The Use of Biodigesters in the Treatment of Swine Manure …
121
even though their components are not mechanically covered by insulation elements,
they are isolated by physical distance. A buried gas transport system deals with a
highly combustible fluid chemical element. In case of leakage, it can travel great
distances and accumulate in large areas before reaching the surface, which could
ignite for any spark form, causing a large explosion. For this reason, supervisory
systems must prioritize safety aspects, whether in control and operation of electrical,
nuclear or thermal power plants, gas or biomass [25, 67]. It should be noted that the
supervisory system of this project is not related to other traditional biogas production
systems. It involves several participants and installations, distributed along 11 km
of gas pipelines, in contrast to those in which production and conversion of biogas
share the same physical and limited space to a producer (owner) only.
15 The COVID-19 Impact on the Final Stages of the Biogas
Project
On February 6, 2020, Federal Law No. 13,979 was enacted in Brazil. It “provides
for measures to deal with the public health emergency of international magnitude,
resulted from the coronavirus outbreak in 2019.” This law informed that the exercise
and functioning of public services and essential activities should be safeguarded.
On March 23, 2020, Santa Catarina State Government (where the Biogas Project
work is situated) enacted Decree No. 525. It “provides for new measures to deal with
the public health emergency of international magnitude, resulted from coronavirus,
and establishes other measures.” In this decree, the generation, transmission and
distribution of electric energy and gas were considered public services and essential
activities. However, the impact of COVID-19 on the final stages was due to the fact
that some agencies adopted (totally or partially) the home–office model. In addition
to that, Brazilian public universities interrupted their activities, and consequently, so
did their foundations associated with research, development and innovation.
At the construction site, the greatest impact felt was on the requirement for social
distance. In addition, other preventive measures, such as: mask wearing; washing
hands frequently; and the already established regulations, regard health and safety
of workers, as established by Brazilian regulatory standards. Hosseini [39] states
that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected renewable energy manufacturing facilities, supply chains and companies, delaying the transition to the world of sustainable
energy. The author further argues that several beneficial incentives should be offered
by governments, in order to persuade private sectors, and society, to invest in renewable energy. Considering this, the Biogas Project is presented as a smart policy for
converting animal waste (an environmental liability) into a sustainable solution, also
being concluded in a moment of global pandemic, by a federal state-owned company
in the Brazilian electric sector, and based on a Brazilian Federal Law to encourage
research.
121
even though their components are not mechanically covered by insulation elements,
they are isolated by physical distance. A buried gas transport system deals with a
highly combustible fluid chemical element. In case of leakage, it can travel great
distances and accumulate in large areas before reaching the surface, which could
ignite for any spark form, causing a large explosion. For this reason, supervisory
systems must prioritize safety aspects, whether in control and operation of electrical,
nuclear or thermal power plants, gas or biomass [25, 67]. It should be noted that the
supervisory system of this project is not related to other traditional biogas production
systems. It involves several participants and installations, distributed along 11 km
of gas pipelines, in contrast to those in which production and conversion of biogas
share the same physical and limited space to a producer (owner) only.
15 The COVID-19 Impact on the Final Stages of the Biogas
Project
On February 6, 2020, Federal Law No. 13,979 was enacted in Brazil. It “provides
for measures to deal with the public health emergency of international magnitude,
resulted from the coronavirus outbreak in 2019.” This law informed that the exercise
and functioning of public services and essential activities should be safeguarded.
On March 23, 2020, Santa Catarina State Government (where the Biogas Project
work is situated) enacted Decree No. 525. It “provides for new measures to deal with
the public health emergency of international magnitude, resulted from coronavirus,
and establishes other measures.” In this decree, the generation, transmission and
distribution of electric energy and gas were considered public services and essential
activities. However, the impact of COVID-19 on the final stages was due to the fact
that some agencies adopted (totally or partially) the home–office model. In addition
to that, Brazilian public universities interrupted their activities, and consequently, so
did their foundations associated with research, development and innovation.
At the construction site, the greatest impact felt was on the requirement for social
distance. In addition, other preventive measures, such as: mask wearing; washing
hands frequently; and the already established regulations, regard health and safety
of workers, as established by Brazilian regulatory standards. Hosseini [39] states
that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected renewable energy manufacturing facilities, supply chains and companies, delaying the transition to the world of sustainable
energy. The author further argues that several beneficial incentives should be offered
by governments, in order to persuade private sectors, and society, to invest in renewable energy. Considering this, the Biogas Project is presented as a smart policy for
converting animal waste (an environmental liability) into a sustainable solution, also
being concluded in a moment of global pandemic, by a federal state-owned company
in the Brazilian electric sector, and based on a Brazilian Federal Law to encourage
research.