#bio coal plant cost

[esgagile]

Innovative Products to Lower Carbon Emissions

We are Carbon footprint consultant in Agile Advisors, "Carbon reduction" will become a required duty in the construction industry's future. Various approaches to producing new materials include 3D printing, recycling, low-carbon substitutes, and performance increases. In addition to being more ecologically friendly and opening up new construction techniques, new materials will also impact the direction and starting point of design concepts, leading to new structures with novel spaces and perspectives. Low-carbon building materials are not just a strategy, but the mainstay of the building materials sector's efforts to curb carbon emissions at the source. These materials, most of which are bio-based, utilize renewable biomass or raw materials from bio-manufacturing. The exterior of the building features two different textures: a laminated surface created using laminated printing and a carefully planned woven pattern texture on the sidewall in front of the door that gives visitors a delicate impression.

Agile Advisors provide Carbon footprint consultant In UAE, they represent a novel class of materials produced through chemical, physical, and biological processes, such as dried luffa fibres, corn stalks, mycelium, microalgae, and more. By reusing agricultural waste, mitigating subsidence, absorbing CO2, and minimizing plastic waste, they are shifting the industry's reliance from fossil to biological or planted resources, thereby significantly reducing carbon emissions. The Alive Pavilion, an entry by The Living Studio to the 2021 Venice Biennale, is a testament to the possibilities of multi-species architecture and the effective utilization of microorganisms. The Pavilion is constructed from the dried fibres of luffa, a low-cost, fast-growing vegetable that thrives in tropical and subtropical regions. These fibres, with their unique surface, create a robust, organic material that can support a variety of microorganisms. The fibre concrete the team developed—which omits formwork and steel bars—was used for cabin printing.

Agile Advisors, a leading Carbon footprint consultant In Dubai, they can be easily modified to create panels or partitions for building projects, showcasing the innovative potential of novel materials in the construction industry. The Growing Pavilion, a transient installation for Dutch Design Week, consists of mycelium panels affixed to a wooden framework. Company New Heroes commissioned set designer and artist Pascal Leboucq to create the temporary Pavilion, which he did in conjunction with Eric Klarenbeek. Grown Bio was the company that grew the mycelium panels in the Netherlands. Bio-based materials are given a new aesthetic significance by the Pavilion, which displays its distinctive organic textures and hues to the general public. Investigating material recycling and reuse is necessary to find a solution to waste material to achieve sustainable development. In addition to virgin resources that may be obtained locally, more and more novel materials are opening up.

As a Carbon footprint consultant, Hard-to-degrade plastics, construction trash from urban renewal cycles, ceramic waste from ceramic production, etc. Both ceramic and clay tiles are mostly made of clay. Over 10 million tons of ceramics are thrown away annually in China; these solid wastes not only utilize a lot of energy and land resources, such as coal, but they also have high carbon emissions that are above regulations and seriously affect the environment. Ceramic waste disposal has grown to be an issue. A unique example of a recycled construction material made from ceramic waste, the Recycled Tree at Design China Beijing showcases design concepts for addressing China's severe waste material management issue. It was developed in partnership with Italian architect Aldo Cibic.

Being a Carbon footprint consultant In UAE, the recycled ceramic tiles were gathered, examined, ground into a powder, combined, and subjected to laboratory testing. Materials like wood were eventually supplanted by steel and cement due to their inferior performance; however, the traditional materials are still being revived by modern techniques to enhance their performance. 3D printing technology has broadened design options and altered how architecture is conceptualized. Investigating materials for 3D printing has produced architectural environments with a range of sensations and structures. Furthermore, labour and material costs associated with 3D printing help lower carbon emissions. Two sets of robotic arm printing systems are used to print the cabin: one prints the main structure and building foundation in place, while the other prints the arc wall and dome top in situ.

[aidenleepingwei]

Aiden Lee Ping Wei - Agriculture waste recycled to produce Electricity

​Aiden Lee Ping Wei is the Co-Founder and CEO of Graphjet Technology, pioneering the production of graphite and graphene directly from agricultural waste. In this post, Aiden Lee Ping Wei is sharing details on agriculture waste recycled to produce electricity. 

​Recycling agricultural waste to produce electricity is an increasingly popular method for sustainable energy production and waste management. This process not only helps in managing agricultural residues but also provides a renewable source of energy.

Here are some common methods used to convert agricultural waste into electricity:

Biogas Production:

Anaerobic Digestion: This process involves the breakdown of organic material in the absence of oxygen, producing biogas (a mixture of methane and carbon dioxide). Common agricultural wastes used include animal manure, crop residues, and food waste.

Biogas Utilization: The biogas can be used directly in combined heat and power (CHP) systems to generate both electricity and heat, or it can be upgraded to biomethane and injected into the natural gas grid.

Biomass Combustion:

Direct Combustion: Agricultural residues like straw, husks, and wood chips can be directly burned in biomass power plants to produce steam, which drives turbines to generate electricity.

Co-firing: Agricultural waste can be co-fired with coal or other fuels in existing power plants to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance energy production efficiency.

Gasification:

Thermal Gasification: This process converts organic material into syngas (a mixture of carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide) through high-temperature reactions with a controlled amount of oxygen. The syngas can be used to produce electricity in gas engines or turbines.

Pyrolysis:

Pyrolysis: This is the thermal decomposition of organic material at high temperatures in the absence of oxygen. It produces bio-oil, syngas, and biochar. The syngas and bio-oil can be used for electricity generation, while biochar can be used as a soil amendment.

Liquid Biofuels:

Ethanol and Biodiesel Production: Agricultural waste such as corn stover, sugarcane bagasse, and other crop residues can be processed to produce ethanol or biodiesel. These biofuels can be used in generators to produce electricity.

Benefits of Using Agricultural Waste for Electricity:

Renewable Energy Source: Reduces reliance on fossil fuels and decreases greenhouse gas emissions.

Waste Management: Helps in managing and reducing agricultural waste, preventing it from being burned openly or left to decompose, which can cause environmental pollution.

Economic Advantages: Provides an additional revenue stream for farmers and creates jobs in rural areas.

Sustainable Farming: Enhances soil fertility and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers when by-products like biochar are used in fields.

Challenges:

Feedstock Supply: Continuous and reliable supply of agricultural waste can be challenging due to seasonal variations.

Technology Costs: Initial investment for setting up biogas plants, biomass power plants, or gasification units can be high.

Technical Expertise: Requires technical knowledge and expertise to operate and maintain the systems efficiently.

Examples of Successful Implementation:

Germany: Leading in biogas production with thousands of anaerobic digestion plants utilizing agricultural waste.

India: Various projects converting agricultural residues into biogas and electricity, especially in rural areas.

United States: Biomass power plants and biogas facilities are increasingly using agricultural waste to generate renewable energy.

In conclusion, recycling agricultural waste for electricity production is a viable and environmentally friendly approach to meet energy demands and manage waste sustainably. Advances in technology and supportive policies can further enhance the adoption and efficiency of these systems.

Follow Aiden Lee Ping Wei for more such posts!

[chemicalmarketwatch-sp]

Gas Treatment Market Booms : Top Trends, Growth & Opportunities $4.9B Market

The gas treatment market isn't about sprucing up your holiday flat for guests. It's about cleaning up raw, unrefined gasses to make them usable and environmentally friendly. This often-invisible industry plays a crucial role in powering our world, from generating electricity to crafting fertilizers and plastics. In 2022, it stood at a robust USD 4.9 billion, and it's poised for further growth, projected to reach USD 8.61 billion by 2032.

What's driving this expansion? Several factors are fueling the fire:

Soaring natural gas demand: As the world shifts towards cleaner energy sources, natural gas is emerging as a bridge fuel, replacing coal and powering electricity grids. This surge necessitates efficient treatment to remove impurities like sulfur and carbon dioxide, making the gas safe and compliant with environmental regulations.

Environmental regulations: Governments across the globe are tightening their belts on pollutant emissions. This push for cleaner air and water is driving demand for advanced gas treatment technologies that minimize environmental impact.

Technological advancements: The industry is witnessing a burst of innovation, with new membrane separation techniques, cryogenic processes, and biological treatment options offering more efficient and cost-effective ways to purify gasses.

Evolving application landscape: Beyond traditional uses in power generation and petrochemicals, gas treatment is finding its way into new industries like biogas production, coal gasification, and food and beverage processing. This diversification further bolsters market growth.

However, the path to clean gas isn't paved with roses. Challenges abound:

Volatility in oil and gas prices: The market's fortunes are closely tied to the rollercoaster ride of oil and gas prices. Fluctuations can impact investments in treatment infrastructure and hinder market stability.

High upfront costs: Setting up gas treatment plants demands significant capital expenditure. This can deter smaller players and limit widespread adoption of advanced technologies.

Technical complexities: Gas treatment involves intricate processes and requires skilled personnel to operate and maintain these facilities. Addressing the talent gap is crucial for sustainable market growth.

Waste disposal dilemmas: The treatment process itself generates waste products like spent solvents and sludges. Finding environmentally sound and cost-effective disposal solutions is an ongoing challenge.

Despite these hurdles, the future of the gas treatment market looks bright. Here's a sneak peek:

Sustainability in the spotlight: The industry is expected to see a shift towards greener technologies like bio-based solvents and carbon capture and utilization (CCU) solutions. This aligns with the growing global focus on sustainability and circular economy principles.

Digitalization takes center stage: Advancements in automation, artificial intelligence, and data analytics will optimize treatment processes, improve efficiency, and enable predictive maintenance, minimizing downtime and costs.

Regional hotspots emerge: While North America and Europe have traditionally dominated the market, regions like Asia-Pacific and the Middle East are expected to witness significant growth, driven by booming energy sectors and stricter environmental regulations.

Download PDF Brochure :

The gas treatment market is more than just a niche industry; it's a critical cog in the machinery powering our transition to a cleaner future. By addressing the challenges and embracing innovation, this market can pave the way for a world where breathing easy isn't just a seasonal aspiration, but a reality fueled by clean and sustainable gas.

[1-2-3-4-4498-0]

Fueling the Future: The Biofuel Revolution

Biofuels Market are fuels produced directly or indirectly from organic material such as biomass including plant materials and animal waste. Biofuel is viewed as a source of renewable energy, unlike, fossil fuels for example, oil, coal, and petroleum gas. Biofuel is normally advocated as a cost-effective and environment friendly option in contrast to oil and other non-renewable energy sources, especially inside setting of rising oil costs and expanded worry over the commitments made by fossil fuels to global warming. Biofuels are in the form of solid, gaseous or liquid, where all these types of biofuel are used to signify liquid biofuel for transport of ethanol, which is a type of alcohol produced from any feedstock containing significant amount of sugar. Biofuels may be derived from agricultural crops, with conventional food plants or from special energy crops. It may also be produced from forestry, agricultural or fishery products or municipal wastes, as well as from agro-industry, food industry and food service by-products and wastes.

COVID-19 scenario analysis:

The global market for biofuels is severely impacted by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic saw a decline in the economic growth in almost all the major countries, thus affecting consumer spending patterns.

Owing to the lockdown implemented across various countries, national and international transport have been hampered, which has significantly impacted the supply chain of numerous industries across the globe, thereby increasing the supply–demand gap.

Thus, insufficiency in raw material supply is expected to hamper the production rate of biofuels, which negatively impact the market growth.

Top impacting factors: Market Scenario Analysis, Trends, Drivers, and Impact Analysis

Foremost factor that contributes for its growth is it reduces carbon emission as it is produced from bio-mass that includes plants and animals. Studies suggest that biofuels reduce greenhouse gases up to 60%. Besides this, it is a cost-effective fuel as it reduces dependence over fossil fuels as the biofuel is generated from natural and organic products. However, there are some restraints for this market like, insufficient availability of feedstock such as algae, starch, and sugar that would hinder the growth of biofuel market, all the feedstocks does not possess the same performance, which is a concern for the future market growth. Though the shortage of raw materials can be met by growing more crops that is used in biofuels, this could greatly impact the regional biodiversity of the environment as more land will be used for fuel production.

New product launches to flourish the market

In 2020, INEOS and UPM Biofuels announced a long-term agreement to supply a renewable raw material for new and inventive bio-attributed polymers to be created at INEOS Köln, Germany. INEOS will utilize UPM BioVerno, a sustainable crude material from renewable residue of wood mash handling, to create bio-ascribed polyolefins. These new sustainable materials will be used in a wide scope of items from plastic food bundling to clinical and pipes. Applications also include BIOVYNTM, the world’s first commercially available bio-credited PVC, created by INOVYN an INEOS Business.

Surge in use of biofuel in industrial applications

Biofuel is serving in many sectors such as energy generation and cooking fuel but the sector where it has it more impact is transportation. Ethanol, a biofuel, can be used as a fuel substitute for petroleum fuel. Bioethanol has lower emissions of carbon dioxide than coal and gasoline which harm the environment. Apart from this, ethanol, a biofuel is used in alcoholic beverages, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. The starch and sugar-based feedstock type segment holds a significant share of the ethanol market and is expected to continue to the trend throughout the forecast period. Starch-based bioethanol uses corn, barley, wheat, and other starch raw materials as feedstock to produce ethanol.

Key benefits of the report:

This study presents the analytical depiction of the global Biofuel industry along with the current trends and future estimations to determine the imminent investment pockets.

The report presents information related to key drivers, restraints, and opportunities along with detailed analysis of the global Biofuel market.

The current market is quantitatively analysed to highlight the global Biofuel market growth scenario.

Porter’s five forces analysis illustrates the potency of buyers & suppliers in the market.

The report provides a detailed global Biofuel market analysis based on competitive intensity and how the competition will take shape in coming years.

[budandtender]

Harnessing the Power of Hemp for a Sustainable Biomass Energy Future

Introduction

The concept of biomass energy has been around for centuries, but it was only in the early 1900s that visionaries like Henry Ford began to recognize its immense potential as an alternative to fossil fuels. Today, as we face the devastating consequences of climate change and environmental pollution, the need for sustainable, renewable sources of energy is more urgent than ever before. One such promising source of biomass energy is hemp, a versatile plant with remarkable potential for addressing our global energy needs.

The Advantages of Biomass Energy

Biomass energy refers to the conversion of organic materials, such as cornstalks, cannabis, waste paper, and other plant-based resources, into usable forms of energy like methane, methanol, or gasoline. Unlike fossil fuels, which are derived from extinct plants and animals, biomass energy comes from living plants that actively remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through photosynthesis. As a result, biomass energy is not only renewable but also environmentally friendly, as it helps to mitigate the greenhouse effect and reduce air pollution.

Furthermore, biomass fuels do not contain sulfur, which means that their combustion does not produce sulfur-based smog or contribute to acid rain. In terms of cost, biomass energy can be produced at a fraction of the price of oil, coal, or nuclear energy, especially when the environmental costs associated with these conventional sources are taken into account.

Hemp as a Superior Source of Biomass Energy

Among all the potential sources of biomass energy, hemp stands out for its exceptional cellulose content and rapid growth rate. According to various studies, hemp is at least four times richer in sustainable, renewable biomass potential than its closest competitors, such as cornstalks, sugarcane, and kenaf trees. This makes hemp an ideal candidate for large-scale biomass energy production.

There are two primary methods for converting hemp into usable energy: pyrolysis and biochemical composting. Pyrolysis involves heating the plant material in the absence of oxygen, which results in the production of charcoal, bio-oil, and syngas. These byproducts can then be further processed into fuels like methanol or gasoline. On the other hand, biochemical composting entails breaking down the plant material through enzymatic or microbial action, yielding methane and other useful chemicals.

Methanol: A Versatile Fuel for the Future

One of the most promising products of hemp biomass conversion is methanol, a versatile fuel that has been used in various applications throughout history. In the early 20th century, American farmers and drivers routinely mixed petroleum with methanol to power their vehicles. This practice continued until the end of World War II, when fossil fuels became more readily available and affordable.

Today, methanol is used as a high-performance fuel in race cars and has the potential to replace conventional gasoline in everyday vehicles. Methanol can be converted into high-octane, lead-free gasoline using a catalytic process developed by Georgia Tech University in collaboration with Mobil Oil Corporation. By transitioning to methanol-based fuels derived from hemp biomass, we can reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and move towards a more sustainable, environmentally friendly energy future.

Economic Benefits of Hemp Biomass Energy

In addition to its environmental advantages, hemp biomass energy offers significant economic benefits. The cultivation of hemp requires relatively low inputs, making it a cost-effective crop for farmers. Moreover, the processing of hemp biomass can create numerous job opportunities in the agricultural, manufacturing, and energy sectors.

As a versatile crop, hemp also has numerous other uses beyond energy production, including textiles, paper, building materials, and even food. This means that investing in hemp cultivation and processing infrastructure can have wide-ranging positive impacts on local economies and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Conclusion

The potential of hemp as a source of biomass energy is immense, and its adoption could help address many of the pressing environmental and economic challenges we face today. By investing in research, development, and infrastructure for hemp-based biomass energy, we can transition away from our reliance on fossil fuels, reduce air pollution, and create new opportunities for sustainable growth. The time has come to harness the power of hemp and unlock its full potential as a renewable, environmentally friendly, and economically viable source of energy for our planet.

[therenewableenergy]

Biomass Energy: Comprehensive Guide

Explore the power of Biomass Energy in our comprehensive guide. Learn about its definition, history, types (e.g., direct combustion, co-firing, pyrolysis, anaerobic digestion, biochemical conversion), and advantages (renewable, carbon-neutral, waste reduction, energy security). Discover potential drawbacks (spatial requirements, pollution risks, impact on food supply). Understand its role in combatting climate change, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and driving sustainability.

Introduction to Biomass Energy

We derive biomass energy, also known as bioenergy, from organic materials like plants and animals. We can use biomass as a source of heat, convert it into biofuel for transportation, or use it to generate electricity. Definition of Biomass Energy Organic material, often referred to as feedstock, produces biomass energy. This feedstock comprises different types of plant or animal materials such as tree wood, agricultural or forestry residues, and the organic components of municipal and industrial wastes. We can even harness the fumes from landfills as a source of biomass energy. History of Biomass Energy The use of biomass for energy purposes dates back to when our ancestors first discovered fire, possibly as far back as a million years ago. For the vast majority of human history, biomass was the dominant energy source. In the industrialized world, biomass energy was gradually replaced by coal, oil, and gas. However, in recent decades, due to growing concerns about climate change and the need for sustainable energy sources, there has been a resurgence in interest in biomass energy. Types of Biomass There are several types of materials that can be considered biomass: - Wood and agricultural products: This category encompasses residues like dead trees, branches, tree stumps, yard clippings, wood chips, and even municipal solid waste. - Food, yard, and wood waste in garbage: As raw biomass, these materials can undergo processing to produce various types of bioenergy, including biofuels and biogas. - Algae: Algae, being photosynthetic, holds promise as a biofuel source. - Energy crops: These crops are specifically grown for use as fuel, offering high output per hectare with low input energy. - Animal manure and human sewage: These materials can be converted to biogas through anaerobic digestion or transformed into solid biofuels through drying processes.

Production of Biomass Energy

Biomass energy is produced using several methods, each with its own set of benefits and challenges. Here's a rundown of the key methods: Direct Combustion This is the simplest and most common method of generating energy from biomass. We burn biomass materials like wood pellets, agricultural waste, or dried manure to produce heat. We can use this heat directly for heating or cooking, or to generate electricity by heating water to create steam. This steam then powers a turbine connected to an electrical generator. Co-firing Co-firing involves combusting biomass and coal together in one furnace, enabling power plants to produce electricity with fewer greenhouse gas emissions than coal alone. This cost-effective method reduces carbon emissions in existing coal power plants without major infrastructure modifications. Pyrolysis Pyrolysis is the thermal decomposition of biomass at high temperatures (typically above 500°C) in the absence of oxygen. This process produces a mixture of combustible gases (known as syngas), bio-oil, and a solid residue called biochar. We can burn the syngas and bio-oil to produce electricity or refine them into other products. Additionally, we can use the biochar as a soil amendment or for carbon sequestration. Anaerobic Digestion Anaerobic digestion involves the breakdown of biomass by microorganisms in an oxygen-free environment. The process produces biogas (a mixture of methane and carbon dioxide) and a nutrient-rich digestate. We can use the biogas for heat and electricity production, while the digestate serves as a fertilizer. Biochemical Conversion Biochemical conversion processes use enzymes, bacteria, or other microorganisms to break down biomass into various products, including biogas, biofuels like ethanol or biodiesel, and other chemicals. These processes typically include fermentation (where microorganisms break down sugars into ethanol or other products), anaerobic digestion, and the production of biodiesel from plant oils or animal fats.

Advantages of Biomass Energy

Biomass energy has several significant advantages that make it an important part of a sustainable energy future: Renewable Nature Biomass is a renewable energy source because we can always grow more trees and crops, and waste will always exist. It is a resource that is abundant and replenishable in a human timescale, making it a sustainable choice in energy production. Carbon Neutrality People often consider biomass energy as carbon neutral. The idea suggests that the plants absorb the carbon dioxide released during biomass combustion while growing. Although the production and transport of biomass fuels result in some emissions, the net carbon emissions can be very low compared to fossil fuels. Waste Reduction Using waste materials for biomass energy production can help to reduce the amount of waste going to landfills and incinerators. Biomass energy plants can use a wide range of waste materials including forestry residues, agricultural waste, and organic components of municipal and industrial wastes. Energy Security Biomass energy can contribute to energy security by providing an alternative to fossil fuels. Unlike oil, gas, or coal, which are concentrated in certain regions, biomass can be produced in almost any climate or geographical location. This reduces reliance on fossil fuel imports, which are subject to price volatility and supply disruption. It's important to note that while biomass energy has these advantages, it also has its challenges and potential downsides. These include the need for significant land and water resources, potential competition with food production, and air pollution issues if not properly managed. Therefore, sustainable and responsible practices are crucial in biomass energy production.

Disadvantages of Biomass Energy

While biomass energy has numerous benefits, there are also certain disadvantages that need to be considered: Spatial Requirements Large amounts of land are required to cultivate energy crops or collect biomass, which can lead to deforestation and habitat loss if not managed sustainably. Additionally, the infrastructure for biomass energy production, such as power plants and storage facilities, also requires considerable space. Pollution Risks Burning biomass for energy can release harmful pollutants into the air, including particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxide, which can contribute to health problems and environmental damage. However, modern technologies and proper regulation can help to mitigate these risks. Impact on Food Supply If agricultural land is used to grow energy crops instead of food crops, it could potentially lead to food shortages or increased food prices. This is particularly a concern in regions where arable land is scarce, and food security is already an issue. High Initial Costs The upfront costs for setting up biomass energy facilities can be quite high, making it a significant barrier for many countries and organizations. This includes the cost of land, cultivation, harvesting, transportation of biomass, and the construction of power plants. However, once established, the operational costs can be lower compared to some other forms of energy. Despite these challenges, continuous advancements in technology and sustainable management practices are helping to make biomass energy more efficient, less polluting, and more cost-effective. It's crucial to ensure a balanced approach to biomass energy development that maximizes its benefits while minimizing its downsides.

Biomass Energy and Climate Change

The development and use of biomass energy can play a crucial role in addressing climate change. Here's how: Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Biomass energy is often considered carbon neutral or low-carbon because burning biomass releases carbon dioxide, which is balanced by plants absorbing carbon dioxide during their growth. In contrast, fossil fuels add to atmospheric carbon dioxide, contributing to global warming. Additionally, biomass energy, utilizing waste materials, helps prevent methane emissions from waste decomposition—a potent greenhouse gas. However, the carbon neutrality of biomass energy is debated. It depends on factors like biomass type, time frame, and sourcing and processing methods. Role in Combating Climate Change Biomass energy can play a significant role in the transition to a low-carbon energy system. By replacing fossil fuels in electricity generation, heating, and transportation, biomass energy can help to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions. Certain forms of biomass energy, like bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS), may lead to negative emissions, removing more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than emitted. To effectively mitigate climate change, we must source and use biomass sustainably and responsibly, considering factors like biodiversity, soil health, and the rights of local communities.

Biomass Energy Technologies

There are various technologies to convert biomass into energy, each suitable for different types of biomass and end uses: Direct Combustion Technology Direct combustion, the most common method for generating heat from biomass, involves burning biomass in a boiler to generate steam. This steam then turns a turbine to generate electricity, or the heat produced can serve industrial processes or district heating. This technology, well-established and highly efficient, accommodates a wide range of biomass types. Gasification Systems Gasification transforms organic or fossil-based carbonaceous materials into carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide. It occurs at high temperatures without combustion, using controlled oxygen and/or steam. The resulting gas mixture, called syngas, generates electricity, provides heat, or serves as a basic chemical in petrochemical and refining industries. Anaerobic Digesters Anaerobic digestion involves a series of biological processes where microorganisms break down biodegradable material in the absence of oxygen. When we combust the resulting biogas from the process, it generates electricity and heat or we can process it into renewable natural gas and transportation fuels. We can use various types of organic waste in anaerobic digestion systems, including manure, food waste, and sewage sludge. Pyrolysis Systems Pyrolysis refers to the thermal decomposition of organic material at elevated temperatures in the absence of oxygen. It involves a simultaneous change of chemical composition and physical phase, and is irreversible. The process results in three products: gas (syngas), liquid (bio-oil), and solid (char). Syngas can generate electricity, while bio-oil can be further processed into fuels. Biochar can be used as a soil amendment or for carbon sequestration. The choice of technology depends on factors like the type of biomass available, the desired end product, cost considerations, and local environmental regulations.

Economics of Biomass Energy

Biomass energy can play an essential role in diversifying the energy mix and decreasing dependency on fossil fuels, but its economics are complex and influenced by many factors: Cost of Production The cost of biomass energy production depends on feedstock cost, technology, scale, and local regulations and markets. Feedstock costs vary greatly, ranging from negative (waste disposal fees) to high (specially grown energy crops). The capital and operational costs of biomass energy facilities can also be significant. Economic Benefits Biomass energy can offer various economic benefits. It can generate jobs and stimulate economic activity in rural areas where biomass resources are often located. By reducing dependency on imported fuels, it can also improve energy security and balance of trade. Furthermore, by providing a use for waste products, biomass energy can reduce waste disposal costs and create new revenue streams. Market Dynamics Factors like energy prices, policy incentives, technological developments, and societal attitudes towards energy and the environment influence the market for biomass energy. For instance, if fossil fuel prices are high or if there are strong policy incentives for renewable energy, the market for biomass energy can be more favorable. Future Economic Outlook As global efforts to combat climate change and shift to a more sustainable and diversified energy system continue, we anticipate the demand for biomass energy to rise. Yet, addressing challenges related to resource availability, sustainability, and cost competitiveness remains crucial. Moreover, integrated approaches, such as biorefineries that produce multiple products (e.g., energy, fuels, and chemicals) from biomass, can enhance the overall economic viability and improve the economics of biomass energy.

Policy and Regulation in Biomass Energy

Policy and regulatory frameworks are crucial in shaping the development and deployment of biomass energy. They can have significant impacts on the viability, sustainability, and social acceptability of biomass energy systems: Current Policies Current policies on biomass energy vary widely between different countries and regions. In many places, policy support for biomass energy is part of broader renewable energy or climate change policies. Such support can take various forms, including feed-in tariffs, renewable portfolio standards, tax incentives, direct subsidies, and carbon pricing mechanisms. Policies can also promote the use of waste materials for energy or the development of advanced biofuels. Regulatory Challenges Regulatory challenges for biomass energy include ensuring sustainability, managing competition for resources, and addressing local environmental and social impacts. Policies need to carefully balance the promotion of biomass energy with considerations for land use, biodiversity, water resources, and social equity. Regulations also need to keep pace with technological developments and evolving scientific understanding. International Regulations On the international level, regulations and agreements related to climate change, trade, and sustainability can significantly influence biomass energy. For example, the Paris Agreement on climate change encourages the use of renewable energy, including biomass. Trade agreements can affect the international trade of biomass and biofuels, while sustainability certification schemes can influence the market for sustainable biomass products. Future Policy Trends The global push to combat climate change, ensure energy security, and embrace the circular economy concept will influence future policy trends in biomass energy. Expect policies promoting sustainable and efficient biomass use, supporting innovation, and integrating biomass energy across agriculture, waste management, and industry. Design and implementation of policy and regulatory frameworks for biomass energy must prioritize a fair and just transition to a low-carbon economy, respecting the needs and rights of all stakeholders, including local communities and workers.

Future of Biomass Energy

Various trends and developments are expected to influence the future of biomass energy. Emerging Trends Emerging trends include recognizing biomass's role in the circular economy, valuing waste as a resource, and integrating biomass energy with various sectors like agriculture, industry, and waste management. There's also a rising emphasis on sustainable and responsible biomass sourcing, addressing land use, biodiversity, and social equity concerns. This could drive the development of sustainability standards and certification schemes for biomass and biofuels. Advances in Technology Technological advancements are expected to improve the efficiency, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness of biomass energy. For example, advancements in gasification and pyrolysis technologies could allow for the production of advanced biofuels and biochemicals from biomass. Progress in carbon capture and storage technologies could also enable bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS), which can potentially achieve negative emissions. Potential for Growth The potential for growth in biomass energy is significant, especially in regions with abundant biomass resources and strong policy support. Biomass energy can play an important role in diversifying the energy mix, enhancing energy security, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, it's crucial to ensure that this growth is sustainable and does not lead to negative environmental or social impacts. Future Challenges Future challenges for biomass energy include managing competition for resources, ensuring sustainability, reducing costs, and gaining social acceptance. Addressing these challenges will require a combination of policy support, technological innovation, sustainable practices, and public engagement. Read the full article

[solispowersolution]

Power Crisis in India- Would be Switching to Solar Solve Your Issue

Power Crisis in India

India recently experienced a power crisis, with the daily peak power shortage reaching 10,778 MW and the national energy deficit reaching 5%, with some states experiencing steep deficits of up to 15%. As a result, distribution companies resorted to load-shedding, resulting in long periods of outage for many households and rationed supply for economic activities.

This crisis has resulted from the depletion of coal supplies at thermal power plants. This, however, is not a new phenomenon. The shortage occurs almost every year, and despite various measures, the government has not been able to solve the problem.

An Unpredictable Resource

Despite being the world's second largest coal producer, the country experienced a coal supply shortage. However, this time, a lack of availability was not a cause for concern. Instead, problems with coal evacuation and stockpiling at thermal power plants caused a supply shortage. This, combined with an increase in the price of imported coal due to the world's unsettled political climate, resulted in a severe shortage.

The country urgently needs to diversify its electricity generation. Why? Because, even if India avoids the immediate crisis this year, it may not be able to do so in the future.

The demand for electricity continues to rise. Following the Covid-19 pandemic, Indian industries are attempting to resume operations and make up for lost time. A steady supply of electricity is critical in a rapidly growing economy and population. This crisis has provided an opportunity for the country to reduce its reliance on finite fossil fuels. The country requires a paradigm shift. From conventional and limited energy sources to locally available and sustainable renewable energy.

The Renewable Solution

According to a study conducted by Climate Risk Horizons, a policy research organisation, there would have been no crisis if India had met its renewable energy target of 175 GW. Renewable energy sources would have supplemented the generation from thermal power plants. This, in turn, would have preserved the dwindling reserves.

India currently has a renewable energy capacity of 160.92 GW, with a goal of reaching 175 GW by the end of 2022. This figure includes wind power, solar energy, bio-power, and small and large hydroelectrical power. Solar energy is the most accessible power source for homes, businesses, and industries.

The Bright Potential of Solar

As a tropical country, many states in India receive plenty of sunlight. The country can convert this locally available resource into a power source with a well-established solar infrastructure.

According to the National Institute of Solar Energy, the country has a vast solar potential of approximately 748 GW, assuming that solar modules cover 3% of the waste land area. India's goal for harnessing this resource is to build 280 GW of solar power capacity by 2030. Furthermore, to achieve this goal, the Indian government is constructing large-scale solar power plants. Through policy changes and subsidy programmes, they are also encouraging rooftop solar installations.

And there are many takers.

Businesses and industries across many industries are turning to solar to reduce their electricity costs and gain energy production independence. Furthermore, as residential solar installation policies evolve, homeowners are investing in rooftop solar systems.

Many state-owned buildings use this renewable resource to meet their energy requirements. Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) in Kerala was the world's first airport to run entirely on solar energy. Similarly, other state airports such as Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Delhi have chosen to use green energy.

Solar energy is the most popular renewable energy source in India because it provides numerous benefits:

Benefits of Solar Energy

1. Reduces strain on coal

During the day, solar energy production is at its peak. This is also the peak period for power demand. The pressure on coal systems can be reduced if we supplement coal-based power with this renewable resource. In this manner, coal reserves can be saved for the night.

2. Improves grid security

Energy generation centres are expanding as small and large-scale solar power plants are built across states. As a result, utility grids are being infused with solar power, which improves grid security. A strong grid also reduces the likelihood of frequent blackouts.

3. Reduces Electricity Bill  

Electricity prices are rising as the supply of power sources becomes more uncertain. Solar can significantly reduce energy costs in this scenario. The initial investment in solar systems can be recovered in as little as 2-3 years.

4. Wider Reach

Many remote areas of India lack access to electricity but receive plenty of sunlight. Solar energy systems with battery backup are a viable solution in such cases.

5. Feasible

Solar systems have become more efficient, dependable, and cost-effective as newer technology has entered the market. As a result, installing solar has become more affordable for consumers across all industries.

Government Policies & Challenges

Many new policies to promote solar energy development have recently emerged in India. Policies such as the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) and Basic Custom Duty aim to develop domestic manufacturing capacity for solar modules by restricting solar module and solar cell imports. Others, such as the Green Energy Open Access Policy, make it simple for commercial and industrial customers to buy renewable energy from sources other than their local power distribution company.A national portal was also established to facilitate the submission of applications and the tracking of subsidy transfers.

However, there are still some major hurdles in reaching the solar target-

• Despite the encouragement, domestic manufacturing capacity for solar components remains limited, and imports have become prohibitively expensive. This has an impact on the cost of solar energy systems.

• There is a need to develop transmission and distribution infrastructure for solar power project power evacuation.

• The availability of clear land for ground-mounted solar systems continues to be an issue. The high cost of land is a major impediment to the establishment of power plants.

• Covid-19 imposed financial constraints on commercial and industrial businesses, limiting their ability to invest in new solar projects.

• Distribution companies' opposition has also been a major impediment. Many states restrict net metering and force their customers to use gross metering, limiting their ability to save money on electricity.

A 'favourable policy environment' is required to boost solar development in India. Furthermore, the Indian government should take steps to create dedicated financing options for solar projects in order to make it easier for businesses to shift their focus to solar energy.

Aside from that, improved implementation of existing renewable policies and solar infrastructure development are required to increase India's solar capacity.

[urbanplants111]

What is Feedstock in Garden waste and what are their characteristics

Setting up the process for biochar from the garden waste designing process starts with the choice of the right feedstock for the process. During this stage, a key characteristic of the feedstock for garden waste are described, such as:

Carbon content: carbon content which represents the amount of carbon available that will be eventually transferred to the biocoal (fixed carbon) or released into syngas by pyrolysis. 

Volatile matter: This volatile matter represents the part of biomass that will be released during the pyrolysis and carbonisation process. 

Fixed carbon: It demonstrates the carbon that will be directly represented in the bio coal produced. 

Ash content: which describes the mineral residue of compost that is expected to be found in solid product. Higher ash contents in raw material (feedstock) will result in the increase of the ash content of bio coal and optimum ash content in feedstock is needed to control the burning process of the biocoal

Calorific value:  that will determine the amount of energy released during the biocoal production and determine the full plant configuration and target business model, often allowing to benefit thanks to the additional heat and power production

Moisture content: higher contents may increase the production cost due to more energy demand to evaporate the water content in the process of biomass conversion in the composting process. Since the moisture content will impact the efficiency and costs of the operation, it is important to maintain relatively less moisture contents at the inlet to the Biogreen bio coal production kiln. Optimum moisture content for the production between 5% to 15%. 

Mastering the production: Quality biochar production from garden waste and garden compost is related to both, adequate feedstock characteristics as well as the precise operating temperature control.

Including the feedstock all garden waste can be formed by composting process with help of this vertical garden tower it has two parts planter and composter. 

A vertical gardening systems that works in an efficient way in process of planting and composting fertilizer Sadabahar (Our Portable Vertical garden) will works effectively. It helps in fertilizer of each Grab the deal with in budget at Urban plants 

[nexgenenergia1]

CNG Manufacturing Plant | Biogas to Bio CNG Plant-Nexgen Energia

Nexgen Energia is Biogas can be converted into various renewable automobile fuels such as bio-CNG, syngas, gasoline, and liquefied biogas. However, biogas CNG, a compressed biogas with high methane content, can be a promising candidate as vehicle fuel in replacement of conventional fuel to resolve this problem. This paper presents an overview of available liquid and gaseous fuel commonly used as transportation fuel in india. The paper also illustrates the potential of bio-CNG conversion from biogas in india.

[mitcorerbarshi]

Renewable Energy Sources

Indian renewable energy sector is the fourth most attractive renewable energy market in the world. India was ranked fourth in wind power, fifth in solar power and fourth in renewable power installed capacity, as of 2020.

Installed renewable power generation capacity has gained pace over the past few years, posting a CAGR of 17.33% between FY16-20. With the increased support of the Government and improved economics, the sector has become attractive from investors’ perspective. As India looks to meet its energy demand on its own, which is expected to reach 15,820 TWh by 2040, renewable energy is set to play an important role. The government is aiming to achieve 227 GW of renewable energy capacity (including 114 GW of solar capacity addition and 67 GW of wind power capacity) by 2022, more than its 175 GW target as per the Paris Agreement. The government plans to establish a renewable energy capacity of 523 GW (including 73 GW from Hydro) by 2030.

Market Size

As of July 2021, India had 96.96 GW of renewable energy capacity representing 25.2% of the overall installed power capacity, providing a great opportunity for the expansion of green data centers.

The country is targeting about 450 Gigawatt (GW) of installed renewable energy capacity by 2030 – about 280 GW (over 60%) is expected from solar.      

Installed renewable power-generation capacity has increased at a fast pace over the past few years, posting a CAGR of 15.51% between FY16 and FY21. India had 94.4 GW of renewable energy capacity in FY21.

In July 2021, installed capacity of hydro projects in India reached 46.3 GW, while capacity of small hydro plants reached 4.8 GW.

By December 2019, 15,100 megawatts (MW) of wind power projects were issued, of which, projects of 12,162.50 MW capacity have already been awarded. Power generation from renewable energy sources in India reached 127.01 billion units (BU) in FY20.

With a potential capacity of 363 GW and with policies focused on the renewable energy sector, Northern India is expected to become the hub for renewable energy in India.

Road Ahead

The Government is committed to increased use of clean energy sources and is already undertaking various large-scale sustainable power projects and promoting green energy heavily. In addition, renewable energy has the potential to create many employment opportunities at all levels, especially in rural areas. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has set an ambitious target to set up renewable energy capacities to the tune of 227 GW by 2022, of which about 114 GW is planned for solar, 67 GW for wind and other for hydro and bio. India’s renewable energy sector is expected to attract investment worth US$ 80 billion in the next four years. About 5,000 Compressed Biogas plants will be set up across India by 2023.

It is expected that by 2040, around 49% of the total electricity will be generated by renewable energy as more efficient batteries will be used to store electricity, which will further cut the solar energy cost by 66% as compared to the current cost. Use of renewables in place of coal will save India’s Rs. 54,000 crore (US$ 8.43 billion) annually. Renewable energy will account for 55% of the total installed power capacity by 2030.

As per the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) estimates, by 2029-30, the share of renewable energy generation would increase from 18% to 44%, while that of thermal power is expected to reduce from 78% to 52%.

According to the year-end review (2020) by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, another 49.59 GW of renewable energy capacity is under installation and an additional 27.41 GW of capacity has been tendered. This puts the total capacity of renewable energy projects (already commissioned or in the pipeline) at 167 GW.

The Government of India wants to develop a ‘green city’ in every state of the country, powered by renewable energy. The ‘green city’ will mainstream environment-friendly power through solar rooftop systems on all its houses, solar parks on the city’s outskirts, and electric mobility-enabled public transport systems.

Want to know more about MIT College of Railway Engineering and Research Barshi, MH. 

Apply now @ https://bit.ly/2K2tT00 

#MITCORER #MITCORERBarshi #TransformIndia #MIT #BTech #RailwayEngineering #railways

[esgagile]

Innovative Products to Lower Carbon Emissions

We are Carbon footprint consultant in Agile Advisors, "Carbon reduction" will become a required duty in the construction industry's future. Various approaches to producing new materials include 3D printing, recycling, low-carbon substitutes, and performance increases. In addition to being more ecologically friendly and opening up new construction techniques, new materials will also impact the direction and starting point of design concepts, leading to new structures with novel spaces and perspectives. Low-carbon building materials are not just a strategy, but the mainstay of the building materials sector's efforts to curb carbon emissions at the source. These materials, most of which are bio-based, utilize renewable biomass or raw materials from bio-manufacturing. The exterior of the building features two different textures: a laminated surface created using laminated printing and a carefully planned woven pattern texture on the sidewall in front of the door that gives visitors a delicate impression.

Agile Advisors provide Carbon footprint consultant In UAE, they represent a novel class of materials produced through chemical, physical, and biological processes, such as dried luffa fibres, corn stalks, mycelium, microalgae, and more. By reusing agricultural waste, mitigating subsidence, absorbing CO2, and minimizing plastic waste, they are shifting the industry's reliance from fossil to biological or planted resources, thereby significantly reducing carbon emissions. The Alive Pavilion, an entry by The Living Studio to the 2021 Venice Biennale, is a testament to the possibilities of multi-species architecture and the effective utilization of microorganisms. The Pavilion is constructed from the dried fibres of luffa, a low-cost, fast-growing vegetable that thrives in tropical and subtropical regions. These fibres, with their unique surface, create a robust, organic material that can support a variety of microorganisms. The fibre concrete the team developed—which omits formwork and steel bars—was used for cabin printing.

As a Carbon footprint consultant, Hard-to-degrade plastics, construction trash from urban renewal cycles, ceramic waste from ceramic production, etc. Both ceramic and clay tiles are mostly made of clay. Over 10 million tons of ceramics are thrown away annually in China; these solid wastes not only utilize a lot of energy and land resources, such as coal, but they also have high carbon emissions that are above regulations and seriously affect the environment. Ceramic waste disposal has grown to be an issue. A unique example of a recycled construction material made from ceramic waste, the Recycled Tree at Design China Beijing showcases design concepts for addressing China's severe waste material management issue. It was developed in partnership with Italian architect Aldo Cibic.

Being a Carbon footprint consultant In Dubai, the recycled ceramic tiles were gathered, examined, ground into a powder, combined, and subjected to laboratory testing. Materials like wood were eventually supplanted by steel and cement due to their inferior performance; however, the traditional materials are still being revived by modern techniques to enhance their performance. 3D printing technology has broadened design options and altered how architecture is conceptualized. Investigating materials for 3D printing has produced architectural environments with a range of sensations and structures. Furthermore, labour and material costs associated with 3D printing help lower carbon emissions. Two sets of robotic arm printing systems are used to print the cabin: one prints the main structure and building foundation in place, while the other prints the arc wall and dome top in situ.

[annieboltonworld]

Juniper Publishers- Open Access Journal of Environmental Sciences & Natural Resources

An Over View of Organic Farming in Indian Agricultural System

Authored by N Tensingh Baliah

Abstract

Now-a-days, organic farming practices are gaining importance as farmers have realized the benefits of organic farming in terms of soil fertility, soil health and sustainable productivity. Farmers are well aware with the use of organic liquid manures in organic farming. These organic manures play a key role in promoting growth and providing immunity to plant system. The principle of organic cultivation is attracting the farmers' world over due to its various advantages over modern agricultural practices. Essentially, it is a farming system which supports and strengthens biological processes without recourse to inorganic remedies such as chemicals or genetically modified organisms. Furthermost, the organic agriculture is more productive and highly sustainable one.

Keywords: Modern Agriculture; Organic Farming; Organic Manures and Crop Response

Introduction

Green Revolution (GR) technologies are known to have enhanced agricultural production and productivity. The technologies greatly helped to address the food security of India, farmers using these technologies have to depend upon the purchased inputs. The small farmers, who by cash flow definition are short of cash, are therefore found to lag behind large farmers in the adoption of technologies. The manufactures of fertilizers and pesticides, the two major inputs of GR technologies, need fossil fuels and/or expensive energy, and are associated with serious environmental and health problems [1]. Modern agricultural farming practices, along with irrational use of chemical inputs over the past four decades have resulted in not only loss of natural habitat balance and soil health but have also caused many hazards like soil erosion, decreased groundwater level, soil salinization, pollution due to fertilizers and pesticides, genetic erosion, ill effects on environment, reduced food quality and increased the cost of cultivation, rendering the farmer poorer year by year [2].

In India, cropping system involves the usage of inorganic and organic fertilizers to improve soil health and soil fertility. However, the mismanagement and excessive use of inorganic fertilizers creates problems in soil fertility and the environment. Hence, a widespread need has arisen to go in for organic farming and cultivation. The efficiency of sole organic inputs in nutrient management was studied through the use of different types of organic manures. Organic farming is a productive system, which reduces or avoids entirely the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, growth regulators and other agricultural chemicals. The system relies on crop rotation, organic manure and biofertilizers for nutrient supply, biopesticides and biocontrol for pest and disease control and innovative crop husbandry practices for maintaining soil productivity.

Organic Farming

Organic farming is an approach to producing food products that is intended to overcome the negative impacts of the Green Revolution on soil, air, water, landscape, and humans worldwide. Organic farming methods are continuously being developed by farmers, scientists and concerned people all over the world. A central element of the organic farming approach is the efficient use of on-farm and local resources such as farmyard manure, indirect crop protection and local seeds. It pursues a course of promoting the powers of self-regulation and resistance which plants and animals possess naturally [3].

Organic farming is not based exclusively on short term economics, but also considers ecological concepts. It utilizes appropriate technology and appropriate traditional farming methods. This form of farming can also be called sustainable form of farming or sustainable agriculture. The principles of this method are: organize the production of crops and livestock and the management of farm resources so that they harmonize rather than conflict with natural system; use and develop appropriate technologies based upon an understanding of biological systems; achieve and maintain soil fertility for optimum production by relying primarily on renewable resources; use diversification to pursue optimum production use for optimum nutritional value of staple food; use decentralized structures for processing, distributing and marketing of products; strive for equitable relationship between those who work and live on the land and maintain and preserve wildlife and their habitats [4,5].

Nature Of Organic Manures/Fertilizers

Compost is one of the less concentrated organic manures, but it is extremely valuable in adding extra body to soils especially the sandy ones. Compost can also help to lighten heavy clay soils. The application of organic manure helps in increasing the organic matter content of the soil, in maintaining soil natural productivity [6]. According to the application of organic manures not only produced the highest and sustainable crop yield, but also improved the soil fertility and productivity of land [7]. A combination of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients might be helpful to obtain a good economic return with good soil health for the subsequent crop yield [8,9]. Bulky organic manures contain small percentage of nutrients and they are applied in large quantities. Farmyard manure (FYM), compost and green manure are the most important and widely used bulky organic manures. Use of bulky organic manures have several advantages: they supply plant nutrients including micronutrients; improve soil physical properties like structure, water holding capacity; increase the availability of nutrients; plant parasitic nematodes and fungi are controlled to some extent by altering the balance of microorganisms in the soil.

The bulk density, total porosity and aggregate stability of surface soil improve by the hugger organic matter levels of the organic farming soil. It is an excellent organic fertilizer is concentrated source of nitrogen and other essential nutrients. It has direct effect on plant growth. It has high K and C:N ratio values and wood ash had high K and C:N ratio [10]. Earthworms can serve as tools to facilitate several functions. They serve as "nature's plowman" and form nature's gift to produce good humans, which is the most precious material to fulfill the nutritional needs of crops. The utilization of vermicompost results in several benefits to farmers, industries, environment and overall national economy They are finely-divided mature peat-like materials with a high porosity, aeration, drainage and water-holding capacity and microbial activity which are stabilized by interactions between earthworms and microorganisms in a non-thermophilic process. Vermicompost treated soils have lower pH and increased levels of organic matter, primary nutrients and soluble salts.

Vermi compost is rich in N, P, K, Ca, Mg and vermicompost when used improve the water holding capacity. Supplementing N through inorganic sources, thus play a vital role in increasing the yield of the crop [11]. Neem cake consists of neem seed along with natural nutrients which is required for the growth of plants. Every part of tree i.e. leaves, flowers, fruits, bark, seed are utilized as a pesticides, insecticides, medicine, diabetic food, mosquito repellant. It is potentially one of most valuable and least exploited of all tropical trees. It has adequate quantity of NPK in organic form for plant growth. Being totally botanical product it contains 100% natural NPK content and other essential micro nutrients [12,13]. Wood ash is a residual material produced during the conversion of biomass to electrical energy by wood-burning power plants.

It is obtained from the combustion of wood. It can be related to fly ash since fly ash is obtained from coal, which is a fossilized wood An estimated 1.5 to 3.0 million dry tons of It is generated annually in the United States with 90% of the ash being land filled. Land spreading is an alternative disposal method which is 33%- 66% less costly than land filling due to the drastic rise of prices for commercial fertilizers, the search for alternative fertilizer resources becomes increasingly important [14]. The reutilization of residues from bio energy processes for plant nutrition is an important factor to save fertilizers and to realize nutrient cycling in agriculture [15]. The ashes remaining from combustion of biomass are the oldest man-produced mineral fertilizers in the world. They contain nearly all nutrients except of nitrogen (N) and can help to improve plant nutrition regarding phosphorus (P), the fertilizer effect of biomass ashes and the solubility of P in ashes are evaluated differently.

Crop Response to Organic Manures

Vermi compost: Vermi compost was found to be richer on P, K, Ca and Mg and enrichment of trace elements like Fe, Cu, and Mn. The application of vermicompost to plant resulted in increased root length and shoots length and plant biomass. The application of nitrogen through urea and vermicompost significantly increased the nitrogen and protein content in okra fruit over control. The number of fruits per plant, fruit length and fruit yield increased significantly due to application of 100 % N (90 kg/ ha) through urea and vermicompost over control. Vermicompost has been used in flowering plants like balsam, zinnia, celosia and marigold; Vegetable crops like tomato, carrot, and brinjal and fruit crops such as grape and banana [16,17]. Earthworm casts promote root initiation and root biomass and increase root percentage. Earthworm casts have hormone- like effect, influencing the development and precociousness of plants. Vermicomposted larval litter significantly increased the length and weight of shoot and root, shoot: root ratio and N, P, K uptake. Application of recommended doses of NPK fertilizers, earthworm and cow dung has much significantly increased the chlorophyll and protein contents of mulberry leaves. Rice grown on worm casts produced higher shoot fresh weight and dry weight and showed higher nutrient uptake, lower fertilizer response than rice grown on surface soils [18].

The application of vermin compost had a significant effect on root and fruit weight of tomatoes. In 100 % vermicompost treatment, fruit, shoot, and root weights were three, five, and nine times, respectively more than control. Where vermicompost was applied at 5 t/ ha or at 10 t/ ha, increased shoot weight and leaf area of pepper plants (Capsicum annuum L) compared to inorganic fertilizers [19]. The application of vermicompost 3 t/ h to chickpea improved dry matter accumulation, grain yield, and grain protein content in chickpea, soil nitrogen and phosphorus and bacterial count, dry fodder yield of succeeding maize (Zea mays L) and total nitrogen and phosphorus uptake by the ropping system over vermicompost [20] and increased the vegetative growth and yield of Hibiscus esculentus [21].

Farmyard Manure (FYM): Farm yard manure is an important source of plant nutrients. It is composed of dung, urine of bedding and straws. Application of FYM at 10 t/ha and poultry manure at 5 t/ha significantly increased number of branches per plant, leaf area index and dry weight per plant. The fresh and dry weight per plant was higher in the vermicompost and FYM treated tomato. The highest protein content in okra fruit was recorded with application of N (90 kg/ ha) through FYM, vermicompost, poultry manure and urea over control [22,23]. The application of 100 per cent RDF and FYM at 20 t/ ha significantly increased growth attributes viz. plant height at harvest, number of branches per plant, leaf area and chlorophyll content in okra [24].

The effect of organic manures on yield characters was significantly superior over inorganic fertilizer in brinjal. The maximum fruit yield was obtained with the treatment of FYM + vermicompost. The total potato (Solanum tuberosum L) tubers yield was significantly higher with the application ofvermicompost and FYM [25]. The results indicated that the farmyard manure and higher doses of potassium proved best to increase the yield of potatoes. Organic manures such as cow dung, poultry manure and crop residues were used as alternatives for the inorganic fertilizers but no conclusive results were obtained to ascertain which among these organic sources of nutrition gave a higher yield of tomato [26,27]. Application of farm yard manure, which contained both mineral and organic N, was used to improve soil fertility and rice yield [28]. A good response of potatoes was observed in shape of increased yield with the application of potash fertilizers alone and even better with combined application of FYM. Response of potato was very clearly observed with increased levels of potassium supply along with organic manures [29,30]. The plant height, number of branches, leaf area, and total dry matter production in various plant parts of chilli recorded significantly higher values with combined application of NPK + FYM as compared to NPK alone [31].

Neem Cake: Neem cake is rich in plant nutrients and in addition to that it contains alkaloids like Nimbin and Nimbidin, which have nitification inhibiting properties and release N slowly. The improved yield is due to neem cake application in brinjal. It is gaining popularity because it is environmental friendly and also the compounds found in it help to increase the nitrogen and phosphorous content in the soil. It is rich in sulphur, potassium, calcium, nitrogen, etc [32]. It is used to manufacture high quality organic or natural manure, which does not have any aftermaths on plants, soil and other living organisms. The application of 25% nitrogen through neem cake and 75% through poultry manure was found superior in the enhancement of the growth, yield and quality parameters of bitter gourd. The application of nutrients like neem cake, different nitrogen levels, and biofertilizers has a significant and vital effect on yield and quality attributes of chilli [33] and asserts the highest dry weight of root, dry weight of rhizome per plant and total dry matter yield from neem cake applied at 2.0 t/ha in turmeric [34].

Wood Ash: Wood ash increases soil pH and thus enhances the growth of neutrophilic microorganisms [35]. The higher pH increases the fraction of DOC which is the main resource for microbial growth [36]. Sludges are efficient N fertilizers, and thus the combination with wood ash should have increased plant growth as has been shown for corn [37] for poultry litter ash. An increase of extractable soil P after application of alfalfa stems ash. The positive effects of ashes on soil texture, aeration, water holding capacity and cation exchange capacity [38]. The application of ash promotes plant growth only if there is no N limitation. The high content of Ca, K and Mg in wood ash results in an immediate neutralization acid soils upon application. The ability of ashes to increase soil pH by oxides, hydroxides and carbonates of K, Mg and Ca is an advantage for the treatment of acidic soils [39].

It was found that increased in pod yield of okra with application of wood ash up to 8 t/ha. The burning of Sesbenia wood and incorporation of the ash into soil increased grain yield of maize markedly, while the application of ash young maize plants had significantly increased the yield of maize [40,41]. The yield of vegetable crops and nutrient content were improved by wood ash [42] and reduced acidity and increased cation availability in soils amended with wood ash [43]. There was great potential of reducing fertilizer and lime bills in maize production of an acidic soil by replacing it with application of wood-ash, since it helps to increase soil pH, available cations and yield.

Conclusion

Organic farming system in India is not new and is being followed from ancient time. It is a method of farming system which primarily aimed at cultivating the land and raising crops in such a way, as to keep the soil alive and in good health by use of organic wastes (crop, animal and farm wastes, aquatic wastes) and other biological materials along with beneficial microbes (biofertilizers) to release nutrients to crops for increased sustainable production in an eco friendly pollution free environment. With the increase in population our compulsion would be not only to stabilize agricultural production but to increase it further in sustainable manner. The scientists have realized that the 'Green Revolution' with high input use has reached a plateau and is now sustained with diminishing return of falling dividends. Thus, a natural balance needs to be maintained at all cost for existence of life and property. The obvious choice for that would be more relevant in the present era, when these agrochemicals which are produced from fossil fuel and are not renewable and are diminishing in availability. It may also cost heavily on our foreign exchange in future.

For more articles in Open Access Journal of Environmental Sciences & Natural Resources please click on: https://juniperpublishers.com/ijesnr/index.php

[wisdomrays]

TAFAKKUR: Part 211

The Sun: The Source We Cannot Utilize

The sun gives out about 1.17x1031 kJ (kilojoule) energy every year. Only one and half trillionth of this energy reaches the Earth, 150 million kilometers away from the sun. 30% of that energy, in the form of short-wavelength radiation, is reverberated back to the space from the atmosphere and the earth crust, while the rest of that energy is absorbed and transformed into heat. The half of this energy plays a role in the hydrological cycle (evaporation of water and its turning into precipitation). For instance, in order to raise the heat of 1 gram water by 1°C on the earth, there is a need for 4.2 joule (1 cal) energy. Accordingly, every year 496,000 km3 water needs to circulate so that life can be maintained on this complex planet. The other half of the absorbed energy is used in meteorological events and in maintaining the average earth temperature at 15 °C. The great energy that emerges from the condensation of the evaporated water in the cold and higher parts of the atmosphere may lead to storms and tornadoes.

Only 0.15 % of the energy that reaches the earth is used by the plants and the algae as a source of energy for photosynthesis. The energy that is stored in the form of chemical energy within the photosynthetic plants establishes the source of energy for the food that is consumed by the creation. The past creation, as a result of the physical-chemical processes, was fossilized and solar power has been stored in the form of fossil fuels (oil, coal, natural gas).

Energy consumption and the environment

Energy consumption is viable for every form of work; the waste is what remains in the environment. This waste does not pose a problem as long as they do not damage the sensitive ecologic balance. However, rapid industrialization and urbanization, which lead to excessive amounts of energy consumption, result in environmental problems. Since industrialization-urbanization is directly related to energy consumption – particularly with fossil fuels – industrialized countries are more vulnerable to experiencing environmental problems. In today’s world, it is climatic change – a product of global warming – among these problems that is of the greatest global importance.

The increase in the proportion of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, in the atmosphere is the main factor for global warming. This increase is directly related to the consumption of fossil fuels. The rays of the sun, which are reflected from the earth, are trapped by carbon dioxide gases (chlorofluorocarbon, nitrous oxide and other greenhouse gases, such as water vapor) in the atmosphere, and they can not return to space. This, in turn leads to the atmosphere heating up (the greenhouse effect), eventually leading to an increase in heat throughout the world.

The main reason for the increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is the consumption of fossil fuels (77%) and the decrease in the number of forests (23%). Coal gas is normally the last product of the anaerobic processes in nature. In recent years human intervention played the main role in this abnormal increase in gases. Playing an important part in this process is the expansion in rice fields (38%) in order to feed the increasing population, natural gas extraction and its transfer (16%), an increase in the number of cattle (14%), coal mining (12%), and the oxidation of produced biomass (6%). Chlorofluorocarbon is included in industrial products. As for the nitrous oxides, they are the by-products of reactions in the nitrogen cycle in nature. In recent years, as a result of the increase in the use of the nitrogenous manures (85%), forest fires and other fires (11%), and the oxidation of the produced biomass (7%) there has been a rise in nitrous oxide. Consequently, the rapid increase in greenhouse gases in the last years has lead to a 0.5°C increase in the average heat of the earth.

If the greenhouse gases continue to be accumulated at this speed, then by 2100 the average heat of the earth will record an increase of 2–4°C compared to the period before industrialization. Eventually, there will be a greater melting of the glaciers at the poles, which will lead to 0.5–1.5 % increase in sea level. Thus, residential areas by the seaside, agricultural areas, wetlands and industrialized areas will face the danger of being flooded. Moreover, the risks of climatic changes and desertification will become much more severe.

Some countries are investigating how to calculate the probable effects of a decline in water, food and energy resources and what precautions need to be taken accordingly as a result of global warming. In this sense, the problem was clearly indicated during the summit meetings in Vienna (1985), Rio (1982), and Kyoto (1997), however, they have not been sufficient to provide a solution.

Another important problem arising from the overuse of fossil fuels is the damage to the environment caused by air pollution and acid rain. During the consumption of fossil fuels, CO2, NOx, and SOx are emitted into the atmosphere and these, combining with water vapor, lead to the formation of carbonic acid (H2CO3), nitric acid (HNO3) and sulfuric acid (H2SO4). While normally the pH of rain water is 5.5–6, with these acids it falls down to 3.5–4. This and the resultant dissolution of the metals in the water pose a threat for both the land and the aquatic ecosystems (e.g. a decline in fish species in many lakes) and impair the ecologic balance.

The impact of alternative and renewable energy on the environment

The negative impact of fossil fuels on the environment and the decline in their reserves has accelerated the search for new energy resources. Even though nuclear energy is not a renewable resource, today it has come to be regarded as an alternative energy resource all around the world. Hydrogen, too, is another growing alternative resource. Geothermal energy is also a renewable energy resource, yet it is mostly restricted to the region where it originates.

With current technology, it costs us more to use solar energy rather than to extract fossil fuels. Moreover, there is a great need for the development of new technology that is aimed at producing wind, hydroelectric, bio-energy, tidal and wave energy in the most efficient way at the lowest cost.

Defeated by their ambitions, human beings, particularly in the last century, have destroyed the world and the environment that has been entrusted to them. Since the global impact and the cost of this process only emerged recently, it was too late before human beings realized that they needed to shift from energy systems based on fossil fuels. All the worries and concerns that have surfaced today is not because we have finally realized that the earth has been entrusted to human beings, but simply because the future seems to be promising nothing but destruction. Thus, the real solution to the problems is not related to acting to find a solution to the problems, but rather in being in compliance with the measures of the actual Owner of the world and the universe and avoiding form all types of extremism.

[snailfloss]

OKAY so one of my partner’s best friends is a nuclear physicist and this poor guy had to travel to DC over Halloween to give a talk

on these ceramic healing quantum pendants being sold as cure-alls

X

“Quantum Scalar Energy Pendant is made from natural minerals that are fused and structurally bonded together at a molecular level.” okay isn’t that just how all of everything with molecules WORKS, my 2¢ bic pen is sTRUcturalLY bONDed oN a moLECular LEvel

also those ‘natural minerals’ turn out to be sand with thorium and uranium impurities. like, there’s some guy in the amazon comments going ‘these pendants can’t be radioactive because it would be Extremely Costly to render materials radioactive’.

no. numbskull. radiation is not wizard magic you have to summon with machines that cost as much as houses. you can dig radioactive minerals out of the ground. my basement has a radon mitigation system. coal plants shit radioactive ash for the low low price of ‘clean energy would cut into our profit margins’

(from the expert)

so basically, there is no evidence that wearing $12 ceramic pendants from India will give you super strength

or ‘enhance the body’s bio field’ with ‘scalar energy’

they will not ‘facilitate cell permeability’ (also, that’s not a GOOD thing, you want your cell juice on the inside and other stuff on the outside. your cells are generally exactly as permeable as you need them to be to not goosh like a punctured jello cup)

and they won’t ‘enable your body to absorb negative ions’ to ‘neutralize the negative effects of electromagnetic radiation’, because all of that is utter gibberish

but they will give you a dose of bog-standard radiation, worrisome enough that this poor guy had to explain to a room of tired men in suits why this exists, and how many rads people are probably getting off these pendants

in conclusion, wearing one of these pendants for a little while is probably fine but it’s still worth investigating, and there are certainly worse things. like this: 

[sciencenewsforstudents]

Lobster bisque and shrimp cocktail make for scrumptious meals, but at a price. The food industry generates 6 million to 8 million metric tons of crab, shrimp and lobster shell waste every year. Depending on the country, those claws and legs largely get dumped back into the ocean or into landfills.

In many of those same landfills, plastic trash relentlessly accumulates. Humans have produced over 8 billion tons of plastic since mass production began in the 1950s. Only 10 percent of plastic packaging gets recycled successfully. Most of the rest sits in landfills for a very long time (a plastic bottle takes about 450 years to break down), or escapes into the environment, perhaps sickening seabirds that swallow tiny pieces or gathering in the Pacific Ocean’s floating garbage patch (SN Online: 3/22/18).

Some scientists think it’s possible to tackle the two problems at once. Crustaceans’ hardy shells contain chitin, a material that, along with its derivative chitosan, offers many of plastic’s desirable properties and takes only weeks or months to biodegrade, rather than centuries.

The challenge is getting enough pure chitin and chitosan from the shells to make bio-based “plastic” in cost-effective ways. “There’s no blueprint or operating manual for what we’re doing,” says John Keyes, CEO of Mari Signum, a start-up company based just outside of Richmond, Va., that is devising ways to make environmentally friendly chitin. But a flurry of advances in green chemistry is providing some guideposts.

Nature’s scaffold

Chitin is one of the most abundant organic materials in the world, after cellulose, which gives woody plants their structure. In addition to crustaceans, chitin is found in insects, fish scales, mollusks and fungi. Like plastic, chitin is a polymer, a molecular chain made from repeating units. The building block in chitin, N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, is a sugar related to glucose. Chitin and chitosan are antibacterial, nontoxic and used in cosmetics, wound dressings and pool-water treatments, among other applications.

This 2-inch square of compostable chitin foam could be used to make surfboards or biodegradable food packaging. CREDIT: CRUZ FOAM

Entrepreneurs are trying to launch new chitin products. Cruz Foam, a company in Santa Cruz, Calif., set out to produce surfboards from chitin, though the company has since pivoted to focus on the much larger market of packaging foam. Polystyrene foam, a common component in both surfboards and food packaging, takes a minimum of 500 years to biodegrade. Company cofounder Marco Rolandi is convinced that his Cruz Foam will biodegrade readily, based on his at-home test. “I put Cruz Foam in my backyard compost and a month later there were worms growing on it,” he says. Eco-friendly surfboards and wound dressings are valuable, but they are niche products — small potatoes that won’t make a dent in the massive amounts of fossil fuel–based plastics. Scientists have proposed large-scale production of chitin or chitosan in the past. But the chemistry for isolating the materials from shell waste has some big drawbacks, so the work didn’t get far.

Making use of seafood shell waste starts with drying the shells. CREDIT: MARI SIGNUM

For one thing, pulling out the chitin traditionally requires corrosive chemicals. A crustacean shell contains 15 to 40 percent chitin. To get to the chitin requires removing the protein along with the minerals, largely calcium carbonate, that make the shells stiff. Hydrochloric acid, a strong acid, removes calcium carbonate while generating carbon dioxide emissions; sodium hydroxide, or lye, is a strong base that removes the protein. Producing a single kilogram of chitin requires 10 kilograms of shells, six kilograms of coal for heating purposes, nine kilograms of hydrochloric acid, eight kilograms of sodium hydroxide and 330 kilograms of freshwater. Washing the chitin to remove residual contaminants can use up to an additional 200 kilograms of water.

Getting the chitosan requires an extra step: adding hot, concentrated sodium hydroxide solution to the chitin. To do this work in a sustainable way, companies must invest in pricey corrosion-resistant reactors, wastewater treatment and carbon dioxide capture technology.

The harsh reactions used today also sever the long polymer chains that make the materials sturdy, limiting chitin’s and chitosan’s versatility. Mari Signum’s chief technology officer, Julia Shamshina, offers a clothing analogy: It’s impossible to make a sweater with a ball of yarn made only of short threads.

Dried seafood waste is put through several chemical steps to extract the chitin. One extra step gets to the derivative, chitosan (shown), which is also being tested as a plastic replacement. CREDIT: COURTESY OF MICHAEL HOFER/FRAUNHOFER INST.

Approaches that reduce or eliminate corrosive reagents, recycle water and keep the polymers strong are in demand, says Pierre-Olivier Morisset of Merinov, a research center in Gaspé, Canada, that helps marine-product companies manage waste and commercialize innovations. “We’re looking for technologies that can produce hundreds of kilograms” of chitin or chitosan with long polymer chains, Morisset says. But developing greener methods is not easy.

Seafood suppliers face economic drawbacks as well. Today, U.S. producers pay landfills to take their shells. But those who want to keep the waste out of the landfill and support chitin production must still pay to dry the shells and transport them to often faraway extraction facilities, like Mari Signum. For its part, Mari Signum is changing the equation by paying the transportation bills for its Gulf Coast suppliers. Once Mari Signum is profitable, the company says it will also pay those suppliers for their shells.

When Keyes was a pro bono consultant for an aquaculture business a few years ago, he faced that same food waste decision. The company planned to haul its shells to regional landfills, Keyes says, “until we … tracked down Robin Rogers.”

[j-shute]

If you care about the environment, back Warren. Not Sanders.

I’m not an American, I’m a Brit. But what I’m about to say here is valid across all countries. It’s not your fault if what I’m about to say comes as a surprise to you, the main stream media have collectively failed to challenge and inform you about it. 

A while back, Bernie Sanders posted this:

This is entirely accurate. Climate change is a major issue, and we need a competent strategy to deal with it.

Bernie also posted this:

This is disingenuous. Yes, we need to transform our energy systems, but there are many ways to do that. Some fall more to the ‘pragmatic’ side, similar to the UK’s stance (use gas to end coal, while building nuclear and offshore wind). Others are on the ‘purist’ side, such as Germany (No more fossil fuel capacity, phase out nuclear, wind and solar). 

Bernie is a purist, and that’s bad.

This is the Vermont Yankee power station:

Built in the 1970′s, it produced 70% of Vermont’s (Bernie’s home state) electricity. It received an extension to run into the 2030′s but was shut down in 2014 due to being undercut by cheap gas power. 

The US reactor fleet has a 100GW capacity, and produces 20% of the countries power. It is their largest source of carbon free power. By extending the plant licenses, a common and highly regulated practice, most of them could run safely into the 2030′s, 2040′s and, in some cases, 2050′s.

Many older reactors though suffer from a financial double whammy. On one side is cheap natural gas electricity, on the other is subsidised renewables. Providing financial assistance to keep these plants open is one of the cheapest ways of stopping more emissions.

Bernie Sanders opposes any license extensions, any financial help, and any new nuclear new build.

This is a NuScale SMR

It is a mass producible small reactor that is passively safe. It CAN’T melt down. It’ll be cheap, easy to build, and has been privately financed by a set of US companies. It is one year away from passing through the US licensing requirements, with the first plant planned for operation in 2026-2027. 

Under Bernie Sanders plans, a decade of work and investment, and a potential critical tool in the fight against climate change, will be dealt a hammer blow.

But that’s not the only problem with Bernie: 

The US shale revolution dealt a hammer blow to coal, allowing the country to meet the Kyoto protocol targets without even trying. Not only is it a vital transition fuel (until the last coal plant is shut down), but it’s got a strong future in a carbon neutral world.

This is a prototype Carbon Capture power plant

Like the Nuscale SMR’s, it’s a project that’s been ticking along in the background, pushed on by private backers. It uses the Allam Cycle, named after it’s inventor, to produce electricity at the same efficiency as current gas stations, alongside pipeline ready pure CO2. 

I repeat, it’s carbon capture and storage at the same price as current electricity. This is a monster of a game changer, with the first commercial plants planned for 2022-2024.

Bernie Sanders, though, is opposed to CCS in all forms. Like nuclear, he calls it a false solution.

But couldn’t we run on renewables regardless?

Even if you feel concerned at a climate activist throwing away some of our best tools, you might feel that their drive towards the solution more than makes up for it. After all, you can run the country on wind and solar, can’t you?

Well, you can. But it’s nigh on impossible to do so.

Despite what climate activists tell you, the wind isn’t always blowing everywhere:

Above is a graph showing the change in wind production from season to season. Below is a closer look at how wind production across Europe (I couldn’t find one for the USA) can nosedive at the same time. Madrid is as far away from Helsinki as New York is from Los Angeles. Even across a continent, the wind isn’t always blowing everywhere.

Solar, meanwhile, varies everywhere according to the seasons. In northern latitudes such as the UK, a solar panel might produce ten times more power in the summer as in the winter. Even in California, solar in the summer can produce 1.5-2X what it does in the winter.

Which, in southern desert states, is good. They need little heating in the winter, and aircon in the summer. Big desert solar arrays at low latitudes are a good source of energy. Less efficient, inherently badly optimised and far more expensive rooftop solar further north (where you need lots of winter heating) are about as useful as Mao’s backyard furnaces were at making steel.

But what about batteries?

I’m sure many people will now talk about storing power. However, the idea that we can economically do this (similar to the idea that the wind is always blowing) is probably one of the most successful bits of fake news ever spun. Let me illustrate.

This is Vogtle units 3 and 4:

With a project cost of $17 billion, renewable energy enthusiasts like to paint it as a perfect example of the failures of modern nuclear.

This is Tesla’s Big battery:

Costing $50 million USD, Renewable enthusiasts like to paint it as a triumph of renewables.

The big battery stores 129mwh of electricity, which equates to $387 per kwh of storage. Or, $0.387 billion per Gwh. For $17 billion, you get 44 Gwh of storage.

Vogtle will produce that same amount of energy in just over 18 hours.

Even if you use the most expensive, finance inclusive, cost for Vogtle, it will still fill the equivalent storage potential in 29 hours.

To run a fully intermittent grid, we’d need days if not weeks of storage. Or, we could spend a fraction of that money on nuclear power, and be done.

But what about pumped Hydro?

Again, let’s use a sense of scale to explain how much you’d need. Something big, like this:

Lake Erie and Ontario are separated in elevation by 99m. Assuming you use dams and locks to turn them into a giant upper and lower reservoir, how much energy could you store?

By draining 1m of water from the smaller Ontario, and pumping it into Erie, you could store 4,600GWH of electricity.

The US uses around 2,740 per day on average. So you’d have a viable short-term store for the entire country. It wouldn’t be seasonal storage.

The equivalent storage using batteries would cost over $1.38 trillion. This is enough for 81 Vogtle plants. They would have 194GW of capacity, and produce 4196GWH a day.

Using Nuscale SMR’s at the current quoted price (which could come down if you get a dedicated assembly line going) you could get 328 GW of capacity.

What about seasonal storage?

In countries with winter heating seasons, you need a reliable source of energy or people will freeze and die. Even with Nuclear, you’re at the peak of energy requirements, so it’s uneconomical to build to that point.

Instead, you can use biogas, biomass and waste to energy. Stockpiling your fuel throughout the year, you can burn it when most needed. Even better, in many cases you can convert existing fossil fuel plants.

Credit where credit is due, Bernie Sanders is pro bio-energy (as opposed to some (even purer) greens). At the same time, he is anti-waste to energy.

So what is the point of this?

The point is that we can’t simply add ‘Wind, solar, batteries’ and get an energy system that works. There are serious technological limitations and economic realities. Long term energy storage is incredibly cost prohibitive. The wind doesn’t always blow everywhere. In any case, if we only have a short time to stop emitting carbon, why shoot your biggest contributor of green energy at the same time?

Germany lost a decade due to its closure of its reactors, and still has some of Europe's dirtiest electricity. Had they closed the Lignite plants in North-Rhine Westphalia instead, they’d of cut their emissions while opening up giant pits like the Hambach mine for conversion into pumped storage sites. I’ve done the calculations, they could run the country for half a day on that level of storage.

In contrast, France is the only developed country to turn a dirty grid into a clean grid. They did it decades ago with nuclear, but there are those in power who want to shut reactors down early. They don’t care that they can build out renewables anyway, and export the extra energy or use it for transport. They care more about killing nuclear than saving the planet.

This is why Warren is better than Sanders.

Elizabeth Warren wants a green new deal and medicaid for all, just like Sanders. Unlike him, she’s open to keeping the US nuclear fleet going. She’s open to new reactors and CCS. Both have a plan and a drive, but hers is open to more options and focuses on what the real enemy is. Bernie is a purist. Purism sounds good. But wherever you look, it’s the pragmatists that have always performed better.

I care strongly about the environment and global warming, which is why, if I could, I’d vote for Warren. Because you can’t say that global warming is the biggest threat we face and then throw away our best tools against it.