The Rio Report: Mawddach Permaculture Group
2. Energy
- The potential for energy production in this area is tremendous.
- But we are reliant on non-renewable, polluting, expensive, centralised (that
is, imported from other areas) and potentially dangerous energy systems (such
as nuclear power).
- Solutions. Develop renewable energy sources locally at all levels from individual
dwellings through villages to large-scale power for export to other areas.
- Cut down on current energy requirements thus reducing pollution. Retro-fit
existing buildings with energy saving devices. Ensure all new buildings
are energy efficient.
- Develop recycling and re-use strategies as ways of further reducing
energy requirements.
- Encourage individuals and communities to access their immediate resources.
- Water power; many farms and villages produced their own hydro-electricity
in the past and could do so again.
- Wind power; we have had NCAT on our doorstep for over a decade displaying
many types of wind powered generators and yet apart from large scale windfarms,
little has been done at the community level.
- Bio-fuels; fuel forests provide a sustainable form of land-use and oppertunities
for various small scale industries. Jean Pain chippers for example convert
waste wood to Bio-fuels.
- Bio-gas Digesters; current sewage problems, such as sea outfall, can
be solved by routing sewage through digesters to provide gas fuels and
fertilizers.
- Tidal\wave power; investigate the possibilities.
- Care needs to be taken in assessing the possible environmental impact
of any energy source.
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