‘Zero Net Energy Farm’ in California draws Midwest farmer interest
In California, farmers from the Midwest are in California’s Central Valley touring the first-of-its-kind Zero Net Energy Farm, or “ZNEF,” to learn how to generate all electrical and heating power needs from on-site renewable resources, including solar, wind and biomass.
Renewable energy company Biodico Inc. directs the ZNEF project, which is funded, in part, by a $1.2 million grant from the California Energy Commission to develop an energy solution for farmers that helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Nearly a dozen soybean farmers from Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri and Nebraska are visiting the first ZNEF site, which is located at Red Rock Ranch in Five Points, Calif. Teall will introduce the ZNEF concept during the 2017 World Ag Expo at the California Department of Food and Agriculture Commission meeting
Biodico is a privately held company headquartered in Ventura, Calif. that (1) builds, owns and operates sustainable biofuel and bioenergy facilities, (2) conducts research and development with the U.S. Navy, and (3) collaborates with strategic joint venture partners to commercialize new technology and initiatives.
“The goal of our first ZNEF project is to develop a fully sustainable template that can be applied to farms throughout the world,” said Biodico Founder and President Russ Teall. “Nearly every farm has access to renewable resources that can be utilized to generate energy, and ZNEFs harness those resources to create practical solutions that produce electricity, improve energy security, decrease air pollutants and provide meaningful jobs in disadvantaged communities.”
Category: Research
