Energy is a moral issue
One drizzly Monday evening in August, sometime between 6.30 and 6.32, I found myself at Number 46, The Wine Bar, Presteigne. An old blues record played in the corner and the beer, brewed by trappist monks, was upon the scrubbed wooden table. There I sat, shoulder to shoulder with music-loving philanthropists and philosophising epicurists and ragged-trousered environmentalists, discussing the merits of squirrel pie. For this was Unhappy Hour and we were there to be unhappy. And as we debated the concept of eating grey squirrel, and consumed the delicious beer, some of us became accidentally filled with hilarity. That was when Jules announced: “Great excitement in Bristol as the first poo- powered car is launched.” “Let’s hope BP don’t get wind of the idea” I thought in an Eeyore-esque moment of gloom. But the trappist beer was taking effect and, besides, by 7.30 Unhappy Hour would be over. So what is this poo-power? The Times describes Britain’s first car to be powered by gas from sewage as “Bog standard Beetle ...the bottom line in fuel economy.” Amusing, but not entirely true. The internal combustion engine is not especially economic, still wasting vast amounts of energy to heat and noise. On the other hand, if you can really cover 10,000 miles annually in a funky Volkswagen Beetle on the “flushings” from just 70 households, this is quite something. It certainly beats building an industrial unit the size of Belgium in order to squeeze oil from tar ... at the expense of the forest wilderness of Alberta in Canada. Which is what BP are now turning their attention to, fresh from their triumphant rescue (of their own disaster) in the Gulf of Mexico. Anaerobic digestion is not just a waste management process that keeps sewage out of the sea or waste food out of landfill. It is not just a smart way to reduce methane emissions that contribute to the greenhouse effect either. It is also a really good way to turn stuff we don’t want ... putrescibles as they say ... into stuff we do. Like energy and fertilizer. Scientific interest in the manufacturing of gas produced by natural decomposition, was first reported in the seventeenth century. This was the work of two blokes called Robert Boyle and Stephen Hale, who noted that a flammable gas was released when one disturbed the sediment of lakes. The first Anaerobic Digester was built in Bombay 100 years later and inspired research that led to the discovery of anaerobic bacteria, the microorganisms that facilitate the process. Further research was carried out to investigate the conditions under which methanogenic bacteria were able to grow and reproduce. Meanwhile simple cows and related animals had actually been doing it for years, in their digestive systems. But they didn’t like to brag. Almost any biodegradable organic material can be processed with anaerobic digestion, if it is well prepared. Strict safety procedures are in place to avoid the use of contaminated or high risk waste. Large proportions of wood waste are not recommended either. But common waste materials such as grass clippings, leftover food, and animal waste make excellent material for AD. In some countries, simple home and farm-based anaerobic digestion systems provide low-cost energy for cooking and lighting and this is one of the most efficient ways to use biogas. A CHP (Combined Heat and Power) generator is also an efficient use of Bio Gas. This implies a need to localise energy production in order to make best use of resources. Turning biogas into electricity or a fuel for combustion engines may be preferred, especially by corporate interests, but when energy production belongs to local economies instead, we actually have more options. Oil is black gold. It holds up the financial system, takes us to work and powers “the economy”. For oil, people have fought to the death. Others, including civilians, turtles and brown pelicans, died without wanting to die on behalf of it. Prime ministers and presidents have risen and fallen because of oil, oceans and waterways have endured it and nomadic trading posts have become so enriched by it as to become citadels of the modern world, symbolised by glorious tennis courts atop of the shining tower blocks. There will never be another time like the age of oil. But already the mantle wears thin and it is time to move on to new energy solutions. And as ever we should make decisions that are informed by our human integrity, by the environment, and by the needs of our community. Because energy, like food and clean water, is not just a financial issue, it is a moral issue and a resource upon which we all depend.
Rachel Frances
Events
Sept
shropshire wildlife trust
1 Sept - Jungle Creatures. Make your own crazy jungle creature from recycled materials, for ages 4-10 years, £4 per child, 10.30am-12.30pm or 1.30-3.30pm. 3 Sept - Nature Walk in Rea Brook Valley. Suitable for the whole family, 10.30am-12.30pm, £4 per child. 11 Sept - Soap Making Workshop, 10am-4pm, £40, lunch and materials provided. Shropshire Wildlife Visitor Centre, 93 Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, 01743 284280.
Sept
KARUNA WORKSHOPS
11 & 12 Sept - Permaculture Intro Course with Jenny Chandler. Part of Karuna Permaculture Project Courses and Events, 01694 751374, www.karuna.org.uk
Sept
radnorshire wildlife trust events
8 Sept - Tylcau Hill Opening, 10.30am-12.30pm. Further details/info 01597 823298.
Mon 13 - Fri 17 Sept
timber frame building courses
With Hewnwood.com. Learn the craft of timber framing in our secluded woodland workshop in the Brecon Beacons. You will be working with greenwood to create a traditionally crafted, pegged and fully jointed frame. Camping on site and all meals included. Alan or Mary on 01874 658440 or email timberframe@keme.co.uk
Sat 18 Sept - Sat 2 Oct
permaculture together
Two week permaculture design course combines practical permaculture with an exploration of group dynamics that will give you tools to build creativity and stability in any group situation. Ragmans Lane Farm, Lower Lydbrook, Glos, 01594 860244.
Sat 25 Sept
Transition leominster
Craft and skills using natural and recycled materials. Ideas for creative and profitable use of those long winter evenings. Community Centre, Leominster, 10am-4pm, free, 01885 410473. Transition Leominster.
Sun 26 Sept
gardening for bugs
Open to gardeners of all ages and accompanied children. Hill Cottage Market Garden, Rhos-y-Meirch, Knighton, 10.30-12.30pm or 2-4pm, 01544 260460.
Sat 2 & Sun 3 Oct
wales world trade fair 2010
2 Oct - Brecon Guildhall, 10am-5pm, 3 Oct - Abergavenny Market Hall 10am-4pm. Local Fairtrade groups are involved with guest of honour from Zimbabwe, Chief Chinamhora. Music, children’s entertainment, stalls, demonstrations and workshops.

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Broad Sheep, Mayfield, Stapleton, Nr Presteigne, Powys, LD8 2LS
T: 01544 260051 E: baa@broadsheep.com

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