GERIPA A NEW CONCEPT FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY AND FOOD PRODUCTION WITH ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL CONCERNS


OMETTO, A.R.1; RAMOS, P.2; LOMBARDI, G.3
Embrapa Satellite Monitoring, Brazil1
Instituto Politecnico de Hanava, Cuba2
USP Escola de Engenharia de Sao Carlos, NETF, Brazil3

Abstract

This article introduces a proposal concerning a new social and ecological agro-industry structure. This framework was planned to produce energy and food in a sustainable way, it is called GERIPA Project. It was developed with the purpose of integrating production of alcohol, food and electricity, with a working period of twelve months; eight with sugar cane and four with sorghum. The transport of materials runs on engines with vaporized alcohol. It considers thermodynamics optimization, with social and environmental quality, based on the Kyoto Protocol and the premises of Sustained Development. It occupies 4310 ha, integrating the whole productive process like a live organism. With 40.000 liters of alcohol produced daily, as well as 5.2 MW of electricity, 4760 tons per year of food. Once under economically stable operation, it can generate up to 5600 permanent jobs. With these characteristics, the project could provide the basic needs of a city of 17300 inhabitants, becoming a strategic setting for autonomous regional development.

In Ortega, E. & Ulgiati, S. (editors): Proceedings of IV Biennial International Workshop “Advances in Energy Studies”. Unicamp, Campinas, SP, Brazil. June 16-19, 2004. Pages 323-328