Waste is not redundant, it is abundant. Organic waste remains one of the largest sources of pollution, while we lose valuable stored nutrients and energy. At Pyropower, we look at projects that can take in organic waste and build technologies to close the loop towards a bio-based circular economy.
Energy is the biggest cause of anthropogenic climate change while many people in the world still lack basic access. Renewable energy sources, like solar and wind, have become cheaper but they alone cannot tackle the existing trajectory. At our core, we aim to assist bringing biomass energy technology to local communities everywhere.
80% of energy consumption in agriculture comes from fertiliser production and use. Intensive chemicals degrades our land at an alarming rate - land which would otherwise be growing our food, materials and biofuels. With biochar, we aim to reverse the problems in land nutrition and soil productivity in the long run.
From the founder's experiences with smallholder coffee farmers in Indonesia - a new found passion for food waste and coffee waste was formed! Back home in the Netherlands, 300 million kilos of coffee grounds each year are produced. The aim of Pyropower is to process the thousands of tons of spent coffee grounds turning waste into clean energy, biochar and sustainable products, done alongside the wonderful Dutch (circular economy) ecosystem. We aim to give coffee a second life that will will reduce it's overall CO2 footprint.
The problem with eucalyptus camaldulesis is that it can be an extremely "aggressive" plant. It's roots dig deep drying up the groundwater meant for agricultural irrigation, at the same time, due to their root structure favor soil erosion instead of preventing it on the Andulusian hills. The fallen leaves are highly acidic and contaminate the surrounding soil with toxic compounds for both macro and micro fauna, triggering a vicious cycle that makes it impossible for other species of plants to germinate.
Kuwunika in Chichewa, the national language of Malawi means “To illuminate”, which is what Pyropower sounds like in Malawi. Pyropower is working with people in Malawi, for the people of Malawi, to provide them access to energy which in a way which is affordable, sustainable and clean. This comes in the form the community need most for basic livihood needs - Heat for cooking, lighting and mobile phone charging. This project is continued to this day, alongside CEHSP, our local partners in Malawi.
learn more about PYROPOWER IN MALAWI herePyropower has implemented a portable energy-producing device (open source) which allows smallholder farmers to manage crop waste, diverting it from open-burning and get involved in the biochar market. We started on a small island in Lombok in the Southern Peninsula of Indonesia, where smallholder farmers (less than 2 hectares each) are engaged in coffee, cocoa, casava and candlenuts, rice and tobacco production.
Biochar is used in many different ways and affects many people and sectors on this planet; including waste, energy, agriculture, food, sustainable materials and carbon capture. On the Biochar Base, we discuss all possible uses, including the people and companies that produce biochar, and a place where people can buy, sell or trade biochar and carbon credits.