Brazil’s Oncorp plans to test pure biodiesel generation in the Amazon

Oncorp Group plans to carry out tests using pure biodiesel (B100) in a hybrid plant in Amajari, in northern Brazil's Roraima state, a source with knowledge of the matter told BNamericas. 

The aim is to reduce the consumption of diesel in the generation of electricity in the region and, consequently, cut down on greenhouse gas emissions.  

The tests to be carried out involve evaluating the use of B100 in the internal combustion diesel engines that operate as the main source of power in the Amajari plant. 

For performance analysis, parameters such as cold start, gas emissions, sedimentation capacity, fuel analysis, fuel consumption and lubricating oil contamination will be evaluated. Around 30,000l of B100 will be used in the tests.

Oncorp is a Brazilian holding company that operates in thermoelectric generation in isolated systems in the north of the country. 

In the auction for isolated systems held by the government in 2021, Oncorp (Usina Xavantes) won a lot to set up diesel-fired plants in three locations in Roraima: Amajari, Pacaraima and Uiramutã.

Oncorp then implemented Brazil's first hybrid power plants in isolated systems in these locations, combining diesel generation with PV solar and a battery energy storage system. 

The solar plant generates whenever possible, storing the surplus in batteries, and the diesel-fired plant generates during the night or whenever necessary.

The project to use B100 biodiesel, which depends on authorization from oil, gas and biofuels watchdog ANP, is in line with the federal government's program to decarbonize activities in the Amazon region.