Vegawatt converts waste oil into energy
Vegawatt is a brand new state of the art technology currently being used in restaurants that converts waste oil into electricity and hot water. It was developed by the Owl Power Company in Massachusetts and launched in January 2009.
"The unit, which is about the size of a refrigerator, is placed outside the building the same way central air conditioning units often are. It hooks up through one electrical cable to the electric system. There is also a hot water feed and return system. Your hot water heater won't have to work as hard now because the water has already been partially heated by the system," their website explains.
A Vegawatt unit can provide 10-25% of an establishment's electricity requirements and at $435 per month savings are estimated to be about $850 per month. Money is also saved because the waste oil does not have be removed, as well as the reputation boost from going green.
More info: http://www.vegawatt.com
Love this idea! Several months ago while cleaning dishes, I noticed out of my kitchen window two men removing something from their van and dropping it off in our alley right outside our house. As soon as they saw me they got in their car and sped off. I came to find out the large box was a grease-sump from a nearby restaurant. Turns out a lot of restaurants illegally remove their waste like this because it costs a lot for removal.
To hear that there is a way to turn this waste into electricity is great! Helps the environment and hopefully will keep these grease sumps out of my yard :)
posted by katiek on 1/27/2009 2:33 pm