Sugarcane energy use: accounting of feedstock energy considering current agro-industrial trends and their feasibility

The main aim of this paper is to carry out an assessment on sugarcane feedstock availability and its energy use in the sugar mill. The trade-off on sugarcane bagasse energy use (electricity cogeneration vs. bioethanol production), considering the agro-industrial development level, is analyzed in this work, too. The better options in each case are highlighted. The main environmental and techno-economic aspects concerning the sugarcane agro-industry were taken into account during the assessment process. The most promising trends of the sugarcane agro-industry and the barriers to overcome in its implementation are pointed out.