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Clean energy is a quality distinguishing characteristic
Some companies are in the forefront and invest in sustainability, thinking about the future
The prospects are not particularly bright when the subject is the future of the energy sector around the world. In order for energy not to become rare and expensive for consumers, specialists estimated in a report presented to the federal government at the end of October that investments of some US$ 18 billion per year will be necessary as of 2012.
However, going against the tide of opinion are some companies that have best practices and sustainability as their mottos. One successful example of this is Veracel Celulose, which has been self sufficient in energy production since it started up industrial operations in 2005, and even generates a surplus, which is sold on the outside market.
The mill produces all of the energy necessary for its operations, the equivalent to the demand of a city of 400,000 inhabitants. The fuel used for the turbogenerator consists of residues from the pulp manufacturing process, such as black liquor (which results from the wood cooking process) and wood biomass (residues of bark and wood chips declassified for use in the production process). These measures lower the cost of the production of power and also generate surpluses that can be sold, making the mill environmentally effective and economically feasible.
Among the best
According to Ari Medeiros, manager of Recovery and Utilities at Veracel, despite the fact that other companies make use of these processes, none of them have obtained the utilization levels reached by Veracel.
"We produce 95% of the energy that results from the burning of black liquor, and only 5% that comes from biomass. In other companies, usage reaches a maximum of 80%." Veracel uses 60% of the energy it produces and sells the other 40%.
Overall, the mill generates 120 megawatts-hour, without depending on any external factors. In a country where 95% of the power that is generated depends on water resources and climate specifications (periods of drought, for example), not being hostage to the weather is a great competitive advantage.
"Economic growth is going to cause energy to become more and more scarce in the market. If the government's policy remains the same, demand will increase but will not be satisfied. Between 2008 and 2010, the situation is expected to become complicated. Thus, by investing in energy from the beginning, Veracel has become one of the most competitive companies in the market. Proof of this is the prospect of producing more than 1,040,000 tons of pulp in 2007, about 15% over the company's nominal capacity," said Medeiros.
Forecast
Scientists from a number of different countries made the alarming prognosis regarding energy consumption in the report, which was produced at the request of the InterAcademy Council, an organization that is made up of the top scientific academies in world.
Through the study, coordinated by Brazilian physicist José Goldemberg, besides the prognosis alternatives were suggested for producing energy in more sustainable fashion. The document was disclosed by the Minister of Science and Technology, Sérgio Rezende, in the form of an alert.
The concern about maintaining natural resources has been a constant preoccupation in the scenarios developed by the largest industrial companies in the world. All have established targets to let them become environmentally correct companies. And, in this case, speed is not the enemy of perfection - because delaying implementation of these practices for years and years makes the issue increasingly urgent.