Grape Marc and Grape Pomace are terms that are used to define the by-product of wine or juice production,and in many cases interchangeable. However,we need to note that for clarity and discussion:
• Grape Pomace is the residual from the production of wine, or juice and contain the seed, grape rind, and the stem cuttings.
• Grape Marc is the residual once the seed has been removed.
Large amounts of Grape Pomace are produced during a short period of harvesting, and discarded in land field may be detrimental to the environment, such as surface and ground water pollution, foul odor, flies and pests attraction that may spread diseases and oxygen depletion in soil and ground waters by tannins and other compounds the increasing consumer demand for the use of natural over synthetic compounds for a clean label food, and the increased attention to sustainable of agricultural practices, also are driving forward the applications for grape pomace
Co-opting pomace for commercial use is a one-two punch to winemakers’ waste problems. Not only could it increase the economic value of the grape and wine industry, it could also minimize environmental contamination grape pomace is also a rich source of natural antioxidants such as proanthocyanidins, anthocyanins and ellagicacid. These antioxidants bind to free radicals—toxic by-products of oxygen metabolism that can harm the body—so those radicals can’t bind to and damage cells. These pomace ingredients, as well as grape seed oil, have been used in dietary supplements, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.
Common Methods of Handling Grape Pomace
- Composting: Windrow and Field spread.
- Unprocessed and fed to livestock
- Unprocessed and spread as fertiliser
- Extraction of ethanol, and byproducts
The Downside to these Methods
- Tremendous amount of fossil fuels used.
- Significant GHG release to atmosphere.
- Unprocessed Pomace has a short shelf life.
- Digestion and transfer issues.
- High release of contaminates to ground water, the atmosphere.
- Complicated and expensive process.
How Solar Energy is the Sollution
Through technology and scientific research, scientists have been able to successfully find ways to conserve finite resources. They have been able to discover alternates to renewable energy. One of these is solar energy. By combining modern day technology and sunlight, the production of solar energy has become a possibility.
Large solar panels are used to absorb the powerful solar rays emitted from the sun and convert these into power resources used to light up residential and commercial areas.
Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always
bring your own sunshine
MARGARET MEAD
Due to scarcity, inflation has led to energy costs rising. Furthermore, the use of hydro-generated electricity and fossil fuels has led to excess energy being produced. This leads to over-billing for electricity that is not used.
Net metering has become possible through solar panels. When energy is produced through these panels, it is directly converted from sunlight. Therefore, there is no wastage of water and excessive production is not problematic. This is because net metering allows organizations and businesses to reserve the energy and distribute it.