A primeira reação nuclear em cadeia autosustentada controlada foi obtida em 2 de dezembro de 1942. Daí em diante, o crescimento da energia nuclear, inicialmente estimulado por fins militares, foi rápido. Ás aplicações civis no setor da geração de eletricidade foram adquirindo, ao longo do tempo, um papel sempre mais importante nas matrizes energéticas de muitos paises. Em 1987, 418 reatores nucleares no mundo estavam produzindo eletricidade em escala comercial. Dois terços destes reatores eram localizados em 7 países: Estados Unidos, União Soviética, França, Reino Unido, Alemanha, Canadá e Japão. Nos anos 90, o setor nuclear experimentou um grande retardo, devido principalmente ao acidente de Chernobyl e a uma revisão otimista das perspectivas de esgotamento das reservas de petróleo e dos outros combustíveis fosseis. Em 2005 o número de reatores para geração de eletricidade em operação no mundo era de 441, não muito diferente do numero de reatores em operação em 1987. Neste panorama o primeiro objetivo deste trabalho é analisar o estado da arte da geração núcleo elétrica e do ciclo do combustível nos países acima mencionados, partindo de uma revisão histórica. O caso do Brasil é abordado também por ser o país onde este trabalho é desenvolvido. Uma vez concluído o quadro da geração núcleo elétrica a nível internacional, são analisadas as novas tecnologias no setor da geração núcleo elétrica e as tendências e as iniciativas para o futuro da utilização da energia nuclear. São também abordadas as principais questões que sempre acompanharam o debate sobre a energia nuclear: a segurança, o meio ambiente, a proliferação e o mais moderno conceito de desenvolvimento sustentável. É importante antecipar que o objetivo deste trabalho não é de julgar os acontecimentos e de influenciar a opinião do leitor a favor da energia nuclear, mas de selecionar materiais e dados para informar e assim fornecendo um texto que seja uma coleção de informações e sugestões de aprofundamentos e não uma fonte de polêmicas. / On December 2, 1942, man first initiated a self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction, and controlled it. Since then, nuclear energy development, firstly estimulated by military goals, was fast. But nuclear energy use for electricity production grew too, until becoming a very important energy source in the world energy mix. In 1987 there were in the world 418 nuclear reactors capable of producing commercially useful supplies of electricity. Over two thirds were in just seven countries: United States, Soviet Union, France, United Kingdom, Germany, Canada and Japan. In the 90s, nuclear energy development slowed down as a consequence of the Chernobyl accident and of the more optimistic evaluations of world oil resources. In 2005 the number of nuclear reactors commercially producing electricity amounted to 441, not much more than the 418 reactors operating in 1987. From this point of view, the primary scope of this work is to analyze the world pattern and the state of the art of nuclear power production focusing on the countries above mentioned. Brazil case is analyzed too, since this work has been developed there. Once this international outlook is concluded, the next step passes through the analyses of new technologies, tendencies and initiatives for the future development of nuclear energy. Since feelings run high in the debate about nuclear energy, some fundamental and fervent points are raised: security, environment, proliferation and sustainable development. Nevertheless, it is important to point out that effort has been made in this work not to take sides, but to be impartial in selecting materials and giving data. The scope is not to convert the reader to a pro-nuclear view but to inform and, in doing so, to provide a volume that is a textbook and not a piece of polemic.

Le but de cette thèse est l'optimisation du contrôle commande d'un système hydraulique réversible à vitesse variable. L'approche est d'abord traitée par simulation dynamique pour finir ensuite par validation expérimentale sur maquette physique temps réel hybride basée sur l'émulation (PHIL). La partie simulation concerne la modélisation des différents éléments de la microcentrale hydraulique tel que la turbine, la génératrice et l'interface d'électronique de puissance ainsi que le développement des lois de commande et la synthèse des différents régulateurs. Deux stratégie de contrôle ont été étudié, la première dite commande en vitesse associé à un algorithme MPPT adaptatif développé au cours de la thèse et la deuxième dite en puissance. Le management des contrôles commandes pour assurer la fonction de secours (backup) de la microcentrale hydraulique a été simulé et validé expérimentalement. Et enfin la transition rapide entre les deux modes de fonctionnement d'une petite station de transfert d'énergie par pompage a été proposé et validé par émulation sur la maquette physique. / The purpose of this thesis is to optimize the control command of a reversible variable speed hydraulic system. The approach is first treated by dynamic simulation and then finish by experimental validation on hybrid physical model based on real-time emulation (PHIL). The simulation part concerns the modeling of different elements such as micro-hydro turbine, generator and the power electronics interface and the development of control laws and synthesis of different regulators. Two control strategies were studied, the first so-called speed control associated with an adaptive MPPT algorithm developed during the thesis and the second strategy is based on power control. Management controls to ensure failover (backup) of the micro-hydro has been simulated and validated experimentally. And finally the rapid transition between the two modes of operation of a small variable speed pumped storage was proposed and validated by emulation on the physical model.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-08T14:59:50Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 2722593 bytes, checksum: 7ccc7962d48ab26b6e9fcd799d120719 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-03-27 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The main goal of this study is the generation of electricity using a modern open top biomass gasifier, (having a water gas cleaning system) imported from India, and a 36 kVA engine-generator. The engine, originally a Diesel MWM D229-4 was converted at the Laboratório de Inovação da UFPB to run just with poor gas from the gasifier. The fact that the imported gasifier had been designed to feed a dual engine to generate at the maximum 20 kWe, caused some difficulty when associated with the converted engine which ran just with gas. Therefore, drastic changes needed to be introduced at the original gasifier because when the engine was running at levels of power greater than 8.4 kWe, a sudden interruption occurred due to flooding of the gas cleaning water. Upon the required modifications, the gasifier was able to produce sufficient poor gas to generate 26 kWe of power. The engine was tested for different ignition advance angles: 22°, 20°, 16° e 9° and for two different types of wood. It was noted that the angle adjustment had a great influence not only over the engine performance itself, but also on the efficiencies of the gasifier and consequently of the system composed by the gasifier and the electrical generator. In this adjustment the ignition advance angle of 9° stood out as one that could guarantee economic advantages and better performance for the system, when the entire experimental range of power is considered. Taking into account that in our experiments an additional of 6 kWe was obtained as compared to the designed value for the Indian system operating with a dual engine, running with diesel and poor gas, we can conclude that the present results and considerations point to the importance of using a biomass gasifier as a successful means of solving the electrical energy dilemma in Brazil. / O principal objetivo deste estudo é a geração de eletricidade usando um sistema formado por um gaseificador de biomassa, moderno, topo aberto (com um sistema de lavagem do gás), importado da Índia, e um grupo gerador de 36 kVA. O motor, originalmente a diesel MWM D229-4 foi convertido no Laboratório de Inovação da UFPB, para funcionar com gás pobre. O gaseificador foi projetado para alimentar um motor do tipo dual, com capacidade máxima de geração de 20 kWe. Foi usado, todavia, para alimentar um motor a diesel convertido para funcionar apenas com gás. Nestas condições não gerava potências superiores a 8,4 kWe, uma vez que ocorria parada brusca do motor, decorrente do seu encharcamento pela água de lavagem do gás. Este fato fez com que drásticas modificações no projeto original, fossem introduzidas. As alterações efetuadas possibilitaram a produção de gás suficiente para gerar 26 kWe. O motor foi testado com diferentes ângulos de ignição, 22°, 20°, 16° e 9°, e o gaseificador com dois diferentes tipos de rejeitos de madeira. Verificou-se que o ajuste do motor tinha grande influência nos desempenhos, do motor, do gaseificador e, consequentemente, no do sistema gaseificador/grupo gerador. Neste ajuste destacou-se o ângulo de ignição de 9° que permitiu maiores vantagens econômicas e melhores condições de funcionamento, quando todo o intervalo de potência ensaiado foi considerado. Levando em conta que a potência elétrica produzida com a biomassa residual foi 6 kW acima da estipulada para o sistema que funcionaria com o motor dual, isto é, com diesel e gás pobre, e tratando-se de um sistema ecologicamente correto, pode-se concluir sobre a importância do uso de gaseificadores de biomassa como sendo uma opção para resolver o dilema da energia elétrica no Brasil.

The Cuban power sector with its heavy dependency on foreign oil is in much need of investment and development. In the past decade, the Cuban government launched an ‘energy revolution,’ the Revolución energética, which aims at generating electricity from renewable sources. As part of this effort, the country looks toward tapping into its biofuels which mainly consist of bagasse from the sugar industry and wood residues from the forest industry. Against this background, the thesis is a case study of how to use the wood residues from two Cuban sawmills in order to generate electricity. The focus is on electricity generation as the mills have no current need for heat. The mills belonging to the state owned company EFI La Palma located in western Cuba are small, with a yearly production of 8400 m3 and 12 500 m3 sawn timber. The wood residues; sawdust, slabs, wood chips and bark, are currently simply dumped in two large deposits near the mills and represent a wasted resource which pollutes the local environment. Three electricity generating alternatives are initially investigated in the literature review: a steam cycle, gasification connected to an internal combustion engine and a Stirling engine using heat from biomass combustion. The gasification alternative is deemed most suitable and the thesis evaluates how two downdraft wood gasifiers would perform if connected to the two currently unused diesel generators of 276 kW and 504 kW which are in place in each of the mills. The specific gasifier models examined are the Indian company Ankur’s WBG 250 and WBG 400 and the fuel preparation necessary to use these gasifiers is investigated. The electricity consumption of the mills is compared with the potential electricity generation. It is found that the smaller mill could produce a yearly amount of 1,5 MWh of electricity  for the grid and the larger mill could export 3,2 MWh.  As the engines must be run in dual mode, the net present value of the gasification system is dependent on the level of replacement diesel which according to Ankur will be between 50 and 75 %. In the smaller mill the investment in the gasifier system is profitable at replacement levels greater than 65,4 % and in the larger mill, the investment becomes profitable at replacement levels above  63,8 %. Moreover, the profitability of the investment is highly dependent on the Cuban electricity price which currently is strongly subsidized. The reduction in CO2 emissions are also dependent on the replacement level and  at 75 % replacement level they are found to be 665 tons in the smaller mill and 1272 tons in the larger mill. / Actualmente, el sector energético cubano depende fuertemente de petróleo importado y se encuentra en necesitad de inversiones para su desarrollo y modernización.  Durante la década pasada, el gobierno cubano inició la ‘Revolución energética’ que tiene como objetivo incluir en la generación de electricidad fuentes renovables. Una parte de este programa es la utilización de los biocombustibles del país, que consisten principalmente del bagazo de la industria azucarera y de los residuos de madera provenientes de la industria forestal.  En este contexto, la tesis presenta un estudio de caso de cómo utilizar los residuos de madera de dos aserraderos cubanos para generar electricidad. Hoy en día, los aserraderos no necesitan calefacción y por  lo tanto el enfoque es la generación de electricidad. Los aserraderos pertenecen a  EFI La Palma, una empresa estatal, y están ubicados en Pinar del Rio, la provincia más occidental de Cuba. Producen  8400 m3 y 12 500 m3 de madera aserrada por año. Actualmente los residuos de madera; aserrín, cortezas y astillas, son dejados en depósitos localizados cerca de cada aserradero.  Esos residuos no solo representan un desperdicio de recursos, además, son una fuente de contaminación local. Inicialmente, tres alternativas de generación de electricidad son investigadas en la revisión de la literatura: el ciclo de vapor, la gasificación conectada a un motor de combustión interna y finalmente la combustión de biomasa conectada con un motor de Stirling. La alternativa de gasificación fue considerada la más adecuada. La tesis evalúa cuanto el rendimiento de dos gasificadores de madera con fluje descendente conectados a dos generadores de diesel de 276 kW y de 504 kW que  actualmente existen en los dos aserraderos. Los modelos de motor examinados son: WBG 250 y WBG 400 de la empresa india Ankur. La preparación de la biomasa también es investigada con el fin de usarla con los motores mencionados. El consumo de electricidad se comparó con la generación de electricidad potencial de los aserraderos.  Los resultados muestran que el aserradero más pequeño podría generar 1,5 MWh de electricidad por año para vender a la red mientras en el aserradero más grande, 3,2 MWh de electricidad por año. Como los motores deben funcionar en modo dual, el valor neto presente del sistema de gasificación depende del nivel de sustitución de diesel que según Ankur sería entre 50 y 75%. En el aserradero más pequeño, la inversión en el sistema de gasificador es rentable a niveles de reemplazo de más de 65,4% y en el aserradero más grande, la inversión se vuelve rentable a niveles de reemplazo por encima de 63,8%. Además, la rentabilidad de la inversión depende fuertemente del precio de electricidad cubano, un precio que actualmente es considerablemente subsidiado. La reducción de las emisiones de CO2 depende igualmente del nivel de sustitución, a un nivel de 75% los dos aserraderos tienen una disminución de emisiones de 665 toneladas y de 1272 toneladas, respectivamente.

Most of the detached houses in Sweden were built more than 30 years ago, and most of them are oldand need a deep renovation. The renovation is an excellent opportunity to apply the energy measure witha combination of renewable energy such as PV solar, which could be a great option to reduce energyconsumption and contribute to reducing greenhouse emissions. For this reason, selecting effectiverenovation scenarios for buildings could be important and challenging. One of these challenges isapplying typical scenarios for one archetype's buildings. A building could be in the same archetypeswith similar geometry and properties but in different directions. In this study, the researcher aims toinvestigate the yearly heat demand energy saving of buildings from one archetype, the same renovationscenario, and the same area but in four different directions, 0-30-60-90 degrees from the south (casestudies).This project's additional aim is to examine the electricity generation from PV when installedon one and both sides for four houses in the same area in four different directions, 0-30-60-90 degreesfrom the south. Design Builder software was used as a graphical user interface through the Energy Plus engine. In thisway, the heat demand of case studies was simulated for different scenarios (Standard renovation andadvanced renovation) in the Växjö region. The results from the simulation of the houses with differentdirections showed that the heat demand energy decreased by, on average, 20% for standard and 28% foradvanced renovation. The comparison of the case studies with the same renovation scenario concludesthat they are no differences in the heat energy savings, which means the direction of the building has nobig impact on the energy saving of the renovation scenario in the Växjö region. The installation side ofthe PV has no impact on the annual electricity generation from PV for the house with a direction of 0degrees from the south. For the other houses, the yearly electricity generation from the PV increased by36.8% with one side on the roof (South direction). House number 4 is the best direction to install PVwith one side on the roof (south direction), and house 3 is the next best direction to install PV on oneside. When installed on both sides of the roof, the annual electricity generation from the PV decreased by5,3% with four houses in different directions. The changes are not so high may be due to the weather ofthe Växjö, which is 65 % cloudy according to the weather data file from TMY. Another reason is thatthe PV was installed on both sides of the pitched roof. When the houses have different directions, 0 to90 degrees from the south, that may be increased the electricity generation from the PV on one side andreduce it on the other.

Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) require electricity providers to supply a minimum fixed percentage or total quantity of customer load from designated renewable energy resources by a given date. These policies have become increasingly prevalent in the past decade as state governments seek to increase the use of renewable energy sources. As a policy tool, RPS provide a cost-effective, market-based approach for meeting targets which promote greater use of renewable energy in both regulated and deregulated markets. To facilitate the obtainment of Renewable Portfolio Standards, most states allow the trading of Renewable Energy Credits (RECs). RECs represent the environmental attributes of renewable energy generation which are decoupled from the generated power. These credits are created along with the generation of renewable energy, decoupled from energy generation, tracked by regional systems, and eventually purchased by retail suppliers to fulfill their RPS obligations. As of April 2010, RPS have been passed into law in 29 states and Washington D.C. and an additional 6 states have non-mandatory renewable portfolio goals however the U.S. government has yet to enact a Federal Renewable Portfolio Standard. Although the final requirements and details of a Federal RPS are undecided, federal standards would be unlikely to preempt or override state programs which are already in place. A key concern regarding the passage of a federal RPS is that a national REC market would result in a shift of wealth from states with few renewable energy resources and limited resource potential to regions richer in renewable resources. Because of the implications that a federal renewable portfolio standard would have on the economy, the environment, and the equitable treatment of all the states, many issues and concerns must be resolved before federal standards will be passed into law. A theoretical case study for an electric utility generation planning decision that includes obligations to meet Renewable Portfolio Standard is presented here. A framework is provided that allows decision makers and strategic planning teams to: assess their business situation, identify objectives of generation planning, determine the relative weights of the objectives, recognize tradeoffs, and create an efficient portfolio using Portfolio Theory. The case study follows the business situation for Austin Energy as it seeks to meet Texas State RPS and mandates set by Austin City Council and prepares for potential National RPS legislation. / text

The world is currently experiencing major issues in the energy sector. The ever-growing human population, limited energy resources and the effect of greenhouse gas emissions have become major global concerns for the energy sector, including the electricity generation sector. This dilemma caused electricity providers to revise their generation methods and created a major need for consumers to utilise electricity more efficiently. Demand side management (DSM) is one initiative developed for consumers to efficiently utilise electricity. Due to their high electricity consumption and technical skills, mines are ideal targets for the implementation of DSM strategies. Therefore, the focus of this study was to investigate South African mines for possible implementation of DSM strategies on their compressed air networks. Compressed air networks at South African mines are relatively old and inadequately maintained. This causes inefficient distribution and use of compressed air. The study will therefore focus on reconfiguring mining compressed air networks for cost savings. Cost savings include financial savings on electricity bills, implementation costs and decreased maintenance. Through several investigations, the possibility of implementing energy savings strategies to reconfigure the compressed air networks of two South African mines was identified. Reconfiguring the networks would respectively entail interconnecting two shafts and relocating a compressor from an abandoned shaft to a fully productive shaft. Theoretical simulations were developed to determine the networks’ responses to the reconfiguration strategies. The simulations assisted in exposing the viability of implementing the reconfiguration strategies on the respective compressed air networks. Positive responses were obtained from the simulations and proposals were made to the respective mines for possible implementation. The proposed initiatives were implemented on the respective mines’ compressed air networks. After implementation of the interconnection strategy, a consecutive three-month performance assessment period commenced to prove the viability of the proposed savings. An average power saving of 1 700 kW was achieved during the performance assessment period. The proposed initiative to relocate the compressor is currently being implemented. A financial saving of approximately R8.9 million per annum was achieved by implementing the interconnection strategy. The large financial saving was due to the utilisation of the mine’s salvaged equipment. Further savings were achieved by the decreased maintenance on the mine’s compressors. Due to the successful implementation of the interconnection strategy, it is safe to state that cost savings can be achieved by reconfiguring mining compressed air networks. / MIng (Mechanical Engineering), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

M. Tech. (Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Applied and Computer Sciences), Vaal University of Technology, 2016 / Natural organic matter if not removed from water used for electricity generation has dire consequences that affect the long term plant health. The main problem is that organic matter at higher temperature and pressure disintegrate into smaller organic acids and carbon dioxide. This causes the cycle water and steam to be acidic and this can result in corrosion of the plant. The raw water from the Komati (Arnot power station) and Usutu (Kriel power station) scheme were analysed to determine the organic profile and seasonal variation. There was a noticeable variation in the quality of the water with an increase in DOC during rainy season. The water was found to be containing hydrophobic as well as hydrophilic molecules that could be quantified with a liquid chromatography organic detector (LC-OCD). Current water treatment processes employed at the two stations, Arnot and Kriel, has demonstrated the capability of removing organics to just over 50 percent at the pre-treatment section. The water treatment plant includes demineralisation plant that was able to produce water that met Eskom’s target specifications of less than 250 ppb DOC values. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the steam-condensate water was done by use of an ion chromatography method. The determined organic anions were found to be acetates, formats and lactates.

Este trabalho analisa a possibilidade de plantio sustentável de dendê (Elaeis guineensis) e o uso de sua biomassa residual como combustível em uma usina termelétrica para o provimento de energia elétrica em parte do Sistema Isolado, ao sul do Estado de Roraima. Para isso são conjugadas: a análise financeira, os aspectos sociais e as questões ambientais. Parte-se da definição das áreas necessárias para o plantio do dendê e para a instalação da indústria de extração dos óleos de palma e palmiste, associada a uma usina termelétrica movida à biomassa residual de dendê. Em seguida, procede-se a análise financeira, na qual é considerada a venda dos óleos de palma e de palmiste para a indústria alimentícia e de cosméticos, enquanto a biomassa residual (cachos de frutas vazios, cascas e fibras) é utilizada como combustível um uma usina termelétrica de 10MW de potência. A análise conjunta destas atividades indica que é possível obter uma taxa interna de retorno próxima a 16,71% ao ano e um valor presente líquido de R$ 46,9 milhões quando utilizada uma taxa de desconto de 15% ao ano, para um investimento total de R$ 491,5 milhões. Pelo fato de a região analisada estar localizada no Sistema Isolado, foi incorporado ao fluxo de caixa a sub-rogação dos benefícios da Conta Consumo de Combustível. Além de provar-se economicamente viável, no quesito ambiental, o trabalho realiza uma análise quantitativa da redução de emissões de gases de efeito estufa decorrente da substituição das termelétricas a óleo Diesel prevalentes na região pela biomassa residual do dendê. Tal plantio resulta em uma redução de aproximadamente 444 mil toneladas de CO2, assim como promove a recuperação de 28.888 mil hectares de terras degradadas. A análise social, por sua vez, indica que o plantio de dendê permite que cerca de 2.888 famílias permaneçam próximas às suas terras de origem, trabalhando em atividades apropriadas para o bioma amazônico e com uma geração de renda anual de R$ 5.800 somente com o plantio do dendê. / This study examines the viability of a sustainable project with the production of palm (Elaeis guineensis) to supply oil to food or cosmetic industries and the use of the residual biomass as a biofuel by a power plant. The biofuel side of the project aims the provision of electricity in part of the so called Isolated System, in southern Roraima. The analysis combines a financial approach, with social and environmental concerns. The starting point is the definition of the area size for planting the crop and fitting the assumptions of the industries (palm oil mill and biomass-fired power plant). In the procedures it is considered the palm oil and palm kernel oil sales for the food and cosmetics industries, while the residual biomass (empty fruit bunches, shells and fiber) is used as a fuel in a thermoelectric power plant. The analysis points to an internal rate of return close to 16,7% and a net present value of US$27.6 million, using a discount rate of 15% per year, for an investment of US$ 280 million. In environmental perspective, the quantitative analysis points to the reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases from the displacement of the Diesel powered plants, quite common in the region, by residual biomass powered one. Such displacement results in a reduction of approximately 444 thousand tons of CO2, as well as the recovery of 28,888 hectare of deforested areas. In social perspective, the project allows approximately 2,888 families to remain close to their homeland, working in appropriated activities for the local biome, obtaining US$3,400 per year only with palm plantation.

[pt] Com a assinatura da Lei 11.097 de 13 de Janeiro de 2005, o Biodiesel fica introduzido na matriz energética brasileira. Até o fim de 2007, a mistura deste biocombustível ao diesel mineral, derivado do petróleo, é voluntária pelas distribuidoras de combustíveis. A partir de Janeiro de 2008, todo o óleo diesel será comercializado obrigatoriamente com 2% de Biodiesel misturado e, a partir de 2013 a mistura deverá conter 5% de Biodiesel. O mercado potencial de Biodiesel para esta meta de 2008 é de aproximadamente 800 mil toneladas anuais. Revela-se, portanto, um enorme esforço de todas as esferas interessadas neste mercado: instituições de ensino e pesquisa, agro-indústrias, indústrias ligadas ao setor energético, entre outras, com objetivo de se atingir a meta estipulada pela Lei. Como parte deste esforço, no presente trabalho foram levantados aspectos técnicos, econômicos, sociais e ambientais sobre a implementação do programa de implementação do Biodiesel na matriz energética brasileira, visando identificar os prós e contras da utilização deste biocombustível. Um modelo de análise termodinâmica de uma usina termelétrica foi desenvolvido para descrever o comportamento de motores ciclo diesel de grande porte operando com 4 tipos diferentes de Óleo Combustível e 5 tipos de Biodiesel. / [en] With the Federal Act number 11.097, from January 13, 2005, Biodiesel is introduced in the Brazilian energy matrix. To the end of 2007, a voluntary mixture of this fuel to mineral diesel oil can be prepared by fuel distributors. From January 2008, diesel oil will have to be commercialized with 2% of Biodiesel. This percentage is to be increased to 5% by 2013. The goal for 2008 means, approximately, 800 thousand ton of Biodiesel annually. All parts involved, universities, research institutes, agro business and energy industries, among others, have been putting a great deal of effort to meet the target set by Federal Government. The present work is a small contribution to this effort. Technical, economical, social and environmental aspects of the problem have been taking into account in the present study, in order to identify pros and cons of the utilization of Biodiesel. A simple thermodynamic model of a thermal-electric power plant was developed to predict the behavior of a large capacity diesel engine operating with conventional fuel (four different types of fuel oil) and with Biodiesel.