The world is reaching the limit in the amount of food that can be generated, seas and crops. The areas available are deserts, which account for 42% of the earth's land surface. Pressure on natural resources is increasing. The contamination of rivers and oceans is a bleak outlook for humanity in the coming years. The nopal represents a hope for humanity for food and energy in a sustainable way.

Opuntia ficus-indica, has a wide distribution in the world and adapts to diverse climatic conditions. In some countries it is considered a pest, in others, like Mexico, a gift from heaven.

To produce biomass in large quantities, a plant is required that adapts to diverse climatic conditions, is resistant to pests, a true survivor where other species cannot tolerate. In addition to rapid growth and simple molecular structure, which allows easy degradation. The nopal has all these characteristics. Therefore, it is the ideal species for an agro-industrial or bioenergy project.

The proposal to use nopal for energy was born at the University of Chile in the 80s, accidentally, and later in 2000 Wayland did his thesis and built the first Biogas plant with cactus in the world for industrial use in the Elqui Valley, Chile, associated with the carmine industry (a coloring insect that feeds on cactus. Later, he took this technology to Mexico, South Africa and other countries).

Working model

In the renewable energy industry, the most common thing is to sell equipment and advice, so if you want to install equipment you have to buy it in Germany, Austria or the USA, transport it to its destination and install it, which increases costs. Our model is to sell engineering, adapt to the client, use equipment and facilities from the national market, build with local materials and companies where projects are developed, this allows for greater social impact, job creation, social integration and low environmental impact at the destination point. Our production process is 5 times cheaper both in equipment and investment costs than other alternatives. We are the only company that offers this comprehensive service in food and energy with cacti. Pioneers in the world and with international experience.

Nopal aplications (Cactus)

• Continuous energy generation 24 X 365 days.
• Production of biogas and electricity.
• No sulfur oxides or particles.
• Low maintenance.
• Overall plant efficiency 80-90%.
• Generates soil, organic fertilizers.
• Changes the microclimate that retains water in the soil.
• Extracts carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
• Useful life 20 years.
• Allows the sale of carbon credits.
• Completely organic process.
• Rapid implementation of the project.
• Generate permanent jobs to plant crops and process plants.
• Allows the opening of new markets to be considered a green company that cares about the environment.

HUMAN FOOD

Its water content is high, around 90%, and it also contains minerals such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, sodium and small amounts of iron, aluminum, among others. It contains fibers, vitamins A, C, K, B1, B2, B3 and B6 and chlorophyll. It can be prepared roasted, in salads, as well as in brine, vinegar and other preparations. The cactus can be dehydrated and produced flour to make tortillas and baked goods.

ANIMAL FEED

The foliage can be used as a staple food for goats, sheep and rabbits, and as a dietary supplement, instead of concentrates, for dairy cattle, and as a feed ingredient for monogastric animals, such as pigs. Direct feeding can be used on site, with cattle or goats that feed directly from the plant or can be cut into pieces and made into rations in corrals. Likewise, cactus flour can be obtained for storage and later administration in winter rations or for sale in the wholesale market.

VERMICULTURE

Applied to tuna, it allows obtaining two products, humus and worm flour, both of excellent quality and considerable volume. There is usually resistance to the use of earthworms as food or the production of flour because they are used in agricultural waste, however, the cactus allows, through a vegetable crop, the obtaining of products without the negative microbial load associated with waste treatment. Earthworms fed with vegetables from which a homogeneous product is obtained. The applications of the flour are in feed for chickens, farmed fish, goats, pigs and industrial animals as a complement to rations.

ENERGY PRODUCTION

The cultivation of biomass for the production of biogas is exclusive to the tuna; biogas plants in the world normally use agricultural or industrial waste, sewage or similar. The design of processes to produce energy through cultivation and transformation is not usually viable without subsidies, this occurs with ethanol in the USA or biogas in Europe. This problem does not occur with the tuna, which is profitable and competitive with other renewable sources such as panels and wind farms. The great advantage is that it supplies energy 24 hours a day and its production can be regulated, thus adapting to demand. The conversion of biogas into electricity uses equipment similar to that required for natural gas.

CARBON CREDITS

Among the most important benefits we can indicate the generation of permanent jobs in remote areas of Africa or marginal areas and green or carbon bonds, which will allow, by themselves, the financing of large-scale plantations. Our systems are organic crops, processing plants with recyclable materials, we are committed to sustainable development. Prickly pear crops to obtain energy multiply life in the deserts. The greatest impact is found in the substitution of fossil fuels.

JOB CREATION AND FLEXIBILITY

Projects with nopales have wide flexibility and can be oriented to the creation of permanent jobs, in planting, harvesting and processing, as well as highly mechanical systems to produce large incomes with a minimum of personnel, it is perfectly possible to implement a mix with the indicated alternatives.