Produção e uso do biogás: um estudo na região metropolitana de São Paulo

Abstract

Modern discussions about the structure of cities fall back on finding solutions to large-scale challenges, while seeking to identify development opportunities. Among these difficulties, the adequacy of energy matrices and efficient waste management is a topic of timely relevance, since there are alternatives to combine the reuse of waste, in this case, organic waste, with energy production, generating biogas . In this context, this study sought to identify the main barriers to the production and use of biogas in the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo (RMSP), as well as solutions to overcome them. At first, a systematic literature review was carried out aiming to identify the main barriers identified by authors in the national and international context, in the Scielo, Scopus and Web of Science databases in the period from 2011 to 2021. Data analysis of the systematic literature review identified three continents – Africa, Asia and Europe, in addition to standardizing the types of barriers, divided between economic, technical, social and political aspects. Subsequently, interviews were carried out with specialists on the subject, in order to point out the barriers to the production and use of biogas in the RMSP and the solutions to overcome the difficulties observed. The results of the interviews were discussed with the topics covered in the theoretical framework obtained from the systematic review of the literature. The invited experts pointed out the large production of biogas in the RMSP in landfills and sewage treatment plants. In this sense, obstacles associated with the logistics of production, distribution and use were presented. Technical, economic, social and political barriers were considered, and similarities with all continents covered in the systematic literature review were observed, highlighting the complexity of factors that affect biogas production in the RMSP, enhanced by the fact that these bottlenecks influence each other, directly or indirectly. In this context, it is worth noting that the lack of a plan for the insertion of biogas in the São Paulo and Brazilian matrix in general was considered as the aspect that most hinders the increase in the production and use of biogas in the RMSP. The proposed solutions were essentially aimed at government actions, given that the production and use rates of biogas in the RMSP are subject to public policies. Limitations of this study were aimed at the superficiality of the identified barriers and solutions. Finally, for future work, case studies were suggested that seek to present the dimension of the barriers listed, as well as possibilities for applying the solutions.