Bagasse is the fibrous biomass residue that is left after sugarcane is crushed. It is comparable to seedcake from Jatropha or olives. One tonne of cane produces about 250 kg of bagasse, which accumulates quickly. Large dunes of bagasse are a typical feature of Brazilian cane processing mills.

A system of conveyor belts transfers the bagasse from its storage area to boilers, which produce vapor. The vapor powers turbines that generate clean and renew­able electricity (“bioelectricity”).

All Brazilian mills are self-sufficient in energy, producing more than enough electricity to cover their own needs. A growing number of mills are generating a surplus, which is sold to distribution companies and helps to light up numerous cities throughout Brazil.

In the near future, bagasse is also seen as an ideal raw material to produce second — generation (“cellulosic”) biofuels.

In early 2010, about 2000 average MW, or 3% of Brazil’s electricity require­ments, were being supplied by sugarcane-based bioelectricity. That total could reach 13 000 average MW by 2021 if all potential sources are fully developed. That would be enough to cover the needs of entire countries like Sweden or Argentina (www. sugarcane. org).

13.9 Fuel Consumption

The Brazilian sugar energy industry employs more than 1 million people. The rapid advance of mechanized harvesting also heightens the demand for qualified workers and less people employed in manual harvesting. Full mechanization is expected by 2017.

13.8