V.3 Polydome Concept Overview Potential Applications There are a number of unique applications to which the Polydome concept can be applied some of them more obvious and straightforward than others. One of the basic operating assumptions of this initial Polydome test model is that it is a food production system. However, the Polydome model can also be used to produce non-food crops, such as fiber, medicinal products, or chemical feedstocks. It can also be combined with other industrial processes, such as restaurants, shops, or food processing facilities. Combining multiple functions with a Polydome greenhouse could create more opportunities for material cycling as well as provide added economic value. Community Integration One of the most obvious functions for a Polydome greenhouse, which has already been mentioned, is to integrate it directly into a residential community. The community and the greenhouse could derive mutual benefit from one another: a direct market on one hand, and a source of fresh, local food on the other. Furthermore, the residential community could provide the necessary nutrient sources for the closing of the greenhouse’s nutrient cycle. The increasing demand for productive urban agriculture makes this an interesting possibility. Assuming that one hectare of Polydome production can provide 80% of the dietary variety of a population of 2000 people (which it can if the product ratios are recalibrated), then a city of half a million 38 residents would only require 250 hectares of Polydome facilities to provide 80% of its nourishment. These could be distributed throughout the city at regular intervals. Processing Facility The cultivation of a large variety of crops leads to the risk that not all of them will be sold before they spoil. In this situation, it makes sense to co-locate the greenhouse with a small processing facility where crops can be processed into value-added products such as essential oils, jams, chutneys, or dried products. This will prevent spoilage from occurring, while increasing the economic yield from the greenhouse products. Industrial Feedstock Production A potentially unique opportunity for a Polydome greenhouse is to use it for the production of biological feedstock for industrial facilities. Fine chemical manufacturers often require a variety of bio-based products, from mushrooms to herbal and flower extracts. These biological products are often difficult to track in terms of their “eco” credentials, such as in the case of certain oils and flowers. Having more control over their production and easier access to these feedstocks could be a major benefit for such industrial players, particularly as demand for biological feedstock grows. Beer Garden Food production facilities also often require a range of agricultural products. In particular, breweries need a certain mix of crops (hops, barley, other grains and flavoring agents) in order to produce their final product. These could all be grown in a specially-designed polyculture greenhouse, which could also serve as a visitor’s center and tasting hall for the brewery. Restaurant or Shop Siting a Polydome greenhouse together with a restaurant or shop is another logical step because it provides access to a direct sales outlet. This is the most likely means of connecting a Polydome facility to a local community. A second benefit of co-siting with a retail facility is that facility’s wastes can be recovered and reused within the greenhouse. Co-siting with Industry or Agriculture An option that has already been mentioned elsewhere is the opportunity for locating the Polydome facility near existing agriculture or industry for the purpose of symbiotic material sharing (recycling of waste heat, green wastes, manure, or other materials). This is a great alternative from the perspective of material reuse. Pagina 37
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