What is an energy matrix?

What is an energy matrix? It is a set of energy sources offered in the country to capture, distribute and use energy in the commercial, industrial and residential sectors. The matrix represents the amount of energy available in a country, and the origin of this energy can be from renewable or non-renewable sources.

THE world energy matrix is composed mostly of non-renewable sources – fossil fuels as Petroleum, mineral coal and natural gas they still constitute a large part of the energy used around the world.

Most countries still prioritize non-renewable energy sources such as fossil fuels in their energy matrices

The Brazilian energy matrix, on the contrary, is based on production hydroelectric. There are more than a thousand hydroelectric plants in the country, which accounts for about half of Brazilian production and consumption. Hydroelectric energy is considered a renewable energy source, that is, from resources capable of being rebuilt in a short term.

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In addition to hydroelectric plants, the Brazilian government has encouraged, since the 1970s, the production and use of ethanol (fuel obtained mainly from sugarcane), which is also a source of renewable energy widely used in the country. Currently, ethanol represents 15% of the total fuel consumed in combustion engines.

All over the world, there has been discussion about the need for replacement of the energy matrix based on fossil fuels and non-renewable energy sources. THE environmental issue is a priority in this debate, however, dependence on oil as an energy source is also one of the causes of this concern.

By Amarolina Ribeiro
Graduated in Geography

Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:

RIBEIRO, Amarolina. "What is an energy matrix?"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/o-que-e/geografia/o-que-e-matriz-energetica.htm. Accessed on June 28, 2021.