Plant starts making energy from SF table scraps
on Tues., Oct 24
University
of California, Davis
WHAT: Start-up ceremonies for a new state-of-the-art
waste-to-energy plant at UC Davis, the Biogas
Energy Project, which will turn tons of table
scraps from Bay Area restaurants into clean, renewable
energy.
WHEN: Tuesday, Oct. 24
10 a.m.: Speakers
10:30 a.m.: Ceremonial photo opportunities (see
Visuals below)
WHERE: UC Davis campus south of I-80
WHO: Project leaders and primary interview subjects
are:
* Ruihong Zhang, UC Davis professor of biological
and agricultural engineering
* Dave Konwinski, CEO, Onsite Power Systems Inc.,
Davis
More than 350 people will attend, including UC
Davis scientists and students; officials from
waste-management, food processing and energy firms
nationwide; elected officials (including U.S.
Rep. Dan Lungren, R-Gold River) and representatives
of public agencies (including the California Energy
Commission and California Integrated Waste Management
Board).
VISUALS:
* Overall power plant, with giant steel tanks,
catwalks, generators, dials, etc.
* Shoveling of food scraps onto conveyor belt.
* Two project leaders (man and woman) will throw
big, red power switches to commence flow of electricity.
* Two giant (18-feet-tall), green, dancing figures
will quickly inflate and sway on catwalks above
the project. (Inflatables will be hidden until
energy start-up, for fun surprise effect.)
* Photographers will have access to catwalks for
overhead shots.
* Video b-roll will probably be available Monday.
BACKGROUND: The goal of the Biogas Energy Project
is to refine and demonstrate the commercial viability
of new technology developed at UC Davis.
Starting Tuesday, the project will turn tons of
table scraps from Bay Area restaurants into clean,
renewable energy.
Eight tons of leftovers weekly (and later, as
much as eight tons daily) will be processed. The
leftovers will come from premier restaurants including
San Francisco's Slanted Door, Jardiniere, Scoma's,
Boulevard and Zuni Cafe, and Oakland's Oliveto
and Scott's Seafood.
Each ton of broccoli spears, cantaloupe rinds
and fish bones should produce enough energy on
average to power and heat 10 California homes.
The natural gas produced could also be used to
power cars and trucks.
The Biogas Energy Project is the first large-scale
test of a new technology developed in the past
eight years by Ruihong Zhang, a UC Davis professor
of biological and agricultural engineering. The
technology, called an "anaerobic phased solids
digester," has been licensed from the university
and adapted for commercial use by Onsite Power
Systems Inc.
The goal of this innovative public-private alliance
is to divert organic matter -- stuff made from
plants and animals, such as food waste and yard
clippings -- away from landfills and into the
energy grid.
Major research funding was provided by the California
Energy Commission's Public Interest Energy Research
(PIER) program.
DIRECTIONS AND PARKING: Take I-80 to Davis. Exit
at main UC Davis exit and travel south on Old
Davis Road. Just past railroad tracks, turn left
on first road, at signs for wastewater treatment
plant and Center for Equine Health. Take first
left into wastewater plant grounds. Follow signs
to Biogas Energy Project, straight ahead. You
will be directed to parking.
UC Davis News Service
Media contact: Sylvia Wright
(530) 752-7704,
swright@ucdavis.edu
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