The utilization of wind energy in the Brazilian electric sector's expansion

The Brazilian electric sector's supply crisis established in 2001 urges for short, medium and long term solutions. In this scenario, renewable energy sources, specially wind energy, gain distinction as a feasible alternative of seasonal stability in energy supply by means of complementation between natural wind regimes and hydro utilization, the basis of Brazilian's electric origin, as well as the utilization of the vast renewable natural resources potential existent in the country. An alternative renewable sources utilization program can include distinct technologies such as: biomass; solar energy; wind energy and small hydroelectric stations among others. Amongst the alternative technologies presented, the present article focuses on evaluating the opportunities of wind resources utilization, taking into consideration the Brazilian experience in wind utilization; the national potential; the legal boundary in formation and the barriers and opportunities presented to the development of this technology. The choice of wind energy is explained by its large worldwide growth at a competitive price and due to it being completely feasible in a large part of Brazil's territory from the perspective of the existence of a vast and reliable wind potential for immediate utilization.Wind energy Brazilian wind potential Legal boundary Opportunities

Generation of electric energy in isolated rural communities in the Amazon Region a proposal for the autonomy and sustainability of the local populations

The Brazilian Amazon Region is living with the consequences of governance based on predatory extraction of its natural resources, bringing little or no benefit to the local population. The region suffers from socioeconomic inequality and lack of basic infrastructure. The populations of the Amazon Region, if and when supplied with electricity at all, are provided with a low quality service based on energy generation from fossil fuels, subject to difficulties in terms of access and logistics, and negative environmental impacts. There have been programs aimed at the universalization of electricity services, such as the current Programa Luz para Todos (Light for All Program), but they have not succeeded in altering this scenario in the North region of the country. In this paper we present the result of these initiatives and an overview of the Isolated Systems in the Amazon Region. We propose in this paper that the provision of electric energy be effectively considered part of a plan for generating wealth and employment for the region's inhabitants, whilst preserving the environment. The solutions offered to each community should take into account the need to manage renewable energy sources, should be developed together with local populations, and drawing on the lessons learned from other projects. The specific characteristics and needs of the communities should be taken into account and local people should be empowered as citizens by means of their involvement in the development possibilities.Renewable energy sources Power generation Brazilian Amazon

Rural electrification and energy poverty: Empirical evidences from Brazil

The aim of this article is to evaluate the impact of rural electrification on the reduction of energy poverty in Brazil through the analysis of 23,000 rural domiciles or rural properties between the years 2000 and 2004. The results indicate a fast change in the profile of energy consumption and a reduction of energy poverty. This new approach works as a complement, among other variables, to analyze and quantify the real economic, social and energy impacts in rural electrification programs, generally applied in developing countries.Rural electrification Energy poverty Electric reform sector Public policy Brazil

The paradigm of sustainability in the Brazilian energy sector

The concept of sustainability can be a way to understand the dynamics of reality and to consider not only the economic growth but also the social, environmental and cultural aspects of development. This new paradigm questions the role of nature as an instrument only to satisfy the human needs and brings into consideration the rational use of natural resources through responsible environmental policies keeping in mind the needs of the future generations. The economic growth, considered as the notion of progress, brings intrinsically not only the extensive nature exploitation but also the intensification of the energy use. Energy sources become, then, a strategic variable for the economic development. The Brazilian energy policy is an appropriate case study for the paradigm of sustainability overview as it is characterized by isolated initiatives and programs, which culminated into a huge crisis. So, this paper aims to discuss the concepts of sustainability and ethics through the analysis of the Brazilian energy policy and its social and environmental implications.Energy Sustainability Brazilian energy sector

The challenge of energy poverty: Brazilian case study

In recent years successive Brazilian governments have actively pursued economic and social policies aimed at reducing poverty and promoting social equality and inclusion. In the field of energy, this has meant introducing and implementing programs aimed at expanding the supply of safe and reliable energy to the poorest sectors of Brazilian society, including those living in remote rural areas. This paper draws attention on the findings of extensive field research to evaluate the impact of rural electrification on energy poverty in the context of government policies aimed at promoting energy equity. The authors re-examine the concept of an energy poverty line, seeking to fine tune its application to Brazilian social and economic realities, and then apply an analytical framework (Lorenz Curve, Gap Poverty, Gap Quadratic, Gini Coefficient and Sen Index) to evaluate the effectiveness of recent efforts in Brazil to expand access to electricity. One of the main conclusions of this study is that is that rural electrification leads to a significant reduction of the energy poverty level and a consequent improvement in energy equity.Rural electrification Energy poverty Brazil

Insertion of Photovoltaic Solar Systems in Technological Education Institutions in Brazil: Teacher Perceptions Concerning Contributions towards Sustainable Development

Teaching spaces are seen as institutions presenting relevant power to promote sustainability. Thus, in addition to knowledge (re)producers, they must also assume ethical obligations to incorporate daily sustainability-oriented actions. In this context, this study evaluates faculty perceptions regarding contributions to the teaching–learning process and the diffusion of a pedagogical practice adhering to sustainability assumptions, arising from the insertion of photovoltaic solar systems in educational institutions. A study was conducted at the Rio Grande do Norte Federal Institute of Education Science and Technology, with 2.2 photovoltaic MWp distributed throughout its 21 campuses. This study investigated teacher knowledge and attitudes towards renewable energy sources in their school practice, as a way of understanding these issues and presenting propositions that will strengthen their role in daily school life. Teachers are aware of the importance of these sources, but their knowledge does not form links with their practice. Thus, the necessary connections to promote sustainability from the existence of institutional photovoltaic systems were proven insufficient. They did not support the concept, nor the adoption of pedagogical practices linked to this technology. In addition, teacher inability to bring knowledge related to renewable energies to the classroom and link them to daily student lives was also noted. The adoption of renewable energy to promote a sustainability culture demands the formation of teacher knowledge and attitudes, and this training must follow a continuous path

Evaluation of the impact of access to electricity: A comparative analysis of South Africa, China, India and Brazil

Most developing countries include rural electrification programs in their efforts to improve social conditions. There are, however, several obstacles to the evaluation of such programs and therefore of their social, economic, environmental and energy impacts on the target population, particularly on impoverished communities located in remote areas. Evaluation of the efficacy of public policies aimed at rural electrification in South Africa, China, India and Brazil enables such actions to be quantified and re-considered so as to bolster the sustainability of their planning and implementation and also so as to enable comprehension of the significance of access to electricity in relation to other aspects of the drive to improve living standards. The provision of electric energy amounts to more than access to a public service and should be considered an essential right, in a context of social equity and justice, which permits social integration and the access to other equally essential services.Rural electrification Impacts South Africa China India Brazil

Creating the Path for Sustainability: Inserting Solar PV in São Francisco Transposition Project

Semiarid regions are characterized by prolonged droughts and drought regimes. In Brazil, 57% of the northeast region is considered semiarid, with an average annual rainfall of less than 800 mm. This climatic condition imposes the need to conduct public policies and develop infrastructure in order to mitigate drought effects. In this context, the São Francisco River transposition project is an alternative to problems concerning city water supplying and aiming at decreasing socio-economic impacts resulting from water restrictions in this region. On the one hand, the river transposition has the potential to establish a new development cycle in Northeastern Brazil, while, on the other, electricity demands, estimated at 2533 GWh/year from 320 MW of installed capacity, require technological alternatives that ensure the project’s financial sustainability. In this context, this study presents proposals for arrangements concerning electric energy production through photovoltaic systems as an alternative supply for the transposition project. To this end, a study of the region’s photovoltaic solar potential was carried out. Based on the performed assessment, three production arrangement proposals that consider the use of (i) the lateral area and (ii) the transposition channel and (iii) part of the area of some reservoirs belonging to the transposition of São Francisco river. The study point out that the use of this potential for all three studied arrangements is favorable to supply, individually or in a combined form, the electrical energy demanded by the pumping stations installed

Economic and Social Impacts of the Oil Industry on the Brazilian Onshore

Oil wealth can foster social inequality if not properly managed. This is due to the migration of production factors from different economic activities to the oil sector. As a result, unemployment, poverty, political instability, a reduction in development, among other undesirable effects on society, may arise. With that in mind, this research evaluates the government’s role in the socioeconomic development of the oil producing municipalities in Rio Grande do Norte State (RN), the largest onshore producer in Brazil. The research uses panel regression as it allows broad analyses of the space and time dimensions to be performed. In addition, it relies on statistical testing at all stages to make the research analysis more appropriate and consistent. The proposed model revealed better socioeconomic development indicators in municipalities where the local Government made public savings as reserve funds. Furthermore, the results show that appropriate public savings management allows municipal governments to design public policies to provide future generations with socioeconomic benefits, in line with the purpose of royalties

Sustainable Groundwater Exploitation Aiming at the Reduction of Water Vulnerability in the Brazilian Semi-Arid Region

Semi-arid regions have historically suffered from low water availability. In addition, the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events credited to global climate change has made it increasingly clear that among the challenges faced by society water resource management is extremely necessary. In this context, desalination based on renewable energy resources integrated with production systems that make use of the waste resulting from this process becomes a socio-environmentally indicated alternative to expand existing supply strategies and sustainable water use in isolated locations, and/or areas distant from large urban centers, thus addressing local potential and reducing environmental impacts. This study assesses the use of Photovoltaic Solar Power Plants (PSPPs), as well as of residues generated in a Brackish Water Reverse Osmosis System (BWRO), in productive units linked to fish and family farming. This is as an alternative way to reduce water vulnerability in the Brazilian semi-arid area (BS), adhering to climate change adaptation measures in the light of Brazilian public policies through the Freshwater Program (Programa Água Doce—PAD), which aims to promote access to good quality water to approximately 500 thousand people in the Brazilian semi-arid region