Grease into Electricity: Renewable Energy Articles: Eco20/20

Grease into Electricity

As we advance more into the 21st century, technology will advance as well. A very interesting advancement is the idea about turning grease into electricity. Recently we wrote about the scientific breakthroughs of algae being converted into biofuel. Today it is Grease, not for biofuel, but electricity. Yup, that artery clogging substance that smells great when you pass your favorite fast food joint.

As new ways of creating electricity arise, grease may become a real money maker. One company has started to do just this. Owl Power has started installing machines into restaurant to convert leftover grease into electricity.

This is revolutionary. Pretend you run local eatery and use lots grease. At the end of the day you put that grease into the bin out back. (If you have ever had the job of emptying the grease into the bin, you know how fun that is!) You have to pay for the bin and the pick up. You also still have to pay for electricity from you local electric company. With this new breakthrough, it all gets wrapped up into one self sustaining machine.

This coming year should see many smaller scales of the grease to electricity version. This is similar to what is being done with cow dung. A great fact to consider as you look into this for your eatery, you can make up the investment within about 10 years.

The sustainability movement is well on its way. While it will not replace the need for power plants and other large producers of electricity, it may help on the overload onto the burdened systems. This is truly a great innovation in clean energy.