March 28, 2024
Global Renewable News

ROCKY MOUNTAIN POWER
Blue Sky Customers Fund First Biomass Project at High School in Moab

May 17, 2016

With the help of Rocky Mountain Power's Blue Sky customers and generous donors, the Grand County School District is getting ready to flip the switch on a unique alternative energy project. The waste vegetable oil cogeneration plant at Grand County High School is the first of its kind for Rocky Mountain Power and one of a few biomass projects in the country.

The 60-kilowatt generator creates power from discarded waste vegetable oil from local restaurants. The generator captures waste heat and supplies 45 percent of the power for the high school, approximately $20,000 to $25,000 each year. The district originally considered using solar power but determined this project would be a better option to cut peak-load costs and lower energy bills.

"This is a very green solution to the issue of waste vegetable oil that will benefit the community and the schools in a symbiotic relationship," said Dr. Scott Crane, Grand County School District superintendent.

Blue Sky customers contributed $125,000 to the project. The school hopes to expand the project to become a 150-kW facility, which would save the school district approximately $50,000 to $60,000 per year.

"We are grateful to our Blue Sky customers for contributing to new ways to provide clean energy here in Utah," said Doug Bennion, vice-president of Rocky Mountain Power engineering services and asset management. "This is a groundbreaking project that takes waste and makes it useful again. It also demonstrates to students and community members how this exciting new technology protects the environment."

Students at Grand County High School will have a unique educational opportunity by working on and maintaining the cogeneration plant. The school also has a website that shows the amount of fuel collected, how it produces power and how much pollution is reduced.

Grand County School District is an early adopter in the Blue Sky program. The district has purchased 12,000 kilowatt hours of Blue Sky per year since 2004, helping Moab to become the nation's first EPA Green Power community.

"I am very pleased to see the school district took advantage of this new technology and Rocky Mountain Power saw the benefit for the project," said Moab Mayor Dave Sakrison. "This is an innovative renewable source of energy that could be a model for others. This project prevents spent' grease from local restaurants from going to our sewer plant which has caused issues with our collection system and the plant itself."

Moab's tourist industry has restaurants that produce more waste oil than other communities. The cogeneration plant is one of seven Blue Sky community projects in Moab. The most recent award in Moab will be used to add 25 additional kilowatts of solar to Moab City Hall. Blue Sky customers have supported 118 community projects in Utah since 2006.

"Big kudos to the school district and all who have made this project a reality. It's a fantastic example of turning trash into treasure," said Heila Ershadi, Moab council member. "I'm sure this model of energy production will teach and inspire Grand County students, the community and beyond about diverse, clean and less expensive energy sources."

For as little as $1.95 per month, customers can participate in our Blue Sky renewable energy program and help bring new renewable energy facilities on-line.

For more information

Rocky Mountain Power
201 S Main St
Salt Lake City Utah
United States 84116
www.rockymountainpower.net


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