permaculture

[venaurafarm <venaurafarm@bellsouth.net>]

On 12/31/2012 11:46 AM, Cory Brennan wrote:
> What is the most ethical, least toxic and polluting energy production
> method that you know of that is available for individual use? I
> understand that reducing energy needs is the top of the list and
> first action. But say that you have a laptop you need to power, or

Energy efficiency soultions using durable materials is of prime importance.
1) super insulated buildings
   spray-on foam and rigid foamboard insulation
   insulating masonry products, structural and non structural (Hebel,
   Aercon)
2) energy efficient roof design, deflect solar gain in warm months,
   allow solar gain in cold months
3) build with masonry (inexpensive, with long payback)
   concrete floors and masonry walls = valuable thermal mass to store
   solar gain in cold months, cool in warm months (significantly cooler,
   no need for A/C, only fans to circulate air)
4) orchards of fuel producing trees, cut or coppiced
5) rocket stoves or similar wood burning technology
6) Russian/Finnish/Scandinavian wood burning stoves with bake oven
   super efficient with huge thermal mass for heat cycling (thermal
   flywheel), high heat in combustion area (probably) eliminates
   creosote buildup in chimney, reduction on fire risk as portion of
   chimney that carries smoke to outside is venting low temperature
   gases; these stoves have been in use for centuries so they must have
   worked out the creosote buildup in the chimney issue successfully.
7) to repeat: super insulation, thermal mass and air circulation are
   vital to building energy efficiency

Use solar photovoltaic panels for household appliances, i.e. electronics 
charging and air circulating fans, high efficiency refigerators and 
freezers (if they exist).

> need to pump rainwater somewhere, or have a community center where
> you are having a conference on how to get permaculture design
> implemented in a city, etc. What state of the art energy production
> devices that are currently available have people seen in use or are
> using? I'm not talking about PV panels, but fuel cell, cogeneration,
> high efficiency wind, etc. This is one area where I feel the weakest
> as far as having really ethical solutions to stop using fossil fuels.
> PV panels only go so far and dont' have the most optimum life cycle
> possible, by any means. I would love to hear what others have seen on
> this subject.

Bergey Windmills. Small affordable units that can be erected by one or 
two people, 1000 watt, 2000 watt turbines.

> It seems like this is such a key area to address since fossil fuel
> energy production creates so much of the ecosystem destruction.

Mercury in fish comes from coal burning power plants. Tuna seems to 
hyperacumulate this toxic element, swordfish and other species as well. 
Herring is safe to eat. The Exxon Valdez disaster nearly completely 
obliterated the large herring industry in Prince William Sound. Herring 
from there could have fed many customers in the US.