Renewable Resources

We are currently using our planet’s resources at a rate far faster than they can regenerate – according to the concept of Earth Overshoot Day, we globally consume the equivalent of around 1.8 Earths per year of what is biologically sustainable. Many industrialised countries consume significantly more ecosystem services per capita than their share of the world’s population; the North American resource footprint stands at 4.2, the European at 3 and that of Africa at less than 1 Earth. We therefore need to do much more in the field of renewable resources in order to stay within the limits of our ecosystem’s capacity. The following subject areas must, of course, be supplemented with others.

Primary production

Global food prices are subject to sharp fluctuations, have reached unprecedented highs in recent years and are on an upward trend. This phenomenon is determined by a variety of underlying factors and is linked to specific current triggers. The steadily growing global population, rising consumer demand in emerging economies, as well as soil degradation and the depletion of water resources for irrigation are indisputable facts that cannot be put into perspective. The long-term effects of climate change are a matter of debate; however, the frequency of extreme weather events caused by climate change is not the sole cause of global food insecurity. Urgent short-term consumer needs and long-term impacts of unsustainable agricultural, forestry and fishing practices reduce the regenerative capacity of fauna and flora, the atmosphere, soils and water resources.

Needs and options must be weighed up scientifically, taking into account socio-economic and environmental factors. In the future, micro-systems in food production must be revived and modified to complement the food trade system. Subsistence farming makes sense not only in rural but also in urban regions. The niche production of agricultural specialties in high-income countries for local markets and for export is also recommended. The fact is, however, that free trade in primary products is of existential importance for the global food supply, industrial production and ultimately for stability and peace.

ELEPH-ANTS therefore focuses its attention primarily on homogeneous and classifiable renewable products that can be stored, traded and transported in large quantities at low cost and with an acceptable carbon footprint. Relatively few large surplus producing countries supply a large number of import-dependent countries with these primary bulk commodities. Furthermore, today’s markets are distorted by certain forms of speculation, protectionist measures and conflicts – all to the detriment of consumers with low purchasing power, small producers, the ecosystem and the welfare of farm animals.

Carpe Carpem - Environmentally Friendly Fish Production

Overfishing of the oceans due to rising global fish consumption, as well as the problems associated with fish farms—which rely on the excessive use of antibiotics, by-catch as feed, and energy for water treatment—are a cause for great concern. Carp are a popular food fish in many places, but are less appreciated elsewhere simply due to traditional habits. They can be fed a vegetarian diet and are of commercial interest as they can be processed mechanically despite their fine bones. Carp farming in modified pond systems as part of agricultural crop rotation and in combination with the farming of European catfish in temperate climates, together with a ‘rebranding’ (particularly of carp), represents an alternative that could help alleviate some of the problems mentioned above. Consumers need not necessarily lose their appetite for fish if they know that the fish on their plate comes from environmentally and animal-friendly farming.

Budget estimate for market analysis of the potential for a shift in consumer preferences from premium fish to white fish; € 20’000

The study examines the market potential of internationally tradable forest use rights in New Zealand, which enable individuals to create and own a personal carbon sink. One hectare of Pinus radiata (Monterey pine) sequesters at least 5 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually compared to a sheep pasture, or stores on average more than 200 tonnes over the rotation cycle (22 to 25 years). – and much more still when the wood’s use as excellent timber is taken into account. Such a project (NZ Managed Forest) has been running for 20 years, but has so far been only moderately successful, as it was led by a self-serving management and controlled by inadequately informed, technically unqualified and all too trusting shareholders. Nevertheless, it is certainly possible to build on the experience gained. What could be better than doing something very meaningful for the environment, feeling good about it, and seeing your capital grow organically?

Self-sustaining Compensation of Individual CO2 Footprint

Budget estimate for implementation analysis, including regulatory aspects: €25,000

Marine Energy

Although solar, hydro and wind power are being massively expanded in China and Western countries, the immense global energy consumption is still largely based on limited fossil resources and on nuclear energy. The use of fossil fuel is damaging to the climate and nuclear energy is associated with the risks of accidents and long-term consequences as in Three Mile Island, Chernobyl and Fukushima. Potentially less hazardous and more environmentally friendly thorium reactors (VI generation) are still in the experimental phase. An orientation towards naturally available but consistently renewable sources of energy is taking place. It is a planetary imperative that calls for adaption of applied technologies and investment in new ones. Energy efficiency must be improved, whilst at the same time energy must be saved (rather than falling into the trap of rebound effects).

Our oceans are overfished, polluted, acidified, warming up and suffering from increasing oxygen depletion in some regions. In the very worst-case scenario (let’s paint the devil on the wall for once), the combination of these problems could lead to far-reaching damage to marine life, comparable only to similar phenomena that occurred 65 million years ago and earlier. However, recent research also shows that the oceans can be harnessed as inexhaustible sources of mechanical and thermal energy. If this is done intelligently, it can help to replace climate-damaging fossil fuels. Vast areas of the North Atlantic could theoretically supply Western Europe with energy from waves, tides and, in particular, wind – practically all year round. However, storing surplus energy from marine sources, transmitting it and ensuring grid stability in the face of fluctuating generation levels present an enormous challenge.

STREAMFIELD

This is a system for deep water wind farming, which was originally patented by ELEPH-ANTS’ predecessor ANTHILLS in the UK, Ireland and France. Conventional, already highly efficient wind turbines, supported by floating, rotatable and weight-stabilised masts with aerodynamic profiles, are embedded in a semi-submersible, horizontal network of cable connections, which is secured vertically with mooring lines. The system is designed for water depths between 150 m and approximately 1,000 m. Several dozen individual wind turbines together make up such a system. The advantage of this system is that, in rough seas and strong winds, the wind towers sway like reeds, meaning that no rigid moorings or mechanically complex swivel joints are required for the nacelles. Furthermore, unlike systems anchored to the seabed, Streamfield emits significantly less noise that is harmful to marine life, both during installation and, above all, during operation.

Budget estimate for preliminary, high‑level engineering calculations; €20,000

Underwater Adiabatic Pressurized Air Reservoirs theoretically have the potential to balance out fluctuating energy yields from renewable sources such as offshore wind farms. However, the physical forces acting on such large systems, particularly buoyancy forces, are enormous and must be roughly estimated. Expertise in offshore oil production is already available; for example, anchoring systems – such as suction caissons – are used, in which a vacuum is created within the structure by pumping out water. Suitable marine areas with a depth of ideally around 1,000 metres and a flat seabed are located directly off certain European coasts (e.g. in the Iberian Basin).

Budget estimate for experiments with base-plate-shaped active suction anchors on a very small scale model: €40,000