10+ Regenerative energy methods.

By Phillip Wade ©

 

Disclaimer:

Net zero is an incorrect and meaningless term. Nett zero is correct and has a valid meaning.

What is “Nett Zero”?

Correctly, it should always be expressed as “Nett Zero” to give a good understanding of its intent. And the term should describe the process of

(a) reducing current emissions of CO2 that is needed to generate our energy needs BUT

(b) AT THE SAME TIME, absorb usefully the existing surplus quantity of CO2, in the atmosphere, so preventing CO2 from accumulating and exceeding a calamitous concentration and

(c) reverting it to oxygen and energy using the Calvin cycle of chlorophyll production in plants.

 

• So NETT zero is not just a pile of wind towers and flat-field solar panels that have been erected often in unsuitable locations that are an inconvenience to farmers, an eyesore that destroys the pristine countryside and that destroys farm production, valuable forestry and marine habitat.
• That is a mad system that needs to stop.
• And generating low-emission energy then becomes so much more than that.

Methods

Multiple methods are available to produce low-emission energy and resorb ongoing carbon dioxide build-up. ©

Below are but a few. There are others.

And they should be combined to all do the same thing – feed power into the “grid” in a way that enhances our environment, our wealth and our ability to stand on our own two feet as a nation.

Below is a summary of potential methods of generating energy/economical systems.

 

1. CCSR – Carbon Capture, Storage and Regeneration of oxygen by Phil Wade
2. Re-planting of trees
3. regeneration of fallow or marginal farms
4. Build the Iron Boomerang system
5. Harness Algae growth for cattle feed
6. Introduce nuclear power stations
7. Build more coal-fired power stations with “green coal” (CCSR) method
8. Run rail systems with boost from solar towers
9. Build solar thermal towers in relevantly accessible locations
10. Build offshore current turbines
11. Use wind towers only in non-environmentally sensitive areas that need minimum cabling and with minimum destruction to forests and farms
12. Build solar “farms” vertically and in otherwise non-productive land

Discussion

Positive energy-economic-environmental production

Our global goal all along should be to produce energy in such a way that we achieve both goals of the Paris Accord – they are to reduce “dirty” emissions and to reinstate plant growth.

Secondly we must reduce emissions sensibly and by using systems that optimise plant growth – not destroy that factor. by  e.g. becoming over-reliant on wind and solar  and also attempting to place them in plant growth areas.

Thirdly  we must look after the economies of all nations who participate – including that of Australia

Fourthly, we must be sensible in our approach in Australia and not destroy our own economy in pursuing climate goals, as this would leave us vulnerable to  hostile actors, rob us of our independence and forced to be governed by the will of others.

Finally we must explore and utilise any and all methods that achieve the twin objectives of reducing “dirty” (untreated) emissions and also resorbing existing and future CO2 levels while regenerating oxygen.

#1   Carbon capture storage and regrowth – Wade version* – or creating “Green Coal”

*Wade version is the act of regenerating oxygen from plants that have been deliberately exposed to carbon dioxide that has been harvested from industrial use, using low energy and non-chemical methods, therefore creating “Green Coal” or “Green Gas”.

Summary of #1

• Identify suitable gathering sites of CO2 – power stations and similar
• Identify and measure capacity of exhausted, deep mine systems.
• Prepare mines with plantings of hemp or flaxseeds or other high-absorbency and UV power systems.
• Gather CO2 at source
• Transport to predetermined,  surveyed and exhausted deep mine system.
• Unload the CO2 down the mines.
• Harvest the fully grown hemp, Spek broom or other bushes at optimum growth for processing into useful materials.
• Use char bamboo and other plants to also absorb methane
• Re-plant with return conveyance.

Discussion of #1

a)  Carbon dioxide is heavier than air. It does not need to be “pumped” down mineshafts OR combined with other chemicals. But it can combine with tailings chemicals to create permanent rock. So very little energy required fort this important step. This is called “sequestration”.

b) Plant relevant seeds. Natural subterranean moisture will sustain the process and ultraviolet lamps powered by solar panels will combine with the existing water to grow plants whose seeds can be introduced via a continuous conveyor/pot belt system overseen by robots and humans.

c)  Growing plants will remove the CO2. Others accumulate or “mine” other minerals. This way the secondary benefits of the system will help to pay for the operation as a bonus to obtaining oxygen and removing CO2 from the power stations.

Re-growing plants from the captured CO2 achieves three objectives:

i)  The chlorophyl chemistry absorbs the unloaded CO2 and literally makes way for  more, so  it literally multiplies a given volume of air in any mine repeatedly as crops are continually harvested.

ii)  In the process it generates oxygen as a bonus, with the residual carbon plus water creating     the leaves and body of the plant. The oxygen rises back up through the mine as it is lighter than   CO2. It does not need mechanical help to do this. Methane is lighter than oxygen and also captured.

iii)  Additionally the process produces useful building and clothing materials from the plants as an additional bonus.

iv) When one mine system becomes saturated, the unloading can be moved to another system.

v)  This process can be cycled in each mine system as the CO2 content becomes depleted and ready for “re-charging”.

#2   Re-planting trees

Discussion

Australia has lost nearly 95% of total tree growth.

Since European farming methods and mechanisation have contributed to accelerate this potential, reducing trees’ soil-stabilising benefits and creating massive erosion and loss of soil nutrient across our continent, it is a double benefit to redress this situation in suitable locations.

• More importantly for this discussion trees supply the majority of oxygen on our planet and absorb CO2  – and methane from the air – an essential feature of reducing global warming. That was the original purpose of the so-called “Net Zero” from the Paris accord – that should be correctly expressed as “Nett Zero”.
• So – we really owe it to the rest of the world to do our best to replace these missing trees, given our huge land mass. The trees that we have removed are equivalent to approximately 3 1/2 times the capacity of Borneo (“the lungs of Asia) to give it a useful scale.
• Even England was mostly covered by luxuriant growths of dense forests prior to the Norman invasion. Germany basically lost the Black Forest to development of its WW2 war machine and subsequent industrialisation.
• China similarly owes the world a big tree bill.
• And the South American countries and Indonesian islands like Borneo owe similar “carbon debts”.
• So ALL countries need to replant trees judiciously in order to reduce carbon dioxide from its current level of 429 ppm to the “296” level* at least.
• And also to replace oxygen (O2) – which by definition disappears as fast as CO2 appears.

#3 Regenerate marginal farms

 

Charles Massey’s books explain the technical details involved in creating actual underground dams that allow the farm to “ride out” a drought, and also how to literally re-charge soil quality, thereby improving farm productivity – and all by working with the land and not against it – while harnessing natural processes.

It involves “using” trees to help along the process, creating an overall greater food production that more than compensates for the 20% of land that goes under trees.

The Hon Peta Seton, a former NSW MLA, has also worked this type of “natural remedy” system to regenerate land that was rendered non-viable due to salinisation along the Murray river.

#4 Iron Boomerang

Creates jobs; new technology; boosts national self reliance; Saves energy several different ways. https://www.ewlp.com.au/

This system introduces massive efficiencies in efficient use of coal for steel-making as well as similarly massive efficiencies* in transporting the finished product to either Pacific rim countries or the Indonesian side via massive, energy-efficient trains.

• It returns full loads in otherwise empty ships exporting to Australia.
• It enables steel to be made at mine sites and also coal-producing sites.
• And CCSR can still be practised at these sites, thus rendering the coal “green”.
• Extensive use of rooftop solar panels to help move the diesel-electric trains, reducing the need for diesel.
• A new train design with side tanks of water can grow algae for cattle feed by running the diesel effluent into the tanks.