Innovation for the energy transition

GRI 3-3

The Brazilian electricity sector has entered a new moment, which requires a series of disruptive changes, both in the form of generation and in the transmission and distribution of electricity. The challenges related to the Energy Transition, materialized in Decarbonization and Electrification, Decentralization and Digitalization, impose the need for a vision of R&D integrated with innovation and with the bases of Sustainable Development, taking into account the aspect of economic and social development and the preservation of the environment.

This whole process also requires the development of renewable sources, combined with more efficient and sustainable forms of energy generation, presenting itself as a critical factor for the achievement of longterm environmental goals, such as the reduction of Greenhouse Gas emissions and goals established nationally and internationally. In this context, new risks and opportunities need to be observed by companies in the electricity sector and other sectors, with greater demand for scientific knowledge and R&D projects that promote innovation and sustainable development.

Given this scenario, the research projects developed in the Department of Energy Transition and Sustainability (DTS) of Cepel seek to respond to new expectations and bring benefits of alignment with the needs of the market. This is because environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria are increasingly used to evaluate companies and help investors avoid those that may pose a greater financial risk and seek those that have greater profitability and value creation. In addition, other areas of Cepel also have fundamental projects for the Energy Transition, both in the Directorate of Technology - DT, and in the Directorate of Laboratories and Technological Services- DL. An example of this is the Smart Grids Laboratory, located in the Adrianópolis unit.

In the area of solar energy, the Center has signed an agreement with Eletrobras and Enertech, a developer and investor in clean energy supported by the Kuwait government, to establish the deployment of proprietary modular solutions for solar containers and storage in communities in the Amazon region.

The agreement establishes the terms of the donation of a container made to Cepel by EnerTech. The initiative is in line with the “Pact for decarbonization of the electric matrix of isolated systems of the Amazon replacing diesel generation with clean, renewable and affordable energy”, launched in September 2021.

Cepel will act as the technical arm of Eletrobras in the evaluation of existing solutions, such as the Enertech Container System, and also in the evaluation of new solutions that have potential application in the Amazon decarbonization program. In the specific case of the Enertech Container, Cepel will participate in an initial phase, scheduled for two months, to be held at the Smart Grids Laboratory, at the Adrianópolis Unit, for the preparation and evaluation of system parameters necessary for a later phase, also with the technical support of Cepel, to monitor the performance of the system in the field, for about two years.

In the solar energy field, the Center has entered into an agreement with Eletrobras and Enertech, a clean energy developer and investor supported by the Kuwaiti government, to establish the implementation of proprietary modular solutions for solar containers and storage in communities in the Amazon region.

At the end of the experimental phase in the field, the container donated by EnerTech will return to Cepel’s Adrianópolis Unit, where it will be used for research purposes on islanded microgrid or MIGDI – Isolated Microsystem of Generation and Distribution of Electricity.

environmental sustainability

Within the scope of Eletrobras’ Portfolio of Institutional Projects, several projects carried out in 2022 were classified in the Energy Transition category, they are:

  • AAEXP - Strategic Environmental Assessment in Generation Planning, with subprojects of methodological development of Carbon Footprint and Water Footprint studies applied to Hydroelectric Plants (HPPs), Thermoelectric Generating Plants (UTEs), Transmission Lines (LTs) and Wind Farms
  • CHEIAS - Flood Control with Macro Climate Information
  • CRESP-FV - Petrolina Solar Platform Support
  • ELEKTRA - Modeling and Optimization of LTs
  • H2V - Beacon for Technological Domain of Green H2
  • HELIOTHERMIC CHESF - Support in the Heliothermic Plants of the Reference Center in Solar Energy of Petrolina - CRES
  • HELIOTHERMIC FURNAS - Support in the Development of Cylinder-Parabolic Rail Collector
  • IGS - System of Corporate Sustainability Indicators
  • MUDCLIMA - Climate Change in Hydrometeorological Forecasts and establishment of an index of vulnerability to climate change for vulnerable populations in the vicinity of electricity sector enterprises
  • ServSiss - Development of indicators and methodology for evaluation of Ecosystem Services related to the performance of Eletrobras companies
  • EMISFERA - Calculation of Greenhouse Gas emissions
  • SINV-GTRH - Studies of reversible power plants
  • IGS IoT - IGS - System of Corporate Sustainability Indicators with internet use for data acquisition of water and energy variables
  • TECIL e Wind Generation P90, which aim to define a methodology based on standards and previous experiences, significantly reducing the subjectivities of the process and providing relevant information about the uncertainties involved in the calculation of energy production of a wind farm

In the area of hydrogen, the Center’s participation in the elaboration of the Triennial Work Plan of the National Hydrogen Program (PNH2), recently made available by the Ministry of Mines and Energy for public consultation, stands out.

Projects related to climate change

GRI 3-3, 305-1, 305-2, 305-3, 305-4, 305-5, 305-6, 305-7

Faced with issues of global interest, such as clean energy and environmental sustainability, Cepel acts by offering support to Eletrobras companies and the Brazilian electricity sector through the development of research projects aimed at reducing the effects of climate change. In this context, it is essential to mention the following ongoing projects and lines of research:

  • Emisfera - development, maintenance, and support to Eletrobras companies in the accounting of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions for the preparation of emissions inventories and management of the climate strategy;
  • Carbon Pricing - development of studies for adaptation of companies in the Brazilian electricity sector to initiatives to implement carbon pricing instruments in Brazil;
  • Carbon Footprint - development of studies aimed at quantifying GHG emissions in the life cycle of electric power generation and transmission projects, analyzing all stages, from the extraction of materials and raw materials to decommissioning;
  • MudClima - a study conducted to evaluate the main consequences of climate change on power generation and transmission activities in Brazil and to present proposals for adaptation strategies.

The main purpose of the development of CEPEL’s research projects related to climate change is to provide technical support on issues of a scientific nature and to provide specialized technological services that aim to fill gaps in knowledge or capabilities, as well as to advance in the scientific investigation of issues directed to the needs of companies in the Brazilian electricity sector.

The elaboration of policies, commitments, objectives and goals for companies in the sector involves knowledge of the internal emissions scenario (Emisfera), the possibilities of public policies that affect business (Carbon Pricing) and the definition of adaptation strategies (MudClima).

The Emisfera and Carbon Footprint projects are constantly presenting quantitative results of GHG emissions, which are regularly analyzed by a systematics that evaluates the effectiveness of management measures and directs efforts towards the establishment of new goals and strategies related to climate change.

Greenhouse gas emissions (tCO 2 e) *

Scope

2022

2021

Scope 1

Direct emissions1

517.41

492.05

Scope 2

Indirect emissions from energy purchases2

50.00**

631.47

Scope 3

Other indirect emissions3

313.00

239.37

Grand total

880.41

1,362.89

* The calculations of GHG emissions are carried out by the Emisfera platform, developed by CEPEL, which follows the guidelines of the GHG Protocol and the IPCC for accounting for greenhouse gas emissions in companies.

** The reduction of scope 2 emissions occurred because Cepel, in 2022, began to use clean energy, choosing to contract energy from renewable sources, through the Free Energy Market.

1. Gases considered: CO2, CH4, N2O and SF6;

2. Gas considered: Carbon Dioxide;

3. Gases considered: CO2, CH4, N2O