System Sustainability and Innovation
The Engineering Challenge: “Embrace the Whole System”
• Energy is not fuel alone; it is a set of
components in an ecosystem. A
dynamic set of forces that support
growth only when dynamically
balanced, and dangerous when static
or extremely unbalanced!
• The opportunity before us, as
engineers, entrepreneurs, politicians
and citizens, is to create systems that
help us to dynamically optimize our
fuel/energy/resource mix for
sustainable human development.
3/8/07
SJSU Presentation
©E3 Regenesis Solutions, Inc. 2007
Cradle to Cradle Systems Design
Emulating Nature’s Material and Energy Flows
Nature’s ecosystems function on some key principles that
human design can emulate.
1.
There is no “waste” in nature; the waste from
one organism provides nutrients for another.
2.
All life on earth is fueled by solar energy.
3.
Life thrives on diversity, constantly adapting to
fill niches.
Cradle to Cradle Design remodels human industry using
these natural principles. It envisions a world
powered by the sun where growth is good, waste is
“nutritious,” and productive diversity enriches human
and natural communities.
The application of cradle-to-cradle principles to industry
creates cyclical material flows (cradle-to-cradle
rather than cradle-to-grave) that, like the earth’s
nutrient cycles, don’t recognize the concept of
waste. Each material in a product is designed to be
safe and effective, and to provide high quality
resources for subsequent generations
From McDonough.com “Cradle to Cradle Design Principles”
3/8/07
SJSU Presentation
©E3 Regenesis Solutions, Inc. 2007
Let’s Look at the Peak Oil Challenge!
A Supply and Demand Analysis
What is right and what is wrong with this model?
http://www.hubbertpeak.com/
3/8/07
• It is a limited resource
model -- And resources are
limited! But Oil is not our
only resource!
• How does this it help us
understand the problem?
• What does it tell us about
ourselves?
• What analytical model
would be better?
• What are the missing
variables?
SJSU Presentation
©E3 Regenesis Solutions, Inc. 2007
Systems, Innovation and Sustainability
The Mystery of Capital: Hernando De Soto
– The multiple dimensions of property)(Squatters)
– The Other Path
• Fighting Terrorists Strengthens Them;
• Empowering Grass-Roots, Creative Producers Takes Power Away From Terrorists
Natural Capital: Paul Hawken, Amory & Hunter Lovins:
– Capitalize natural resources instead of depreciating them.
– Organize financial systems “as if living systems mattered”
Intellectual Property as Capital:
– Open Source, Mega-Patents and GIN’s (Alliance Systems)
– Empower creators of Intellectual Property and Innovation (Mega-patents)
Efficiency = Capital: The more you save the more capital resources you have.
The Globalization and Localization of Communities: Rational Systems
–
–
–
–
3/8/07
Systems within Systems -- sports analogy. Appropriate hierarchy (Bay Localize)
Operate from self-sufficiency: Strengthen the Self-sufficiency of others.
Seek to expand economies with appropriate collaboration and competition
Rationalize competition over things that matter with appropriate rewards.
SJSU Presentation
©E3 Regenesis Solutions, Inc. 2007
Forest to Desert Lu Yongru (age 14) Hebei, PRC 2002
Waste is a name we give to raw materials we are not using productively. If we use them, they are not waste!
• All processes (living and non-living) use natural resources and transform them into forms they cannot use;
• Yet all resources can be used by some process.
All resources are limited -- unless we learn how to reclaim wastes and put them back to work.
• Once we learn, we can have a sustainable supply of resources for the future.
Wasted resources also contaminate our environment:
• They make life less healthy, more expensive and less sustainable.
3/8/07
SJSU Presentation
©E3 Regenesis Solutions, Inc. 2007
Climate Change:
Global Warming Plus Water and Soil Degradation
as recognized by young Chinese children
Saharan Water: Zhu Siying Age 6, Hubei, PRC 2002
3/8/07
Changes: Zeng Fei (age 15) Jiangxi, PRC 2002
SJSU Presentation
©E3 Regenesis Solutions, Inc. 2007
Climate Change:
Solar Dimming and Toxic Emissions
as described by young Chinese children
It is popular to wear a Gauze mask
The Sandstorm is Coming
Li Xiaoxiang (age 10) Hubei, PRC 2002
Zhu Xi (age 9) Yunnan, PRC 2002
3/8/07
SJSU Presentation
©E3 Regenesis Solutions, Inc. 2007
3/8/07
SJSU Presentation
©E3 Regenesis Solutions, Inc. 2007
Sequester Carbon as Products
QuickTime™ and a
TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
Dry Ice and Liquid CO2 for
Food Processing/Handling
Qui ckTime™ and a
TIFF (U ncompr essed) decompressor
are needed to see thi s pi cture.
Dry Ice for
Ice Blasting
Clean Fuels, Fertilizers,
Industrial Chemicals
Solvents
gases and
Firefighting
Chemicals
Carbon Nanotubes
Biochar (Terra Preta)
3/8/07
Corn Grown with Biochar
as a soil amendment
SJSU Presentation
©E3 Regenesis Solutions, Inc. 2007
Aerobic (Windrow) Composting
No process is perfect by itself!
Composting is a good way to recycle some wastes, however, it is not always effective or appropriate.
The following factors may limit the applicability and effectiveness of windrow composting:
•
Substantial space is required for composting.
•
Excavation of contaminated soils is required and may cause the uncontrolled release of Volatile Organic
Compounds (VOC’s) including methane CH4 and other Greenhouse Gases including CO2.
•
Composting results in a increase in material because of the addition of amendment material.
•
Although levels of metals may be reduced via dilution, heavy metals are not treated by this method. Also high levels
of heavy metals can be toxic to the microorganisms.
3/8/07
SJSU Presentation
©E3 Regenesis Solutions, Inc. 2007
The EPA Recycling Paradigm
Recognizes the Cradle to Cradle Objective
3/8/07
SJSU Presentation
©E3 Regenesis Solutions, Inc. 2007
Full-Cycle Resource Utilization System
Waste
Generation
Transfer Station
Feedstock
MRF: Materials Recycling Facility
End-Users
Energy
Products
Fabricators
and
Distributors
Products
Toxic Waste
Energy
Biorefinery
Feedstocks
Reclaimed Resources from
Landfills, Manure Piles, etc.
Products
Farmers and
Manufacturers
3/8/07
Feedstocks
Raw Materials,
Carbon, Fertilizers and
Fuels
SJSU Presentation
©E3 Regenesis Solutions, Inc. 2007
From a System Perspective, Energy/Resource Transformation
is not about Choosing the Most Efficient Source;
It is about Optimizing the Mix!
QuickTime™ and a
TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
Geothermal
Landfills: Energy + Resources
Solar
Wind
QuickTime™ and a
TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
Efficiency
Hydroelectric
Biofuels
Oil and Gas
QuickTime™ and a
TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
Atomic Power
3/8/07
Human Power
Innovative Alliances:
Global Innovation Networks
Anaerobic Digestion
SJSU Presentation
©E3 Regenesis Solutions, Inc. 2007
Farmed Biomass
Innovative Cybernetic Systems
Organizational Intelligence
Energetic Ingredients
Organizational Processes
“Horse” Power -- Brain Power
Wind, Waves, Solar
Energy Efficiency
Animal + Man Power
Cleaner Fossil Fuels
Safe Nuclear Energy?
3/8/07
Life Cycle Efficiency
Healthy Air, Water, and Soil
Lifelong Education
Quality of Life - Economics
Adaptive Alliance Building
SJSU Presentation
©E3 Regenesis Solutions, Inc. 2007
Potential Research Assignments
1.
United nations CDM System and Opportunities for Business to work in Developing Countries using CERs. Research the ones that
have been successful and develop a business plan for either replicating some successful methodologies or develop a new methodology
to make energy more efficient, reduce GHG emissions, and captuer either CERs or VERs.
2.
Waste management: How can we divert waste and efficiently put it back to work? Pick a solution and build a business plan. Be sure to
put it into the context of multiple other solutions that could complement your solution.
3.
Many people believe that reducing our emissions and using energy efficiently will cost a fortune. Read Barron’s Quarterly arguments
along those lines. Analyze two of their analyses and show how creative thinking and innovation will actually make more money for
businesses that adopt them.
4.
Analyze the cost of waste streams and the cost of converting them into energy and useful products. Build a business plan that will
make it profitable to convert waste back into resources for sale.
5.
Identify a method for sequestering carbon in useful products. Analyze the cost of doing so and develop a business model that would
make it profitable to do so.
6.
Research the literature and develop a business model for continuous innovation and adaptability that will be serve the triple bottom
line.
7.
Read the reports on Bill McDonough’s work in China. Why did the project fail when he has had so many successful projects? What
will he need to do differently next time?
8.
Read the Projections 2008 report of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group. Identify a project that could win their support, when the
engineering is done well. Then design that engineering solution while taking into account the business and political requirements as
well. Remember, no business plan will get funded unless it looks simple and convincing.
3/8/07
SJSU Presentation
©E3 Regenesis Solutions, Inc. 2007