GYE Defined
Grow Your Energy is a home-grown initiative for the sustainable production of bio-ethanol, electric power, edible oil, beef and fish in an integrated, simple and contemporary manner. Unlike similar initiatives, GYE is completely and vehemently opposed to the use of food crops consumed by human beings and animals to produce fuel or generate energy.
Through years of painstaking research work in collaboration with the aforementioned Institutions; the landraces of a sorghum variety produced in abundance in the dry savannah ecological zones, mostly in the northern parts of Nigeria has been isolated, developed and cultivated in commercial quantity to produce biofuels and also to generate electricity. Juice from the stem (or stalk) of this wonder crop, which hitherto had no known economic value is extracted, fermented and distilled into biofuels. The biomass or bagasse leftover is burnt in a co-generation ancillary to produce electricity. The farmer continues to use the grains for food, generate additional revenue by selling the stalk to the refinery. GYE is therefore a “waste-to-wealth” initiative that does not compete with the food chain. Intercropping with Safflower, Soya beans or groundnut or cultivation on pre -determined rotational basis replenish soil fertility, in addition to production of rich edible oils. Rain water is harvested routinely in large retention ponds containing fish nourished with wastes composed from edible oil extraction. The shredded leaves and other wastes from the feedstock are also composed into animal feed for cattle fattening and beef production. It is a very simple and straightforward activity which must all occur in tandem to satisfy each element of business support chain
The protocols of biomass conversion to electricity have been approved by Nigeria’s DNA and its CDM earning potential is estimated at €12.00 (Twelve Euros) per unit. The protocol for methane credit, which fetches 23 times more money than carbon, is presently being developed, thus making GYE a veritable tool for economic emancipation.
Climatologically, geotechnical and geophysical surveys conducted by our Scientists show that all areas lying between latitudes 7° and 14° North of the Equator is suitable for the sustainable cultivation of the crop. This means that nearly all the states in Nigeria north of the river Niger is good for the implementation of one or two GYE project(s). Similarly, the northern parts of Ondo, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Enugu states and all countries in the West African sub-region qualify for GYE projects on account of their suitable soil structure, rainfall, wind, temperature and vegetation cover.
Other Compelling reason for GYE
Each GYE project (Farm and refinery) will generated approximately 10000 direct and 40,000 indirect employments. It will also generate approximately 30 Megawatts (MW) of bio-mass electric power as well as earn substantial carbon and methane credits for rural developments and wealth creation. It will at once give a rare incentive to scientists who will see their research efforts being commercialized for the development of mankind as well as the entrepreneur who will create Nigerian-led jobs while applying their expertise in new ways, making it possible to earn good returns while serving the majority of people who have been left behind in civilized living to catch up with the rest of the world. It is thus a divine compensation for those areas of Nigeria without fossil deposits.
It is also planned to extend the initiative to other parts of Africa, Europe, America and the far East to create a Nigerian-led solution to the global meltdown.
The GYE process technology has been fully developed, tested and made ready for commercialization. It will be put at the disposal of interested Governments, Commercial Out-growers and Entrepreneurs at zero costs in a Public Private Partnership arrangement. Unlike other agricultural initiatives, this one lends itself to proper co-ordination and management at all levels. The results are instantaneous and measurable.