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The world is already moving.

Institute of Science Tokyo's hydride-iron catalyst (2025): The conventional Haber-Bosch process needs harsh conditions — 400–600°C and 100–300 atmospheres. A hydride-iron catalyst developed at the Institute of Science Tokyo demonstrated the potential to synthesize ammonia at a much lower temperature and pressure, around 50°C. Research results suggest a 280% increase in energy return. If commercialized, this could enable distributed, small-scale green-ammonia production.

Tsubame BHB (Japan): A startup aiming to commercialize low-temperature, low-pressure ammonia synthesis. It's approaching synthesis on equipment far smaller than conventional Haber-Bosch plants — a promising fit with the Shiga model of on-site production using a region's surplus electricity.

Integration with surplus power: Solar and wind output variability can be absorbed through a "surplus power → water electrolysis → ammonia synthesis" process — a two-birds-one-stone design that simultaneously balances the power grid and secures food.

Solar and wind (variable sources): Solar currently accounts for about 11% of Japan's generation — plenty of room to grow. Offshore wind has the world's 6th-largest EEZ potential, yet current deployment is extremely limited. Output variability is offset by biomethane generation, molten-salt reactors, and pumped storage.

Hydro (quasi-baseload, storage function): Substantial room remains to add capacity to existing dams. Small-scale hydro using agricultural irrigation channels functions as a nationwide, distributed power source. Pumped-storage hydro is, in effect, the most mature large-scale battery technology available.

Geothermal (24/7 stable, rural-distributed): Japan holds the world's 3rd-largest geothermal resource, yet current utilization is only a few percent. Regulatory review of the Hot Springs Act and the National Parks Act is the biggest barrier. Its value as a baseload source with 24-hour stable supply is unmatched by other natural-energy sources — the most realistic baseload candidate for the Regional Cycle Integration Model.

Why we say "natural energy": "Renewable energy" is a human-centered definition — energy that regenerates and replenishes fast enough for human consumption cycles. LFS uses "natural energy" to mean tapping the energy flows the Earth and solar system already possess. Even the thorium and uranium in molten-salt reactors — elements forged by the universe — can be placed in the same context as "stardust energy."

Recycling methods: Dry processing (pyrometallurgy) is simple, using high-temperature treatment, but has a low recovery rate. Wet processing (hydrometallurgy) selectively recovers each metal using acid solution, achieving a 90% lithium recovery rate. Next-generation direct recycling (regenerating electrode material directly) is targeting commercial scale in the 2030s.

Connection to farm equipment: As electric farm equipment spreads, the volume of LiB waste in rural areas is rising. A design where rural areas serve as collection hubs for spent batteries (part of the agricultural function in the Regional Cycle Integration Model) and handle recycling through the conversion function brings a new revenue source to rural communities.

Connection to gasification-melting furnaces: Residue left after recovering metals and rare metals is processed in a gasification-melting furnace (1,200–1,800°C), yielding slag (roadbed material) and waste heat. This is positioned as the final step toward zero-landfill emissions.

Agricultural function (feedstock supply): Livestock manure, rice straw, food residue, thinned wood, agricultural irrigation channels (small hydro), and spent LiB collection. Waste-disposal cost converts into revenue from feedstock sales. Called the "agricultural function" to avoid confusion with third-sector entities.

Conversion function (energy conversion & manufacturing): Biogas plants, green-ammonia production facilities, natural-energy equipment, LiB recycling hubs, and gasification-melting furnaces. Once molten-salt reactors are commercialized, they'll be incorporated as a baseload source. A regional energy public utility carries out this function.

Consumption & management function (regional use, grid management): Supplying electricity, gas, and hot water to homes, farms, and public facilities. Selling surplus power into the wider grid. Managing carbon credits. The loop closes as liquid fertilizer and green ammonia return to the agricultural function.

Want to protect food → want to stop warming → want the carbon cycle to close locally within the region → the Regional Cycle Integration Model is needed → rural areas become sellers of energy → people can stay in rural areas → food culture and farming pass to the next generation → food gets protected. The loop closes.

Contrast with Denmark: Danish farmers became owners of an energy company by forming a cooperative. The shift of rural areas from "receiving side" to "selling side" achieves both rural economic independence and the continuity of food culture at the same time.