The significant contribution of sugarcane for positive ethanol environmental and economic aspects can be further improved with energy cane. Unlike conventional sugarcane (Saccharum spp.), optimized for sucrose content, energy cane is a cane variety optimized for biomass production, with significative more fibers in its composition. In addition, since sucrose content is no longer the only priority, energy cane could be harvested during the off-season of conventional sugarcane. Other challenges such as harvesting operation during the rain-season can be solved by innovative technologies (currently under development).
In this study economic and environmental aspects of introducing energy cane as feedstock were evaluated for both first and second generation ethanol production in dedicated energy cane biorefineries and also as an alternative feedstock for harvesting season extension in conventional sugarcane biorefinery.
Results show that energy cane is a suitable feedstock not only for extending harvesting season in a first generation biorefinery that uses conventional cane (during season) but also as the main feedstock in an integrated energy cane first and second generation biorefinery. High agricultural yields and fiber content of energy cane are the main factors contributing for these positive economic and environmental impacts.
Acknowledgment
The authors thank to FAPESP (process numbers 2010/17139-3 and 2011/51902-9) for the financial support.