Life cycle assessment of Brazilian sugarcane products: GHG emissions and energy use
Abstract
Sugarcane is currently the main renewable energy source in Brazil. Due to the importance of the cane industry and its contribution to a wide range of biobased energy and other products, LCA studies regarding cane‐derived products are needed to assess their environmental benefits. The main objective of this work was the assessment of life cycle energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions related to cane sugar and ethanol, considering bagasse and electricity surpluses as coproducts. We performed an overall balance for the Brazilian Center‐South Region, adopting different methods to evaluate sugar and ethanol production separately. The GREET 1.8c.0 model was used for the ‘well‐to‐wheels’ calculations but adapted to the comprehensive set of Brazilian parameters that best represent the Center‐South Region. For the reference case, fossil energy use and GHG emissions related to sugar production were evaluated as 721 kJ/kg and 234 g CO2eq/kg, respectively. For the ethanol life cycle, these values were 80 kJ/MJ and 21.3 g CO2eq/MJ. Special attention was paid to the variation of some parameters among producing units based on data collected by industry. The consequent uncertainties in ethanol life cycle emissions were assessed through a Monte Carlo analysis based on assigned distribution of probability curves for eleven selected parameters and informed by partial statistical data available from industry for distribution generation. Projections were also made for 2020 scenario paramete…
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We estimate slightly lower reductions for sugarcane ethanol than did Seabra et al (2011) and Macedo et al (2008).
“We estimate slightly lower reductions for sugarcane ethanol than did Seabra et al (2011) and Macedo et al (2008).”
From Well-to-wheels energy use and greenhouse gas emissions of ethanol from corn, sugarcane and cellulosic biomass for US use (2012) · cites this paper as Seabra et al (2011)
In the case of sugarcane ethanol, reported life-cycle GHG emissions are between 77% and 82% less than those of baseline gasoline.
“In the case of sugarcane ethanol, Seabra et al (2011) and Macedo et al (2008) reported life-cycle GHG emissions that were between 77% and 82% less than those of baseline gasoline.”
From Well-to-wheels energy use and greenhouse gas emissions of ethanol from corn, sugarcane and cellulosic biomass for US use (2012) · cites this paper as Seabra et al 2011
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References 12 · Cited by 286
- Authors
- Seabra, J. E. A., Macedo, I. C., Chum, H. L., Faroni, C. E., & Sarto, C. A.
- Affiliations
- Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP) (BR)
- National Laboratory of the Rockies (US)
- Sugarcane Research Center (Brazil) (BR)
- Corresponding author
- Seabra, Joaquim E. A.
- Venue
- Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2011-05-23
- Volume
- 5
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 519-532
- ISSN
- 1932-1031 (ISSN-L)
- 1932-104X
- OpenAlex
- W2087427112
- Cited by
- 286
- References
- 12
- Citations by year
- 2026: 14 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 21 · 2021: 19 · 2020: 21 · 2019: 24 · 2018: 15 · 2017: 22 · 2016: 23 · 2015: 17 · 2014: 29 · 2013: 24 · 2012: 15
- FWCI
- 19.56
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Biofuels Bioproducts and Biorefining (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Engineering › Environmental Impact and Sustainability
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Biofuel production and bioconversion
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Agronomy and Crop Science › Bioenergy crop production and management
- Keywords
- sugarcane, sugarcane ethanol, life cycle energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, sugarcane bagasse, GREET model, Monte Carlo uncertainty analysis
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