Determining regions for installing flex-biomass sugar-ethanol plants: a multicriteria approach for location

Abstract The development of sugarcane varieties has allowed Brazilian ethanol plants to operate longer during the harvest, however, in off-season they remain idle due absence biomass. To increase energy safety and guarantee supply critical periods, it been proposed adapt flex-biomass model, allowing production biofuel from corn as well. Considering costs building or adapting a plant, strategically defining location is essential for optimizing production. aim this study verify whether combination criteria can identify most suitable regions construction new map them. method consists Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP) with GIS techniques. We found two large continuous flex plants, corresponding together 11% area. However, these regions, only 0.33% territory more than 90% suitability. Therefore, we confirmed existence concluded that mapping areas enhances resources application, avoiding installation inappropriate areas.