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Volume 5, Issue 1, 2026

Abstract

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The transition towards low-carbon energy systems has been increasingly recognised as a critical global priority for mitigating climate change, reducing dependence on fossil resources, and promoting sustainable socioeconomic development. Although Brazil possesses one of the world’s most renewable energy matrices, supported primarily by hydropower, bioenergy, wind, and solar resources, significant challenges remain in the effective integration of waste-to-energy technologies and circular resource management strategies. In this review, the current status of renewable energy deployment in Brazil is critically assessed alongside the generation, management, and valorisation potential of major waste streams, including agricultural biomass, agro-industrial residues, food-processing wastes, municipal solid waste (MSW), wastewater sludge, construction and demolition waste (CDW), pulp and paper residues, and end-of-life tyres. Existing treatment practices and recovery technologies are systematically examined with emphasis on their capacity to convert waste into value-added products such as solid, liquid, and gaseous biofuels, secondary raw materials, and platform chemicals. Particular attention is given to technological limitations, regional disparities in infrastructure, and policy gaps that have constrained the broader implementation of decentralised renewable energy systems, especially in rural and residential sectors. It is observed that despite substantial progress in renewable electricity generation, waste recycling rates, energy recovery efficiency, and integrated waste management practices remain comparatively underdeveloped. The adoption of advanced thermochemical, biochemical, and material recovery technologies is shown to offer significant opportunities for emissions reduction, resource efficiency, and industrial symbiosis. Furthermore, the role of regulatory frameworks, economic incentives, and public investment in accelerating the transition towards a circular and low-carbon economy is highlighted. The findings demonstrate that the strategic integration of renewable energy expansion with waste valorisation could substantially enhance energy security, environmental performance, and economic resilience in Brazil. The technological pathways, policy mechanisms, and management strategies discussed are also considered transferable to other emerging economies facing similar energy and waste management challenges.

Abstract

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Liquefied natural gas (LNG) has been widely considered a transitional energy carrier owing to its lower combustion-related emissions relative to coal and oil and its compatibility with existing energy infrastructure. In this study, the role of LNG in facilitating the transition towards sustainable and low-carbon energy systems is critically examined from technological, environmental, and supply-chain perspectives. The thermodynamic principles governing phase conversion from natural gas to cryogenic liquid are analysed, and energy penalties associated with liquefaction, storage, regasification, and transportation are systematically evaluated, with particular attention given to boil-off gas (BOG) generation and mitigation strategies. The integration of LNG within evolving energy systems is further assessed, including its capacity to provide dispatchable backup for variable renewable energy sources and to enhance grid reliability during periods of intermittency. A lifecycle-oriented evaluation is conducted to quantify emissions, energy efficiency, and operational losses across production, liquefaction, maritime transport, storage, distribution, and end-use stages. In addition, supply chain management (SCM) considerations, price parity with conventional fuels, and infrastructure adaptability are examined to determine the feasibility of large-scale deployment. Particular emphasis is placed on the heavy-duty transportation sector in India, where LNG is increasingly considered a lower-emission alternative to diesel due to its higher energy density relative to compressed natural gas (CNG) and suitability for long-haul applications. The analysis highlights both opportunities and limitations, including methane slip, upstream fugitive emissions, and capital-intensive liquefaction infrastructure, which may influence the net climate benefit of LNG. The findings indicate that LNG can contribute to short- to medium-term emissions reduction and operational flexibility when deployed alongside renewable energy technologies; however, its long-term sustainability is constrained by its fossil origin and associated lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Consequently, LNG is best interpreted as a bridging solution that may facilitate energy system decarbonisation while renewable generation, storage technologies, and hydrogen-based fuels continue to mature.
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