Prickly Pears, They "Ain’t" Just For Eating

A sustainable future is possible with Nopal Cactus plant as a source of green energy methane.

When I first learned about Nopal as a source of energy I have to admit I didn’t like it. I read up about it and followed some links that popped up on my Twitter feed. I could see the benefits for rural communities but without much further investigation I decided it would take up to much land to farm and I passed it off.

However I started to notice one of my favorite connections a retired Air Force General, Paul McGillicuddy, was promoting it on his Twitter. I am not sure why it was his interest that sparked a renewed interest for me. So I dug deeper and discovered what makes Nopal an excellent alternative to fossil fuels.

🌵What is Nopal the Prickly Pear?🌵

It’s a plant that grows in the desert. You can eat the plant or the fruits they produce which resemble the look and texture of a pear but the taste is not same.

It’s healthy and a staple of Mexican cuisine, anyone who has been to Mexico most certainly had this in at least one of their meals. It can be cooked, pickled, made into jams and relish as it compliments many other flavors.

Some of the health benefits include:

✓ Anti- inflammation ✓Boost Immune System
✓ Anti-oxidant Properties ✓Reduces Cholesterol ✓ Fights Diabetes

“Nopales are endowed with a variety of minerals and vitamins such as vitamin A, C, K, B6, riboflavin among a host of other minerals such as calcium.” http://healthbenefitsofeating.com/herbs/10-health-benefits-nopales/

Let’s talk about Nopal’s other amazing use as a source of green sustainable energy, an economic booster and a way to help stop desertification all over the world.

The technology to convert Nopal into usable electricity has become so simple that nearly anyone can learn to use it with a little training. I will talk more about in a moment.

The big reason I became a believer in Nopal was I learned that it will not devastate forests to farm them as I had falsely assumed. They grow in the desert so they will actually be helping to prevent the loss of what green land earth has left. They need little attention and survive well in cooler temperatures and harsh arid conditions. They can be planted along the edges of deserts thus allowing the land to retain water and over the years it will begin to expand into the desert reclaiming lost usable land.

How cool is that for the world and all life? Desertification is as bad and possibly worse than the rising sea levels we face as the globe continues to overheat.

(Pleas click images for credit)

Economically it’s great as it creates jobs farming the crop and managing the device that turns it into electricity. Also the spin off jobs like building and maintaining a small electrical grid, sales and clerical jobs. A village with electricity can open shops and restaurants. So for rural communities without electricity Nopal is a game changer. It is being highly promoted in Africa and other developing nations.

Mexico is the world leader in Nopal for green energy which other countries look to as an example. Learn more about Mexico and Nopal here. This post I will keep simple, direct and easy to understand.
http://www.mexiconewsnetwork.com/adventure/nopal-energy/

It wouldn’t compete for usable land for things like corn and livestock. It would be grown where nothing really lives. With proper attention Nopal can thrive and grow quickly.

So how do they turn this wonderful plant into electricity?

This is the cool part where technology really shows its self off as a way to better and change people’s lives forever. Check out this amazing contraption.

“Basically, the leaves of Nopal are shredded and placed in a biodigester where they start decomposing and generating biogas which contains 65% methane. This, in turn, feeds an internal combustion engine generator which produces electric energy.”
By Dania Vargas Austryjak http://www.mexiconewsnetwork.com/adventure/nopal-energy/

Diana Vargas Austryjak explains in her article the complete circle of life Nopal provides as a sustainable source of energy. Every part of Nopal is used for the benefit of the community. Once the Nopal has finished being used and has completed decomposing the remaining scrap is used as fertilizer for the next batch or sold/given to other farmers for their crops. Nothing is wasted.

Absolutely the epitome of Sustainable, the more they use it the more they have.

How does a biodigester work is probably what you’re wondering now.

There are a several ways and types to make a biodigester and if you are a clever engineer they can be designed to suit any need into any place.

Let’s take a quick look at what other people are using.
There are many websites you find teaching people how to make their own or they can buy one for their own personal use. Some are big some are small but once you see how it’s done you understand how anyone could do this with their compost or manure.

http://www.architectprojects.co.uk/biodigester-sewage-treatment-plants-the-real-alternative/

DIY

Hey why not?
If you have the compost or animal waste you could do this at home. Or go all out and plant a bunch of Nopal Cacti as they are the best choice for the above reasons.

See Valentina Karga teach us everything we need to know about building a biodigester. Very informative 8 mins.

Get some cool ideas from these guys.

http://www.homepower.com/sites/default/files/styles/article_gallery_active/public/articles/images/Biogas_Digester_Marquez-(228).jpg?itok=751giwwN
http://www.homepower.com/articles/home-efficiency/equipment-products/home-cookin-homemade-biogas
Click photo for credit and website.

They can be made to supply enough energy for a village. See these large biodigesters.

http://www.build-a-biogas-plant.com/tag/biodigester-plans/

And most amazingly this one is fully automated and transportable. Making it the best choice for rural places like Africa. Once it’s in position and the Nopal is flourishing it’s easy to use.

Agri Power has sold 60 of these proven devices globally.

http://www.agripowerpacific.com/

And that’s how you make Clean Green Energy from Nopal using methane gas which burns clean, no smog.
As you can see the technology can be used with other organic waste. I merely highlighted Nopal for its other amazing uses to help keep the world turning green.

The government mostly cares about money and when it’s profitable to be green they will move in the right direction. Nopal is one of those directions wouldn't you agree.
🌏 🌏 🌏🌏 🌏 🌏

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I hope you found this article interesting and unique..
100% Steem Power FTW!!

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Other posts from my Sustainable Future Series.
https://steemit.com/science/@solarguy/growing-organic-spirulina-at-home
https://steemit.com/science/@solarguy/bio-fuels-for-carbon-capture-using-algae
https://steemit.com/life/@solarguy/algae-our-best-bet-for-the-future

Please see other posts of my Life in China 请参阅我在中国生活的其他邮件
https://steemit.com/life/@solarguy/dalian-china-summer-s-end-canadian-style-bbq-bbq
https://steemit.com/cn/@solarguy/go-topless-and-support-international-women-s-rights-day
https://steemit.com/cn/@solarguy/spirulina-the-super-food-of-the-future