World’s First Clean Energy System for Restaurants
Owl Power Announces Installation and Operation of World’s First Clean Energy System for Restaurants
Finz Seafood & Grill shows how any restaurant can use
their own waste vegetable oil to generate electricity
and hot water at their back door
Boylston, MA, January 5, 2009 – Owl Power Company, developer and manufacturer of clean energy cogeneration systems, has announced Vegawatt™, an innovative new cogeneration system for restaurants and food service facilities. Vegawatt™ uses waste vegetable oil from any food service operation as a fuel to generate on-site electricity and hot water, saving the restaurant thousands of dollars as well as providing a clean, renewable source of energy. Vegawatt is installed and has been running since early December at Finz Seafood & Grill (www.hipfinz.com).
“As a restaurant operator I am constantly looking for more efficient methods, and especially for costs-saving measures,†said George Carey, owner of Finz Seafood & Grill in Dedham, Massachusetts, the first establishment to install the Vegawattâ„¢ system. “My largest line-item expense is runaway utility costs. The Vegawattâ„¢ system enables me to significantly reduce my energy costs, generate clean energy on-site, and very importantly, reduce the heavy energy footprint of my restaurant.â€
The Vegawattâ„¢ utilizes waste vegetable oil (WVO) from a restaurant deep fryer to prepare a non-toxic fuel. This fuel is used to produce electricity and hot water, which reduces electricity and natural gas purchases. Any food service location with fryers can use the Vegawattâ„¢ system to save $800 monthly. It is a fully automated system that requires no intervention or maintenance by restaurant staff, no additional chemicals, and produces no liquid byproducts.
“The Vegawattâ„¢ is quite impressive,†stated Peter Christie, President of the Massachusetts Restaurant Association. “It is a breakthrough in technology that will allow for a better environment while making use of oil that would normally be thrown out.â€
Most restaurants pay to dispose of their used cooking oil. Some owners have begun to receive compensation for this oil, typically $0.10 to $0.25 per gallon. Vegawatt™ owners will achieve a value of $2.55 per gallon. New green energy incentives and Renewable Energy Certificates (REC’s) will increase the payback to the restaurant.
“As businesses everywhere are taking a hard look at their energy costs and their environmental impact, Vegawatt™ enables restaurant owners to help themselves and the planet at the same time,†stated James Peret, President and CEO of Owl Power Company.
About Owl Power Company
Owl Power Company is a Massachusetts-based company that manufactures, installs, and operates clean energy cogeneration systems. The company’s flagship product, Vegawatt™, is an automated, combined heat and power (CHP) system that utilizes waste vegetable oil as its feedstock. For more information, visit www.vegawatt.com.
Contact
Ben Prentice
Vice President of Sales
508-636-4645

