LCA application: The case of the sugar cane bagasse electricity generation in Brazil

Abstract

This paper aims to quantify the main environmental impact potentials of the sugar cane bagasse energy generation in Brazil. To do so, it was employed the Life Cycle Assessment technique based on primary and secondary data from three previous studies that encompass electricity generation, transmission and distribution. The major impact potentials identified that should be the decision makers' focus are the photochemical ozone, human toxicity via soil and nutrient enrichment ones. These impact potentials are caused mainly by the current sugar cane harvesting techniques, namely the straw burning and the chemicals application prior harvesting.