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Integrating Biofuels into the Jamaica Sugar

IndustryThe need for policy coherence.

Maureen Wilson, Ph. D.Laboratory Manager

Sugar Industry Research Institute

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Background History of making rum and using bagasse to

produce steam and electricity Highly skilled workforce, many unskilled

labourers Favourable trading agreements with the USA

and the EU Partnership agreements with countries like

Brazil Jamaica has revised National Energy Policy and

has put in necessary legislation to support biofuels

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Biofuels

Ethanol from sugar cane Bagasse and fuelwood for cogeneration Biogas from agro-processing waste Biodiesel from castor oil Charcoal pellets from bagasse Cellulosic ethanol

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JAST 2008

Benefits of using sugarcane“There seems to be a consensus that

among the major crops usable as a feedstock for ethanol, sugarcane is arguably the best, thanks to low production costs, a high net energy gain and a healthy CO2 balance.”

H. Ahlfeld, 2007. Intl. Sugar and Sweetener Report, vol 139 # 33 p 577

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Biofuel yields of selected feedstocks

World Watch Institute, 2006

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Greenhouse gas savings of different biofuels compared to their fossil fuel comparator

Type of biofuel GHG savings (%)

Biodiesel from: PALM OIL 53 %

RAPESEED OIL51 %

SOY 29 %

Ethanol from: SUGARCANE

89 %

WHEAT 49 %

BEET 40 %

Source: EC Renewable Energy Roadmap, 2006 JAST 2008

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France (beet)

Brazil (cane)

USA (corn)

JAST 2008

Sustainable biofuels industry Sustainable use of land and water Integrating biomass production within

existing farming systems Using efficient conversion technologies with

process integration – sugar, ethanol, cogeneration, biodiesel, biogas

Stringent waste management - fertigation, biogas, growing algae for oil production

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JAST 2008

Regulations and Standardisation

Legislation – mandating local production and use of biofuels, emission control, land use, trade, incentives

Standardization, certification, compliance, enforcement and accountability

Auditing tools, life cycle assessment for calculating greenhouse gas savings

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JAST 2008

OpportunitiesThis will involve increased:

use of available cane lands and marginal lands

production and productivity of fields incomes of rural farmers trade with the US, the EU etc production of biodiesel food production and food security

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More opportunities

Decrease dependence on imported oil Decrease greenhouse gas emission

hence mitigate against climate change Increase local manufacturing of

commercial equipment Produce cellulosic ethanol when

commercially viable

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JAST 2008

Challenges Island – limited land and water Lack of communication strategies to

engage civil society Human capacity needs development Lack of sufficient capital to retool and

improve infrastructure Existing policies – nationally,

internationally12

SPRI 2008 13

Policy Coherence

Coherence between policies of different Ministries and Government Departments affecting the production of biofuels

Coherence between national policies and those of trading partners – EU, USA etc to ensure that there are no barriers to export trade

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Conclusion

Jamaica ought to integrate biofuels into the sugar industry and build competitiveness -produce fuel grade ethanol, biogas, biodiesel and use bagasse supplemented with fast growing trees for cogeneration and in so doing will be able to achieve energy security, export excess biofuels, reduce greenhouse gas emissions mitigating against climate change

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JAST 2008

Recommendations Legislation mandating local production and use

of biofuels National strategies should maximise benefits to

farmers and other investors Jamaica must increase investment in ST&I by

building human resource capacity and physical infrastructure

Best practices and methodologies should be adapted and implemented

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