Wheeling-a feasible solution for co-generation using biomass in Brazil

Presently in Brazil a yearly increase of 3,000 GW in electric power generation is required. The government is passing this responsibility to private companies. This goal will be met through the construction of large plants as well as by small ones (hydro, gas-fired plants or biomass fired). Recent changes in Brazilian legislation have opened the door to cogenerators and independent power producers to supply utilities and or customers. This paper presents the technical and economic solutions in the use the transmission and distribution network of the utilities to connect small thermal plants using biomass as fuel. A special focus is considered in the use of sugar cane bagasse as fuel in S. Paulo State where it is possible to extract 6,000 GW. Implementation strategies under development in Brazil are included, followed by a practical example of a 10 MW project in which all the economic variables will be simulated.