Programa do proalcool e o etanol no Brasil

Abstract

The alcohol of sugar cane, produced by Brazil has shown great potential to contribute to alleviate the energy crisis in which we dip and it is direct effect of pollution caused by fossil fuels, which turned the great villains for the survival of humanity. As well as the increasing demand for fuels from renewable sources. The National Program of Alcohol (Proalcool) was not the fi rst Brazilian experience in producing alcohol for use in vehicles, however, the stabilisation of the price of a barrel of oil and the problems faced by plants as lack of management and the withdrawal of subsidies led a large number of them to break, stopping thus this program. It is clear however, that the production of alcohol and sugar was not completely stopped because many plants remained providing alcohol for vehicles that still used this fuel. Now, with the need for immediate reduction of emission of greenhouse gases, produced on a large scale by fossil fuels, biofuels emerge as a solution and so the brazilian alcohol back to the scene. The alcohol produced in Brazil contains 370% more energy than spend for their achievement. A high cost benefi t compared to the alcohol produced from corn, the USA, which produces energy in only 10% more than spent (BARROS, 2007). Biofuels led by biodiesel and alcohol become an important step for change in the global energy matrix.