The Convergence of Microprocessors, Sensors, Communications & CHP
Distributed Solutions for Distributed Problems

Vision:

To create a comprehensive systems view of grass in applications ranging from Heat, Power, Nutrient Management, Open Fields & Landscape Preservation, as well as a sustainable, integrated, grass and wood bio-energy strategy that promotes energy independence and security.

Problem Statement:

Fossil fuel prices are being driven upwards by a growing divergence between demand and supply, possibly complicated by “Peak Oil”;

The U.S. can no longer afford the luxury of fossil fuels that have a negative net energy return on total energy inputs required for their production;

Reliance on insecure and vulnerable foreign fossil fuel supplies constrains U.S. foreign policy options and exposes the U.S. economy to risky disruptions and distortions;

Burning fossil fuels releases sequestered carbon into an already overburdened atmosphere;

Centralized generating plants create single points of failure – a Homeland Security issue;

The U.S. economy can no longer afford power plants operating below 67% efficiency – 49% of US electricity is made by burning coal at less than 35% efficiency;

If you would like a PDF file of the current draft of the 40 page the working paper “A Scenario for Grass in New England”, please send me a note asking for it. This paper has lead to the formation of the New England Grass Pellet Collaborative, Inc., a new non profit corporation registered in the state of Vermont. The Collaborative will be sponsoring the Green Valley Grass Pellet Project of 2006. Shelburne Farms will be an active participant and has graciously agreed to host the project.

It has been many years since I read Rousseau’s Social Contract. It was back in college and I didn’t read it as closely as I should have. Yet it often comes to mind as I read discussions about the role government in the age of Internet technology, and how to handle trolls, spam and scamsters. [read more]