Resource World Magazine

o c t o b e r / n o v e m b e r 2 0 1 4 www.resourceworld.com 59 nance must also be included. For the citizens of Nevis, their new source of geothermal energy will provide affordable power, and for the first time, many of them will be able to use such items as refrigerators, air conditioning, and televisions – a life-altering event, indeed. LaWnMoWeR tURnS gRaSS CLiPPingS into bURnabLe FUeL – no gaSoLine ReqUiRed EcoMow Technologies, founded by a group of engineers and business students from George Mason University in Fairfax Virginia, has developed E-Mow, a small, self-fueled mower or harvester. E-Mow cuts lawns like other mowers, but then uses a vortex dryer to remove water from the clippings. It then heats and pressurizes the clippings to create pellets. "The pellets go in the collection bin at the top of the machine, there's a reaction, fuel gas comes out the side, and you can use that in an engine to create power," said Jason Force, the team leader. The dried pellets can be used for other applications, such as heating or power generation. Unlike many conventional mowers that use a rotating blade, the E-Mow uses an electrically-driven bar cutter. This allows the mower to operate without maintaining the kinetic energy required in a rotary blade system. The bar cutter is followed by a pelletizer that presses the grass into pellets in a manner similar to a meat grinder, except that higher pressures and temperatures are used. The formed pellets, obtained by harvesting, are dropped into a collection bin where they are progressively dried with hot air from the gasifier. Dried pellets are then converted to a fuel gas in a device called a gasifier. The sealed gasifier design is a partial combustion type, which uses a high temperature to convert the gas pellets to a fuel usable in a conventional gas engine. The fuel is filtered, cooled, and mixed with air before it is used. An internal alternator generates power for electrically driven components as well as for the com- puter controls, guidance, and communications. Wet biomass (such as grass) can be processed if the material is dry by the time it reaches the pyrolysis zone. Pyrolysis is the physics behind the gasifier, which comprises the decomposi- tion of bio material in the presence of heat, but without oxygen. Hydrogen gas and gaseous hydrocarbons are liberated, leaving primarily carbon char. The output is highly flammable gas. The E-Mow pellets provide an eco-friendly renewable solid fuel technology that can be retrofitted into existing vehicles. The plan is to significantly shift energy use from fossil fuels to bio- mass sources while lowering the energy costs. Using the dried pellets, people in developing economies will be able to implement local fuel production sources for power, heating, and equipment. Commercial mowing operations will eliminate fuel costs and reduce labor costs as well as achieve a higher profit margin from the resale of processed biomass. Force says the technology will first be used to create alfalfa feed for livestock and also for powering commercial lawn mowers. Force guarantees the E-Mow will be coming to a lawn near you by the end of summer 2015. neW PoWeR CoRPoRation PRovideS eneRgY FRoM natURaL gaS WeLLS The Aboriginal Power Corp. (APC), located in Kelowna, British Columbia, has bought a 51% ownership stake in a natural gas well in Alberta, Canada. APC plans to convert clean natural gas into electricity directly, at the well head, without using a dis- tribution pipeline. APC is an exclusive incubation company of Sunvault Energy [SVLT-OTC]. Under a recent agreement, Aboriginal Power owns 51% of the limited partnership, while Northern Lights Energy and Power Ltd. located in Thorhild, Alberta, owns 49%. The newly formed company, Northern Lights Aboriginal Power Corp, LP (NLAPC) will provide electricity to Aboriginal Groups (First Nations), including businesses, within their territories across the country. This service will reduce power pricing and increase the value proposition for Aboriginal Groups (First Nations) and their business partners. NLAPC has expan- sion plans beyond Aboriginal (First Nations) lands to other areas, such as municipalities and counties, as well as to commercial and industrial sites in urban centers across all sectors. "We are enthusiastic about the power generating economics surrounding abandoned natural gas wells where currently dis- tribution and pricing make margins very slim," commented Gary Monaghan, President and CEO of Sunvault Energy. "At certain power peak positions, converting natural gas to electricity can multiply revenue up to six times. Natural gas conversion generator equipment is readily available for these purposes," he continued. "Working with First Nations is a commitment that Sunvault Energy is dedicated to," said Monaghan. "This market segment will create additional, long-term partnerships for NLAPC and can be expanded to include modern infrastructure and services at cost-effective rates for First Nations" he continued. "We are pleased to be able to supply infrastructure to build out services including billing, management, marketing, construction and other services as required by our new partnership, which will include both alternate power creation and utility supply," stated Glenn Nicol, designated representative for Northern Lights Energy and Power, and new CEO of Northern Lights Aboriginal Power Corp. "We are excited about this partnership and to start the value creation proposition for First Nations and business associates," he stated. n

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