Energy Auctions in Brazil

Introduction

Brazil has an energy auction system to expand transmission lines and buy electricity generated by new power plants. The auction system should guarantee that energy services follow the compliance of pre-defined quality standards combined with the cheapest possible price. In this system, every technically qualified company can participate at auctions offering its services. This stimulates the opening of the market and the increase of competition. All these factors together promote the reduction of electricity generation costs. Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH supports its partner, the Brazilian Energy Planning Authority EPE (port. Empresa de Pesquisa Energética), at enhancing the conditions for the participation of renewable energies at energy auctions. This includes the improvement of regulations, long-term monitoring of potentials to adequate auctions according energy demands and preparing auctions for the entry of innovative energy sources.

Summary of energy auctions felled from renewable energy sources - Sumário dos leilões de energia provenientes de fontes renováveis (2015)

This spreadsheet gives an overview about the results of the energy auctions with participation of renewable energies from 2007 to 2015. It offers information about how many projects were registered, qualified and finally contracted, what was their potential and what was the price achieved in the auction.

Wind energy auctions

The first exclusive wind energy auction was realized in 2009. 71 wind energy projects with a potential of two Gigawatt (GW) were contracted. Since then, wind energy turned competitive and could subsequently dispute with other energy sources in the auctions. Till date, there were 14 auctions with a participation of wind energy, totalizing 561 contracted wind energy projects with a capacity of 14 GW till 2019 and an average price of aproximately R$ 125,00/MWh.

Increasing the knowledge of wind potential

The monitoring system for anemometric measurement (port. Acompanhamento de Medições Anemomêtricas - AMA) was created in 2010 in order to establish a database for wind measurement data. It increases the knowledge about the wind energy potential in different Brazilian regions, enabling further studies and strengthening the participation of wind energy in the Brazilian energy mix. AMA´s data comes from anemometric and climatic towers whose installation is obligatory for wind energy ventures that won a lot in an energy auction. In 2011, nearly 70 towers initiated data transmission and 370 are expected to enter into operation until the end of 2015.

Stochastic modeling of wind power generation for energy studies - Modelagem Estocástica da Geração Eólica para Estudos Energéticos (2010)

Anticipating the creation of the AMA system, the project “Stochastic modelling of wind power generation for energy studies” aims on the explorative analysis of wind energy data. In this study, wind data obtained by three power plants in Ceará-state from 1999 to 2009 and from a synthetic series built for the period 1976 – 2008 were evaluated. The aim was to obtain a wind statistical modelling to perfume studies, such as correlation of wind and water in electricity generation.

Classification methodology of weather stations for wind potential studies - Coleta de dados de vento estrategicamente distribuídos pelo território nacional (2010)

In order to establish a long term wind measurement system for wind energy studies, 47 Brazilian meteorological stations were chosen to provide necessary data of wind. This study gives information about the selection process of the stations according the therefore elaborated methodology and shows their distribution on the national territory. 

Management of the long term wind energy database - Gerenciamento de banco de dados de vento de longo prazo (2011)

The implementation of a wind energy database needed to be prepared carefully. In this study, formal criteria to maintain this database are defined, such as: type of data records, classification, filtering and consolidation of data.

Consistency and exploration analysis of meteorological data - Análise de Consistência e Exploratória de Dados Meteorológicos (2012)

After the introduction of AMA as computational tool for the elaboration of a wind energy database, it was necessary to supply it with data consistent and reliable quality, which requires a prior analysis of the consistency of measurements before forming part of the bank.  This study shows how to ensure these data checking physical limits, others measurements, temporal behavior etc.

Technical note about installation instructions and reporting of maintenance of the AMA system anemometric stations –

NOTA TÉCNICA DEA 04/13 leilões de energia: Instruções para a elaboração de relatórios de instalação e manutenção das estações anemométricas do sistema AMA (2013)

This technical note gives specifications on how to elaborate the report about the installation and maintenance of the wind measurement stations of the AMA system. The installation report  suggests include information about the localization of measurement stations, description of the towers, installed measurement instruments as well as verification of their functioning and the certificates for calibration of anemometers.

Technical note about instructions for wind speed and climatologic measurements in wind farms -

NOTA TÉCNICA DEA 08/14 leilões de energia: Instruções para as medições anemométricas e climatológicas em parques eólicos (2014)

Since 2011, anemometric measurement is legally obligatory for wind energy ventures that obtain auctioned capacities in order to generate and transmit data of the AMA system. To structure this process, this technical note from EPE gives specifications on characteristics of the measurement stations, equipment and how to register the stations. It also defines the format for transmitted data.

Application of wind energy data

Development of a Wind Index Concept for Brazil (2013)

Wind indexes can compare the wind behavior of a region with the performance of turbines or wind farms.. In this study, it shows a methodology to group regions with similar wind behavior and then compare the wind conditions of locals inside the area with a reference value of this area, be it monthly, yearly etc. These indexes are also important to identify long-term correlations among wind supply and water level in the river basins, which, in a country like Brazil with a high percentage of hydro generation, can improve energy planning significantly.

Methodology for the actualization of the Brazilian wind power atlas – Metodologia de atualização do Atlas Eólico Brasileiro (2013)

The Brazilian Wind Atlas was developed in 2001 to map the Brazilian wind energy potential. This study develops a methodology to renew the atlas, considering that wind measurement tools, mathematical and terrain models, satellite data improved significantly during the last decade and new data generated in the framework of AMA that could now be included into the atlas.

►Go To Top

Auctions for isolated systems

Part of the Brazilian population still lives in areas where the national electric grid isn’t available. In such regions, electricity must be supplied through small decentralized systems. In this sense, Brazilian legislation imposes that distribution companies acquire electric power via energy auctions specially designed to meet these needs.

Support for off grid/ mini grid system auctions

Integration potential of photovoltaic energy in isolated grids with diesel generators - Potencial de integração de energia fotovoltaica em redes isoladas com geradores a diesel (2013)

The application of photovoltaic energy in isolated systems is viable – it’s the conclusion of this feasibility study. The author compares two different scenarios with different generation system sizes and fuel costs and concludes that the introduction of hybrid photovoltaic-diesel systems in remote areas is overall beneficial. The simulation was carried out through software HOMER, which is specially designed for simulations of hybrid generation systems.

Planning instructions for Energy Supply of Isolated Systems and presentation of Reference Projects – Instruções para o encaminhamento do atendimento aos sistemas isolados e apresentação de Projetos de Referência (2014)

In order to plan the long term energy supply of Isolated Systems, EPE published instructions describing the elaboration of the mandatory planning report regarding operation and expansion of both energy production and demand in these areas. This information, submitted by the local electricity providers, supports the preservation and future improvement of energy supply in remote areas with isolated systems. The planning process is divided in three steps: definition of consumer market and load, analysis of electricity supply and verification of energy balance and, finally, presentation of Reference Project to supply the unmet demand. 

EPE publishes instructions for the planning of the attendence of consumer markets in isolated systems - EPE publica instruções para o planejamento de mercados de consumidores dos sistemas isolados (2014)

Energy simulations of isolated systems - Simulações energéticas dos sistemas isolados (2014)

The aim of the energy simulations described in this study was to evaluate the feasibility of renewable energy based generation systems in remote areas. It contains energy simulations of four locations in Acre-state, Amazonia, and a generic case study about the expansion of renewable energies in isolated systems. The author argues that hybrid energy systems with combined diesel generators, photovoltaic systems and batteries serve to cover the energy demand more economically than common diesel generators.

Analysis guide for projects in remote areas - Elaboração do Guia para Análise de Projetos para Regiões Remotas (2014)

The last step of the planning process for energy supply of isolated systems is the presentation of the reference project. EPE is responsible for the analysis and approval of the reference project elaborated by the energy providers. This guide works as a tool to facilitate the evaluation process done by EPEs staff, providing excel sheets about instructions, analysis guide, reference about investment costs and proposed timetable.

Instructions for the elaboration and presentation of alternative projects of energy supply - Instruções para Elaboração e Apresentação de Projetos Alternativos aos Projetos de Referência (2014)

The reference project describes the solution for the energy supply in the isolated system and is proposed by the local energy provider. This project serves as a standard at the energy auction carried out to supply electricity in isolated systems. However, during the bid process, entrepreneurs may submit alternative projects seeking to replace the Reference Project and compete in the auction. Nevertheless, the alternative project needs to be qualified by EPE. This study supported the preparation of instructions for the elaboration of alternative projects.

►Go To Top

Photovoltaic auctions

In 2013 photovoltaic project could participate in regular energy auctions for the first time, but the participating projects could not compete with cheaper technologies like wind power. In October 2014 the first specific PV auctions was realized. 31 PV projects with a total installed capacity of 889 MWp signed Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with duration of 20 years. Additionally, the Brazilian development bank BNDES launched a credit line with favorable conditions for the PV projects. 

PV auctions as new element of the Brazilian energy policy - Photovoltaik-Auktionen – Neues Element der brasilianischen Energiepolitik

The Brazilian government aims to support the development of PV in Brazil by the introduction of specific PV auctions, following the same approach like it was realized before with wind power, which led to the successful enlargement of the wind power industry and installed wind capacity in Brazil. GIZ supported the process by promoting know-how-transfer, institutional exchange and dissemination of market opportunities in the PV business.

Preparation of PV auctions

Registration instructions for photovoltaic and concentrating solar power systems for new energy auctions - Instruções de cadastramento de sistemas fotovoltaicos e heliotérmicos em leilões de energia nova (2013)

In 2013, the Brazilian Ministry of Mines and Energy authorized, for the first time, the participation of bids from photovoltaic and concentrating solar power (CSP) projects in an auction contracting new energy lots Seeking to facilitate the technical qualification executed by EPE, the registration instructions for PV and CSP systems for energy auctions help entrepreneurs to specify required technical and administrative details of the participating projects. This report supported the elaboration of the instructions published by EPE.

The improved registration instructions as outcomes of the improvement process can be found on EPE´s website, where there are also instructions for other energy sources:

EPE registration instructions - Instruções para cadastramento (2014)

Dissemination of PV auctions

Framework Assessment for the Photovoltaic Business Opportunities in Brazil (2014)

This report describes the legal and administrative framework of Net Metering and distributed generation in Brazil, giving an overview on business opportunities for installing solar PV systems. It shows the current market profile for PV and then develops business models for enabling policy options such as Energy Auction Systems and Net Metering. Challenges and further developments are discussed.

►Go To Top

Further Information 

• Energypedia - Wind Energy Country Analyses Brazil​
• CCEE (Câmara de Comercialização de Energia Elétrica) - Types of Energy Auctions
• ABEEólica (Associação Brasileira de Energia Eólica) – Boletim de Dados Jul. 2015
• ANEEL (Agência Nacional de Energia Elétrica) - SIGEL: Sistema de Informações Geográfica de Usinas Eólicas
• Proposta de um Modelo para Seleção de Estações Meteorológicas (2010)