Sustainable Ethanol Environment

Rather than producing a single product or service our approach to Community Supported Energy (CSE) breaks down the basic elements of human need, food and energy, into related processes that work together to create a highly efficient system, with little to no waste, that is clean, self-sustaining and reproducible. Our permaculture package will consist of the following components; solar thermal, solar PV, organic farming, rainwater harvesting and ethanol production as well as a software package that will tie all components together.

The diagram below displays how the various systems work together. Ultimately this system will be 100% self-sustaining, where all energy for production is derived from renewable resources. Rather than by-products or waste, we will have co-products from each system. Co-products are then used to fuel the next system. Each system ultimately produces either another usable co-product or a usable / saleable item.

This diagram is reproduced here with the permission of David Blume, Alcohol can be a gas!

The ultimate goal is to reproduce this system in many communities so that job creation grows exponentially. As renewable energy costs come down, demand will rise. Other industries would experience job creation as well. Distribution channels would open to meet the rising demand for renewable fuel and with it create further jobs. By developing CSE systems wealth is spread within the community, not funneled to large corporations or sent overseas. This local wealth will help build stronger communities and in turn, offer further job opportunities.

We have begun partnering with local business to collect their bio-waste as feedstock for our Ethanol plant. In return we will help brand their business as being environmentally responsible through our web marketing expertise. This will further promote local commerce and may indirectly lead to even more jobs. On a larger scale we foresee this being implemented at educational centers and local and state government owned properties.

Environmental Benefits
All energy used on the farm will be produced on the farm. This includes the use of Solar PV technology from panels we build ourselves for all of our electrical needs, Solar Thermal, passive solar applications to aid in heating various buildings and of course, Ethanol to run all farm equipment. Much of the water needs will come from Rainwater Harvesting which will help reduce run-off and erosion. Using bio-waste from local businesses for feedstock in our Ethanol plant helps reuse/recycle efforts and keeps this material out of our landfills. Ethanol is a cleaner fuel to burn than gasoline thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Our organic gardening process will use no petroleum based fertilizers. Replenishing soil with nutrients gathered from earthworm casting collected as a co-product of our overall permaculture approach will lead to fertile soil where there was none before.

Why our product is different or better than other similar products on the market
The customer focus for our permaculture product is on individuals or entities that desire to use renewable energy but simply do not know how to make it happen. Our product will provide clear and simple steps as well as the materials necessary for food and fuel generation that are natural, tested and cost effective. There is no shortage of information available to those willing to do the research but the presentation and organization of a comprehensive system is severely lacking.

Other pertinent information
In good permaculture design, the byproducts generated by the production of the primary product can be more valuable than the primary itself. A “waste product” is simply a surplus that does not have a system in place to use it. Our intent is to consider all aspects of a system to maximize its potential, limit or remove its waste and then teach the process to others.