Energe&cs of Sustainable Agriculture

10/28/12 1 Schramski

4th Biophysical Economics Conference University of Vermont October 26-28, 2012

John R. Schramski College of Engineering

Environmental and Ecological Engineering Research University of Georgia

10/28/12 1 Schramski

4th Biophysical Economics Conference University of Vermont October 26-28, 2012

Where are the Networks?

John R. Schramski College of Engineering

Environmental and Ecological Engineering Research University of Georgia

10/28/12 Schramski 3

Neuse River Nitrogen Mass Model

Finn Cycling = 89% Oyster Reef Energy Model

Finn Cycling = 11%

Georgia Salt Marsh Energy Model

Finn Cycling = 8%

Examples, Mass & Energy Network Modeling

Dame and Patten 1981

Teal 1962, Small 2006 Christian and Thomas 2003

10/28/12 Schramski 4

Urban Energy Systems

10/28/12 Schramski 5

Solar

PP

PC

SC

TC

Decompo

sers

Biomass

Ecosystem Energetic Services

Anthroposphere

Hydro

Geothermal

Wind

Fossil Fuels

Nuclear

Tidal

Food and Ag

Transporta&on

Industrial & Commercial

Residen&al

Heat energy losses due to conversions

Energy dissipation not temporally aligned to local ecosystem production

Biosphere

10/28/12 Schramski 6

Solar

PP

PC

SC

TC

Decompo

sers

Biomass

Anthroposphere

Hydro

Geothermal

Wind Tidal

Canonic Agricultural Organiza&on

Social- Economic

Organization & Structure

Ecosystem Energetic Services

Modelling a Trophically Balanced Thermodynamic Economy

Schramski 7

10

21

W12

Q10

Trophically Balanced Development

Canonical Organization

Cul&vated Natural

Social- Economic

Organiza&on & Structure

W13

Solar

Human

Developing the Network Mathematics of Urban Energy Systems

23

Q02

W23

Humans

101312121021 QWWeee ++++=

202323213212120202 QWeeeeWQW +++=++++

Cultivated Natural

Social-Economic Development

3230232313 eQeWW +=++ Renewables W02

Q20

Q30

32

12 Total System

3020100202 QQQQW ++=+

Essentially, network generation becomes the threshold event for

true sustainability

10/28/12 Schramski 8

Theoretical Modelling of Trophically Balanced Agriculture

Schramski JR, Rutz, Z, Gattie, DG, Li K. 2011. Trophically balanced sustainable agriculture. Ecological Economics, 72-88-96.

Results demonstrated: one farmer can produce

enough energy, vitamins, minerals, and nutrients

for ~four people

10/28/12 Schramski 9

2011 YTD Energy Totals for Kentucky USA Organic Farm

10/28/12 Schramski 10

EROI = output/input = 0.025 input/output = 40

10/28/12 Schramski 11

EROI = output/input = 0.025 input/output = 40

10/28/12 Schramski 12

from Sustainable to Trophically Balanced Agriculture?

1. Minimal extra materials 2. Introduce animals & decomposers for self

sufficient composting and fertilizers 3. Introduce animals for work output instead

of fuels 4. Introduce diversity and density for

fertilizers and nutrient balances

Issues of scale become primary

Schramski 13

10

21

W12

Q10

Trophically Balanced Development

Canonical Organization

Cul&vated Natural

Social- Economic

Organiza&on & Structure

W13

Solar

Human

Conclusions

23

Q02

W23

Renewables W02

Q20

Q30

32

12

Where are the Networks? 1. Agriculture must simultaneously

include primary producers, consumers, and decomposers.

2. Ecological network theory identifies the lack of sustainability science in modern energy systems.

3. Farmers are the intellectual center of a sustainable community

4. First principle development underway: ~Sustainability does not exist without energy networks/cycling.

10/28/12 15 Schramski

4th Biophysical Economics Conference University of Vermont October 26-28, 2012

John R. Schramski College of Engineering

Environmental and Ecological Engineering Research University of Georgia

Where are the Networks?

Energe&cs of Sustainable Agriculture

Where are the Networks? 1. Agriculture must simultaneously

include primary producers, consumers, and decomposers.

2. Ecological network theory identifies the lack of sustainability science in modern energy systems.

3. Farmers are the intellectual center of a sustainable community

4. First principle development underway: ~Sustainability does not exist without energy networks/cycling.

Schramski 15

10

21

W12

Q10

Trophically Balanced Development

Canonical Organization

Cul&vated Natural

Social- Economic

Organiza&on & Structure

W13

Solar

Human

23

Q02

W23

Renewables W02

Q20

Q30

32

12

Low Energy Systems Engineering and Research.