| Resumo : |
This thesis focuses on the crucial issue of unaccounted and unmanaged environmental impacts and dependencies in the electric power generation sector. The work aims to contribute to the discussion of electricity price revision by internalizing/incorporating the values of externalities and ecosystem dependencies in this sector. The study is justified by the urgency of considering not only the direct costs of electricity generation but also the environmental and social impacts associated with these plants in a global scenario of climate change and increasing environmental awareness. With that said, the main objective of this work was to establish a comprehensive methodological route to identify, assess, and monitor the value of multiple ecosystem services in the electricity sector, related to them through externalities, both negative and positive, and dependencies. This methodological route specifically focuses on hydroelectric and thermoelectric power plants, which represent 77% of the electric matrix in Brazil. To achieve this goal, the work was developed in two stages. The first stage consisted of proposing and applying a methodology for the economic valuation of environmental impacts and dependencies of hydroelectric and thermoelectric power plants. This methodology begins with identifying the relationships of power plants with the environment through ecosystem services and the relationship with the central Ecosystem Services & Relationships (ES&R). Subsequently, methodologies for economic valuation are proposed using environmental economic methods. These methodologies consider the valuation of ES&R in different operational scenarios of the plants, taking into account aspects such as climate and regulatory changes. Two case studies exemplified the application of this methodology: the Luis Eduardo Magalhães Hydroelectric Plant (HPP) and the Porto Pecém Thermoelectric Plant (TPP). Finally, the joint valuation of all ES&R associated with each case study is performed for three different scenarios: the status quo, the maximization of environmental and social interests, and a pessimistic environmental scenario. In the case of the HPP, which is recognized as one of the best hydroelectric plants in Brazil, the internalization of externalities and dependencies would result in a 7% increase in electricity prices. In the scenario of maximizing environmental and social interests, this increase would be approximately 3% compared to the current tariff, while in a pessimistic scenario regarding climate change, this increase would reach 11%. As for the TPP, the internalization of externalities would have a substantial impact on electricity prices. In the status quo scenario, the increase would be about 49%, rising to approximately 13% in a scenario of maximizing environmental interests and an impressive 258% in a climate change scenario. A comprehensive comparison between HPP and TPP highlights that thermoelectric plants face significantly higher environmental costs, and that hydroelectric plants are more resilient to climate change. The practical implications of this internalization of ecosystem services are discussed, emphasizing the need to promote cleaner energy sources, especially in a global context of climate change and environmental crises. Support for internalization includes the suggestion of continuous valuation and monitoring tools for ecosystem services to facilitate the incorporation of these values, applying the polluter-pays principle. Thus, the second stage of the work involved the development of an interactive decision support tool, the Quantitative Environmental Valuation Tool (FVAQ). The FVAQ is an interactive digital tool developed to assist in the assessment of externalities and dependencies of ecosystem services related to the operation of power plants. This tool allows for continuous monitoring and quantification of externalities and dependencies based on different operational scenarios entered into the model. It was developed and tested with case studies, providing information that enables the reduction of negative externalities, the increase of positive externalities, and the monitoring of environmental dependencies. The FVAQ can play a crucial role in transforming punctual assessments of ecosystem services into continuous and dynamic evaluations, being specific to each study site and bridging the gap between academic research and practical decision-making in the energy sector. It is a tool that can be adopted by companies, power plant managers, environmental researchers, legislators, NGOs, and local communities. The results of this study highlight the complexity of environmental impacts and dependencies associated with power plants. The research underscores the importance of incorporating externalities and dependencies relationships into the calculation of electricity prices, recognizing both the environmental costs and benefits associated with these plants. The findings emphasize that the internalization of environmental costs can lead to substantial increases in electricity prices, depending on the scenarios considered. In summary, this work provided a robust methodology for assessing and monitoring ecosystem services in the electricity sector in Brazil, contributing to a more comprehensive and sustainable approach to decision-making in the energy sector. These findings are particularly relevant in a global context of concerns about climate change and the need to promote cleaner and environmentally conscious energy sources. |