Brazil is the world’s fifth largest country in the world. With a population of 184 million people, it is also the world’s fifth most populous country.
The Brazilian economy is large by almost any standard. Brazil has the largest economy in the world based on Gross Domestic Product (GDP) derived from purchasing power parity (PPP) calculations.
Brazil has abundant agriculture, mineral, and energy potential as well as one of the world’s largest exporters.
Broad industrial base and infrastructure as well as a diversified economy.
Brazil is one of the most advanced and forward-thinking green countries in the world with an in-place alternative fuel infrastructure.
BRAZIL
Renewable energy in Brazil accounted for more than 85.4% of the domestically-produced energy used in Brazil, according to preliminary data from the 2009 National Energy Balance, conducted by the Energy Research Corporation (EPE). Brazil generates and utilizes multiple forms of renewable energy including ethanol, biomass, hydroelectric, wind, and solar. Brazil began focusing on developing alternative sources of energy in the 1970’s, beginning with ethanol. Today, Brazil depends on hydroelectricity for more than 3/4 of its electricity, but authorities are pushing biomass and wind as primary alternatives.
ALTERNATIVE FUELS IN BRAZIL
Brazil's ethanol program started in 1975, when the country's military rulers launched an effort to free themselves from foreign oil. Ethanol made from sugar cane was an obvious candidate, given Brazil's almost endless amount of arable land and favorable climate. Most car makers in Brazil sell flexible-fuel cars, trucks, and minivans that can use gasoline and ethanol blends ranging from pure gasoline up to 100% ethanol (E100). Today, over half of all cars in the country are of the flex-fuel variety, meaning that they can run on 100 percent ethanol or an ethanol-gasoline mixture; however, large heavy duty trucks continue to run on pure diesel. The importance of ethanol, or other alternative fuels, in Brazil's domestic transportation market makes it an especially viable candidate for the implementation of a new strategy in powering heavy trucks.
BIOMASS IN BRAZIL
Biomass is a clean energy source used in Brazil. It reduces environmental pollution as it uses organic garbage, agricultural remains, wood shaving or vegetal oil. This energy represents 27% of Brazil's energy matrix. The recent interest in converting biomass to electricity comes not only from its potential as a low-cost, indigenous supply of power, but for its potential environmental and developmental benefits. For example, biomass may be a globally important mitigation option to reduce the rate of CO2 buildup by sequestering carbon and by displacing fossil fuels.
“Brazilian efforts to promote green energy practices are admirable and serve as a model for the world.” - Ron Sims, US Deputy Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
