Sugarcane: A versatile energy source

Biomass is shown to be viable given the same, economic environment as other energy sources. Sugarcane is shown to be the most economic and versatile biomass feedstock at present. The Brazilian national program has proved that gasoline may be substituted and biomass offers a viable alternative to fossil fuel if rationalization of production, distribution and pricing is implemented. A major step towards feasibility of the sugarcane alternative would be the commercialization of bagasse, preferably as a fuel for generating surplus chemical energy. The efficient use of sugarcane as an energy feedstock offers the possibility of very considerable reductions in (net) greenhouse gas emissions as compared to petroleum derivative fuels