Electricity_from_FSC_Wood_Waste_in_the_Amazon

Electricity from FSC Wood Waste in the Amazon

Project facts

Project type: Renewable energy

Project location: Itacoatiara, Brazil

Project Standard: Gold Standard CER

Annual emission reduction: 47.029 t

Project start: November 2012

In the Brazilian Amazonas region, myclimate supports the switch from diesel to climate-​friendly FSC woodchips for the production of electricity.

Offset emissions

Project overview

 

The project

This small-​scale project is the first worldwide that generates emission reduction certificates on the basis of sustainably harvested biomass from FSC- (Forest Stewardship Council) certified forestry. The woodchip power plant with 9 MW of electrical output is located in the sawmill of the Precious Woods company in Itacoatiara, a small town in the Brazilian Amazon.

The project replaces several diesel generators and helps to supply the approximately 80,000 inhabitants of the city with climate-​friendlier power. Thanks to the power plant, the local population benefits from lower energy prices and a more stable energy supply (less failures and transport losses). The plant produces annually up to 45,000 mWh of electricity, for which otherwise around 10-15 million litres of diesel would be consumed. The waste heat generated during this process is used for the wood drying plants.

For the production of the electricity, around 100,000 tonnes of wood are required annually. These are delivered in the form of wood waste and sawdust from the sawmill. All this wood waste comes from sustainable forestry in accordance with FSC guidelines. Prior to start-​up of the plant, this wood waste was rotting in large piles on the property. Through the sustainable use of the waste, a reduction of the greenhouse gas methane was therefore also possible. The total reduction amounts to about 48,000 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents annually.
This project contributes to the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
SDG7
Affordable and clean energy
598 GWh renewable energy produced.
SDG8
Decent work and economic growth
83 jobs created.
SDG12
Responsible consumption and production
1,328,694 tonnes of organic waste processed and avoided from anaerobic decay.
SDG13
Climate action
174 million litres of diesel saved.
SDG15
Life on land
100% of renewable biomass residues is used to generate electricity.
SDG17
Partnerships for the goals
A significant share of the company comes from foreign investors.
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© Sávio Abi-Zaid, myclimate

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Sawmill of Precious Woods. The employees like that the sustainable forest management allows the forest after harvesting to fully recover in a few years.. © Sávio Abi-Zaid, myclimate

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Sawmill (left) and power plant. A conveyor belt brings the wood residuals of the sawmill to the boiler where it generates energy. © Sávio Abi-Zaid, myclimate

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Madalena Mendoça Vasconcelos and Maria de Nazaré Gil Monteir, general helpers. © Sávio Abi-Zaid, myclimate

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César Riso Gomes, field operator, from Silves, Amazonas. He controls the oven of the power plant. © Sávio Abi-Zaid, myclimate

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© Sávio Abi-Zaid, myclimate

Holzabfall | turn_to_zero

© Sávio Abi-Zaid, myclimate