EXPLORING SPENT COFFEE GROUNDS ENERGY POTENTIAL IN THE BRAZILIAN SCENARIO

ABSTRACT Coffee stands out worldwide for being widely traded and consumed. However, this consumption generates a large amount of spent coffee grounds (SCGs) that are typically arbitrarily discarded. This biomass has a high heating value and molecular composition that allows for it to be a raw material for generating heat and energy. The search for renewable energy sources should consider the potential of SCGs. Thus, the objective of this study was to estimate the energy potential of SCGs in Brazil. The methodology consisted of searching for data to represent the generation of SCGs in the country and estimate its energy potential. It was found that the amount of SCGs available for power generation through direct combustion was approximately one thousand tons, and the power generation potential was 6.83 TWh/year in Brazil. This energy is sufficient to meet, for example, the total annual demand for public lighting in the country's Southeast. These results are the first steps towards evaluating the potential use of SCGs as an energy source and its environmental benefits. Additionally, this study explored limitations and barriers, providing valuable information for developing routes for using this energy residue and incentives for public policies.

摘要 咖啡是全球贸易量与消费量均居前列的饮品。然而，咖啡消费过程会产生大量废咖啡渣（Spent Coffee Grounds，SCGs），这类废弃物通常被随意丢弃。该生物质具备较高的热值与适宜的分子组成，可作为产热与发电的原料。可再生能源的开发研究应将SCGs的应用潜力纳入考量范畴。据此，本研究以评估巴西境内SCGs的能源潜力为目标。本研究通过搜集能够反映该国SCGs产生量的相关数据，对其能源潜力进行估算。经测算，巴西可通过直接燃烧用于发电的SCGs总量约为1000吨，年发电潜力达6.83太瓦时（Terawatt-hour，TWh）。该能源总量足以满足该国东南部地区全年的公共照明总需求。本研究结果为评估SCGs作为能源的应用潜力及其环境效益迈出了关键第一步。此外，本研究还探讨了当前面临的局限与障碍，为该能源残余物的利用路径开发以及公共政策激励措施的制定提供了极具价值的参考依据。