Contribution of the carbon tax, phase-out of thermoelectric power plants, and renewable energy subsidies for the decarbonization of Chile - A CGE model and microsimulations approach.

There are various climate policies to decarbonize the energy matrix of a country. In the case of Chile, a carbon tax of 5 USD/tCO2 was initially implemented, and later, a schedule was established for the phase-out of coal-fired thermoelectric plants, all the above in the absence of subsidies for non-conventional renewable energy (NCRE). This study uses a computable general equilibrium (CGE) model and microsimulations to assess the contribution of current climate policies and other more demanding scenarios that accelerate the decarbonization of the Chilean energy matrix, considering economic, environmental, and distributional impacts. Specifically, carbon taxes are simulated with and without complementary climate policies (phase-out of coal-fired power plants and NCRE subsidies). The results show that the scenarios that combine the three climate policies generate a greater decrease in greenhouse gas emissions (40.4% âˆ¼ 57.5%). Besides, the drop in GDP is more pronounced when coal-fired thermoelectric plants phase out (0.3% additional), and NCRE subsidies contribute to moderately reducing emissions. However, NCRE subsidies reduce the negative effect on households' expenditure and income, especially in the poorest quintile. Finally, microsimulations show marginal changes in income distribution and an increase of up to 0.4 percentage points in the poverty rate.

Estado da arte dos aterros de resíduos sólidos urbanos que aproveitam o biogás para geração de energia elétrica e biometano no Brasil / State of art of landfills that use biogas for the generation of electrical energy and biomethane in Brazil

RESUMO O aproveitamento do biogás gerado a partir da decomposição da matéria orgânica dos resíduos sólidos urbanos (RSU), além de ser uma fonte renovável de energia, também contribui com a redução do lançamento de metano e do dióxido de carbono (CO2) na atmosfera, que são importantes gases de efeito estufa (GEE). No entanto, o biogás é pouco explorado no país e seu potencial continua sendo controverso, principalmente devido às diferentes metodologias de avaliação adotadas. A pesquisa realizada mostra que, entre 2004 e 2015, foram implantadas nos aterros de resíduos do País somente 9 usinas termelétricas, que juntas geram 86,3 MW de energia elétrica, e duas usinas que produzem biometano. Considerando as estimativas existentes, o Brasil explora somente de 7 a 20% do biogás produzido nos aterros de resíduos para fins energéticos.

ABSTRACT The use of biogas generated by the decomposition of organic matter from urban solid waste, besides being a renewable source of energy, also contributes to the reduction of the methane and carbon dioxide's release into the atmosphere, which are significant greenhouse effect gases (GHG). However, biogas is little explored in the country and its potential remains controversial, mainly due to the different adopted methodologies of evaluation. This research shows that, between 2004 and 2015, only nine thermoelectric plants were implanted in waste landfills in the country, which together generated 86.3MW of electricity and two plants that produced biomethane. Considering the existing estimates, Brazil exploits only 7 to 20% of the biogas produced in landfills for energy purposes.

Gestão do trabalho, saúde e segurança dos trabalhadores de termelétricas: um olhar sob o ponto de vista da atividade / Labor management and the health and safety of thermoelectric plant workers: a study from the viewpoint of the activity

O artigo apresenta as mudanças na gestão do trabalho de duas termelétricas privadas, após serem adquiridas por uma Empresa de energia de economia mista, e suas implicações na saúde e segurança de seus trabalhadores. Estas mudanças fizeram com que parte desses trabalhadores questionasse sua própria capacidade laborativa, pois trabalhadores experientes tornaram-se de uma hora para outra inábeis em decorrência do modelo organizacional e das reestruturações implantadas em suas unidades. Constatou-se que a ausência de reconhecimento no trabalho trouxe consequências para a saúde e a segurança destes trabalhadores, pois houve inúmeros relatos de sofrimento psíquico, distúrbios emocionais, problemas osteomusculares, alterações gastrointestinais, etc. Evidenciou-se que atualmente é possível introduzir uma série de medidas que podem contribuir para a melhoria das condições de trabalho e, consequentemente, da vida dessas pessoas. Utilizou-se o referencial teórico da Ergologia, assim como os aportes da Psicodinâmica do Trabalho e da Ergonomia da Atividade. O percurso metodológico envolveu: levantamento bibliográfico sobre o tema, análise documental, entrevistas semiestruturadas, observações sistemáticas da atividade e validação dos resultados com os sujeitos da pesquisa.

This article presents the labor management changes and the implications for occupational health and safety that occurred after two thermoelectric plants were acquired by a government-owned, joint stock with private investors, energy corporation. The changes led part of these workers to question their own professional abilities, as previously experienced workers were suddenly considered unqualified due to the new organizational model and restructuring implemented in their units. It was seen how lack of professional recognition in the workplace led to negative health and safety consequences for workers, as there were numerous cases of psychic anguish, emotional disorders, musculoskeletal problems, gastrointestinal disorders, etc. It was also seen that it is now possible to introduce a series of measures that can contribute to improve working conditions and, consequently, the lives of the workers. The benchmark used was Ergology, as well as aspects of the Psychodynamics of Work and the Ergonomics of the Activity. The methodology included a bibliographical survey of the theme, document analysis, semi-structured interviews, systematic activities observations and the validation of results with the research subjects.