The Brazilian ethanol fuel program (Proalcool) is the worlds largest biomass to energy program. The purpose of this book is to provide an overview of the Brazilian experience with ethanol as a substitute for gasoline and analyse its future prospects in both Brazil and the world market. Initiated in 1975 as a response to the first oil crisis and the resulting sharp increase in worldwide oil prices, the program has experienced prolonged periods of both splendour and gloom. Early success was followed by a period during which the program came under intense criticism on economic grounds due to low...