilson, vice-president of GE Power and Water's aero-derivative gas turbines division, said: "GE’s strategic marketing group has recently concluded that electricity demand is expected to double in the next 20 years, while demand for clean water may triple. With this growth, a greater demand for unconventional fuels, especially those that help control atmospheric emissions, is likely."
He added: "To better support this rising need for reduced environmental impact and improved plant economics, we are focused on developing alternative fuel solutions, like the project at Juiz de Fora, which will further augment the portfolio’s existing performance flexibility."
Following on from the initial success, the second gas turbine is now set to be retrofitted with an ethanol burner, allowing it to produce sustainable electricity on a large, commercial scale. As the world's second-largest producer of ethanol – and the biggest exporter of the gas – Brazil stands to benefit greatly from incorporating such an efficient fuel.
Ethanol has the potential to significantly reduce emissions arising from power generation, compared with the use of diesel oil or similar fossil fuels when natural gas is in short supply. So to what extent can the use of biofuels in power generation benefit an emerging nation like Brazil?
Well, sugarcane-based ethanol is thought to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by around six per cent. Specifically, this would represent a 6,500-tonne improvement to Brazil – the equivalent of 1,800 cars being taken off the country's roads.
Further to this, the amount of water used in the combustion process can be trimmed by as much as 20 million litres. Such reductions measure up to approximately the level of daily water consumption in Sao Paulo. In addition, the sugar-based biofuel removes the issue of sulphur dioxide emission completely – and reduces output of nitrous oxide by around three per cent.
There is no doubt that, with such positive outcomes so far, Brazil's apparent future as a world leader in alternative energy has the potential to provide the country with cleaner air and an overall improvement in eco-credentials.
It would be reasonable to assume, however, that the development of hi-tech industry such as this promises a number of other benefits. As a global supplier of energy, GE employs more than 85,000 worldwide – and a growing number of these workers are based in Brazil.
While the Brazilian economy is soaring way ahead of many others around the globe, boosts to employment are always going to be welcome. There also has to be some benefit to come from other countries viewing Brazil as a key player in cutting-edge, environmentally-friendly technology.
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