New paths for sustainability and
renewable energy
in Africa
The commitment to work in a climate-neutral way led to binding goals for aconnic. With binding goals, real projects emerged – close to nature, that produce results and stand up to any scrutiny – in the long term. New business ideas emerged from these projects and thus sustainability becomes business. In the Carbon Capturing & Bio-Energy product portfolio, aconnic develops technologically innovative and nature-based products for the storage of carbon dioxide (CO2) and sustainable energy sources from biomass. This is a significant step towards climate protection and sustainable energy production.
Digitalisation with communication networks strengthens the value chain. aconnic operates a plantation in Ghana in West Africa with a size of 49,000 hectares (ha) or about 490 square kilometers (km2). The operation focuses on sustainability and coexistence with local society, supporting the transformation of Africa into a renewable energy superpower (note: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the Climate Summit in Nairobi in early September 2023).
Our unique approach involves creating a global leader and brand in carbon offsetting at industrial scale. We use modern agricultural, social, and infrastructural systems, for an efficient carbon capture and reduction cycle – with a clear focus on transparency and the highest quality standards.
Private 5G networks for the digitalisation of sustainable agriculture and forestry
aconnic is setting new standards in the digitalisation of agriculture. With our many years of experience in the development and construction of telecommunications networks, we are planning the construction of the world’s largest private 5G network on our plantations. This network not only ensures reliable connectivity and communication, but also increases the efficiency and productivity of all agricultural process steps.
The combination of infrastructure, networking of sensors, integration of drones and artificial intelligence sets new standards.
We combine sustainability and cutting-edge technology to shape and promote a healthy future and economic development in Ghana and worldwide. Insights and experiences flow into the further development of our products and solutions.
The existing goal of aconnic to operate in a climate-neutral manner regarding emissions from 2030 onwards requires a reduction of emissions in the Scope 1, 2 and 3 areas to “net zero”. According to current technological possibilities, a complete reduction of emissions is not possible. Therefore, there is a need to bind CO2 through qualified and certified projects and thus to compensate for existing emissions. In addition, climate-neutral energy sources from biomass can make a total “net zero” contribution.
The plantation in Ghana, Africa, which belongs to aconnic, covers a total of 49,000 hectares (ha) or 490 square kilometers (km2) and is thus as large as the city of Munich (Germany). In the future, there is the option and the plan to increase this area.
At the existing scale, the aconnic plantation has the potential to store 2,000,000 tonnes of CO2 per year with a very fast-growing bamboo. aconnic thus has the world’s largest plantation for the absorption and storage of carbon dioxide.
Currently, the area is being reforested with indigenous trees, eucalyptus, and bamboo. Existing stands on around 10,000 hectares are already more than 10 years old and sustainably reforested.
The plantation consists of three lots. Between the lots there is natural open space for settlements and local farming and livestock breeding.
In this way, aconnic guarantees appropriate coexistence with the indigenous population of Ghana and provides jobs and further development.
Biomass production
Ghana was carefully selected and offers very good conditions to produce biomass, which can be used to store carbon dioxide and produce green energy sources:
Biomass ressources
Ghana has a rich existing flora that is ideally suited for reforestation and thus the production of biomass.
Climatic conditions
The climate is favourable for growth. This guarantees sustainable and productive agriculture.
Sustainable agriculture
Ghana has been increasingly supporting and promoting sustainable agriculture and environmental protection in recent years.
Application of Article 6 of the 2015 Paris Agreement
Ghana ratified the UN Paris Agreement of 2015 in 2016 and enables the application of Article 6.2 of the Agreement. This enables the cooperation of CO2 certificates from the corresponding projects.
Carbon dioxide and carbon: relevance to climate change
Our planet is based on carbon, an element that makes life on Earth possible. Human activities have thrown the natural carbon cycle out of balance. The release of sequestered carbon through the burning of fossil fuels has driven CO2 levels in the atmosphere to alarming levels.
The Paris Climate Agreement of 2015 commits the world to reducing fossil carbon emissions to “zero” to limit global warming to a maximum of 1.5 degrees based on pre-industrial levels. We need technologies to actively reduce CO2 levels in the atmosphere.
Vegetable carbon
Plants are uniquely able to filter carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air and produce organic compounds.
When this organic mass, with the bound carbon dioxide, rots or is burnt, the carbon stored in it is released back into the atmosphere. However, if the organic mass is heated in the absence of air, useful, energy-rich gases are produced and at the same time the carbon it contains is stabilised – the coveted plant carbon is produced, and an additionally produced pyrolysis oil can be used as biofuel (e.g., bioethanol). The combustion of bioethanol is a non-fossil energy source, and the prior binding of carbon dioxide means that no new emissions are released. This contributes to the overall reduction of carbon dioxide emissions.
Vegetable carbon and biological energy sources are thus a decisive contribution to mitigating climate change.
Vegetable Carbon
Stabilised
carbon,
bound for life.
Bioenergy
The term “bioenergy” refers to energy obtained from biological materials or biomass. This biomass can come from various organic sources. The energy from biomass can be obtained in various ways, including, for example:
Biomethanol and bioethanol
These are often called biofuels and are made from plants. They are often used in the transport industry to replace or supplement fossil fuels.
Biochar (vegetable carbon / biochar)
This is a form of carbon produced from biomass through pyrolysis. It can be used in agriculture for soil improvement or as a sustainable energy source.
Bioenergy is considered a renewable energy source because biomass sources are renewable if they are managed sustainably. The use of bioenergy helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to climate change mitigation, especially when used instead of fossil fuels.
Smart Farming – Private 5G Networks in Agriculture
aconnic is setting new standards by applying experience in the construction and operation of telecommunications networks in future-oriented climate protection projects.
Experienced in highly reliable gigabit networks in both fixed and private 5G networks, the company is using its technological know-how to take existing forestry and agriculture to a new level. On 49,000 hectares of plantation, the planned construction of a private 5G network will enable comprehensive digitalisation. This network connects sensors across the site to link them with artificial intelligence (AI). The result is an autonomous drone system that covers and surveys the entire site. This system enables real-time data collection on crop condition, cultivation, and growth.
This advanced technology captures valuable insights and information in real time, allowing farming processes to be optimised and efficiency to be increased. It will also create a monitoring system to detect and prevent bush and forest fires.
The application area will be the largest private 5G network in the world and underlines the leadership role for innovation and technology in sustainable business models.
Communication in real time
The 5G network enables lightning-fast and reliable communication between management, employees, machines, and sensors. This means real-time monitoring, efficient coordination, and seamless data exchange.
Remote monitoring and control
Sensors and IoT devices transmit real-time data, including soil moisture, temperature, and humidity. We can control and optimise machinery remotely.
Precision agriculture
Our 5G campus network enables precise control of irrigation, fertilization and crop protection. Through real-time data, we maximise yields and save resources.
Data analytics and AI
Fast data transmission enables advanced data analytics and AI applications. Big Data analyses lead to pattern recognition, predictions, and process optimisation.
Improved security
With the 5G campus network, we are implementing effective surveillance and access control systems. Facilities, theft protection and employees are safe.
To produce charcoal or bioethanol from available biomass resources (e.g., bamboo), some basic steps are required. Besides the procurement of the biomass, which must be cultivated, harvested, and prepared on the plantation, a pyrolysis plant is also required to produce charcoal and bioethanol.
Pyrolysis plants:
Key to the sustainable production of vegetable carbon and bioethanol
A pyrolysis plant is a device used to convert biomass into various useful products, including vegetable charcoal and bioethanol. This process, known as pyrolysis, takes place in the absence of oxygen or at very low oxygen levels. Here is a brief explanation:
Pyrolysis plant
This is a technical device specially designed to bring biomass such as wood, plant residues or other organic materials into a hot environment without oxygen being supplied. The temperature and conditions in the facility are designed so that the biomass decomposes chemically without burning.
Vegetable carbon
During the pyrolysis process, part of the biomass is converted into plant carbon. Vegetable carbon is a stable carbon material that stores carbon in a form that is stable for a long time. It can be used in the soil to improve soil quality and sequester carbon in the soil.
Biomethanol
Another part of the biomass is released in the form of gases and liquids. These gases can be collected and used to produce bioethanol. Biomethanol is a renewable fuel derived from biomass and serves as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels.
Pyrolysis is an important component of biomass conversion technology and contributes to the production of sustainable products such as vegetable charcoal and biomethanol, which help to sequester carbon and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
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