As a regional leader and energy producer, Brazil’s geopolitical role in the emerging post-carbon global energy landscape is likely to grow. The current international energy system is challenged by constraints on available resources and the rise of new players. Local availability of clean secure energy sources is critical in not only protecting against volatility in international energy trade, but also in supporting municipalities that are straining under the pressure of increasing urban growth and demands on basic services. Rising demand for energy further exacerbates the challenges that climate change poses to urban areas. While the infrastructure costs of transitioning to more sustainable energy service systems can be great, adoption of generation sources such as photovoltaic and wind allows small economic actors to develop new innovative energy projects that meet local needs with local resources. This research explores the potential for urban distributed energy generation facilities in Brazil, the growth of which positions the country to be a leader in the emerging reconfiguration of energy supply and demand. Distributed generation facilities redefine how urban energy services are planned and executed while also eroding established patterns in the global flows of energy and the accompanying energy oriented capital investments.
