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Biofuels Revolutionize the Transportation Sector! Renewable Energy, Biodiesel, Ethanol and Sustainable Diesel Shape the Green Future
In recent years, the biofuels went through a significant expansion. From the decade 1970, when the oil crisis boosted research into alternative fuels, the sector evolved considerably.
Also, in 2003, Brazil launched the National Program for the Production and Use of Biodiesel (PNPB), which encouraged the adoption of this fuel in the country. Later, in 2010, mandatory blending of biodiesel with fossil diesel was fixed at 5%, progressively increasing until reaching 12% in 2023.
At the same time, the global growth in the search for biodiesel, ethanol, renewable diesel and biogas accelerated this energy revolution. As pointed out by International Energy Agency (IEA) em 2021, the forecast is that, by 2028, global demand for biofuels will grow by at least 30%.
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In this scenario, Brazil consolidated its position as one of the largest producers in the world.
Demand for Biofuels Grows in the Transportation Sector
Without a doubt, the transport sector has undergone a major transformation since the anos 2000. In 2007, Brazil became the second largest ethanol producer in the world, behind only the United States.
That same year, the government implemented the program RenovaBio, which officially came into force on 2020 and began to further encourage the production of renewable energy.
At the same time, the production of biogas and biomethane also gained strength. In 2014, was created to Brazilian Association of Biogas and Biomethane (Abiogás) to regulate and promote the expansion of this fuel in the country.
According to National Petroleum Agency (ANP), until 2023, the daily production of biomethane in Brazil surpassed 656 thousand cubic meters.
Furthermore, the corn ethanol began to gain relevance in Brazil in 2017, when the first specialized plants went into operation in Mato Grosso. As a consequence of this advancement, even 2023, this fuel already represented 20% of national production, an impressive growth. After all, in 2013, your participation was less than 0,1%.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF): The Revolution in Green Flying
In the aviation sector, the need to reduce emissions has intensified over the decades.
For this reason, in 2009, International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) set goals for halve net aviation emissions by 2050. As a result, investments in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) grew rapidly.
Also, in 2021, Boeing announced that all of its commercial aircraft would be capable of operating on 100% SAF by 2030. In the same year, the Airbus realized the first flight tests using pure SAF.
In parallel, the Petrobras and root began to invest in the production of this fuel in Brazil, aiming to meet the growing international demand.
Currently, the aviation decarbonization follow as global priority. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), SAF to account for 65% of aviation sector emissions reductions by 2050.
Biogas and Biomethane: The Impact on Heavy Vehicles and Industry
Similarly, the evolution of biogas and biomethane also occurred in an accelerated manner.
For example, in 2015, Brazil inaugurated its first commercial biomethane plant in Rio de Janeiro. Since then, production has grown significantly.
Also, in 2019, the federal government launched the Zero Methane Program, encouraging private investment in this sector.
Currently, companies like Green Gas, Urca Energy e Cocal Renewable Energy lead the national production of biogas. According to data from Brazilian Biogas AssociationOn 2022, the production had a 25% increase over the previous year.
In the cargo transportation sector, large fleets already adopt biomethane. In 2023, IVECO launched the first truck powered exclusively by biogas in Brazil, consolidating the advancement of this technology for heavy vehicles.
Brazil: A Protagonist in the Expansion of the Biofuels Market
Without a doubt, Brazil has always been in the vanguard of biofuels.
Since the launch of the Proálcool in 1975, the country has constantly invested in this sector. Furthermore, in 2019, International Energy Agency recognized Brazil as world leader in biofuels, because your sustainable energy matrix.
In recent years, the sector has received significant investments.
For example, in 2022, root announced a investment of R$ 10 billion in the production of second-generation ethanol. In the same year, the Petrobras Biofuels partnership with BP Bunge Bioenergy to expand biodiesel production.
Furthermore, European Union and the United States have established new environmental guidelines, making the Brazilian biofuel even more competitive in the foreign market.
As a consequence of these advances, in 2023, Brazil exported more than 1 billion liters of ethanol to the USA, reinforcing its prominent position.
With increasingly stringent decarbonization targets, the trend is that Brazil continue expanding your global presence.
Finally, the growth of the industry represents a great economic and environmental opportunity.
As new technologies arise and investments increase, the sustainable fuels consolidate their space as a indispensable alternative for a cleaner energy future.
