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Energy: The 1st World and Brazil

Rafael Herzberg's picture
Rafael Herzberg 154,419
Consultant energy affairs Self employed

Rafael Herzberg- is an independent energy consultant, self-employed (since 2018) based in São Paulo, Brazil* Focus on C level, VPs and upper managers associated to energy related info, analysis...

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  • Aug 18, 2021
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Energy: The 1st World and Brazil

The prevailing trend in our milieu is that we, Brazilians, are among the most creative in the world, including in the area of energy.

Of course, this qualification, which has become, a national statement, "fits" very well.
But... is it really so?

Objectively NO! And by far.

Developed countries can do much more with less energy.There is a list of programs that encourage consumers (residential, business and institutional) towards the parsimonious use of energy that result in two super interesting advantages: less consumption per productive activity and the need for less installed capacity in relation to maximum recorded demand.

Here again, our strategy is to increase supply to meet growing demand. We have an installed generation capacity more than double the maximum demand. And it's easy: the cost is transferred to the customers!

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Matt Chester's picture
Matt Chester on Aug 18, 2021

Here again, our strategy is to increase supply to meet growing demand. We have an installed generation capacity more than double the maximum demand. And it's easy: the cost is transferred to the customers!

Do you think that makes decarbonization easier or harder? The fact that it's accepted that more generation is needed means the problem can be tackled in a new way-- and it's easier to build clean generation from the ground up than it is to try and replace existing fossil fuels with clean generation. At the same time, though, rapidly increasing demand is often more easily met with fossil fuels (see: China's growing coal sector). 

Rafael Herzberg's picture
Rafael Herzberg on Aug 18, 2021

Hi Matt!

Here in Brazil the "mess" was established when the decision was made to build run of river hydro power plants - and not with the proper, robust dams - that would allow mitigation of the hydro risk (low volume of annual rains). The result was the need to build a lot of thermal power plants that are dispatched when there is no enough water available (rivers). 

The concept of reducing thermal power plants (coal, natural gas, diesel) is very difficult in Brazil given the above mentioned situation.

The increasing use of solar and wind is stressing the dispatch by the independent system operator because of the duck curve. 

A very challenging situation as decision makers in Brazil (regulator, ministry of energy & president of the country) have their own agenda which does not coincide with the bests interests for the country. Cronyism and sweet heart deals are very important here in Brazil.

Dr. Amal Khashab's picture
Dr. Amal Khashab on Aug 21, 2021

I am very sad about reading the last paragraph , and wondering where is the Parlement Authority?

Rafael Herzberg's picture
Rafael Herzberg on Aug 23, 2021

Hi Amal,

Theoretically the Parlament should 'take action", but Brazil is "invaded" by corruption among most oficial institutions. Very Sad.

Dr. Amal Khashab's picture
Dr. Amal Khashab on Aug 24, 2021

Hi Rafael

Our people in all developing countries deserve better than these ugly trends.

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