Fill me up, big boy SACRAMENTO, Calif. In his never-ending search for eco-fuel to power his Hummer, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has hit on a new ally – The E-Fuel Corporation.
The Governator joined the Californian company today at the California State Capitol to unveil the final production model of the E-Fuel MicroFueler, a $10,000 “home” ethanol system.
The MicroFueler creates ethanol fuel (E-Fuel100) from organic waste, and its revolutionizing the green fuel industry.
Its what they used to call turning shit into shinola.
Launched next month in the US, admittedly it is still really for upscale motorists like the Governator – not many others can spend $10,000 on an optional extra fuel source, nor have enough organic waste to feed it. But the price is likely to fall sharply over time.
E-Fuel has identified billions of gallons of organic waste worldwide which will act as the primary source of fuel for MicroFueler production of ethanol. One example is the “beer slurry” discarded from breweries. In Chico, CA. the Sierra Nevada Brewing Co discards 1.6 million gallons of beer slurry each year, and has agreed to test MicroFuelers at its plant, with a goal of creating its own E-Fuel100 ethanol for its fleet of vehicles and other purposes. Being abundant and inexpensive, organic waste will create E-Fuel100 ethanol that will always be available and price competitive against gasoline.
“Since the prototype’s unveiling in May 2008, the MicroFueler design and E-Fuel business model have undergone improvements that will enable consumers and businesses to more easily reduce their carbon footprint by producing energy where it is consumed, and breaking ties to the oil industry and local power grid,” says the company press release.
The first MicroFuelers will start shipping to California consumers in July. The State of California’s Department of General Services is also exploring a pilot program to test the MicroFueler with its flex-fuel vehicles.
The MicroFueler solution includes the new GridBuster electric generator. The MicroFueler supports the optional GridBuster through a direct-connect fuel feed and intelligent control circuitry. The fuel is automatically combined with 50% water for optimal efficiency ad pumped to the GridBuster. Customers are free to drop off the grid and generate their own electricity, realizing substantial savings.
“We are making our state a cleaner, greener and healthier place for everyone, but our goals require revolutionary technologies and low-carbon fuels,” said the Governator “That’s why I get so excited about the entrepreneurial spirit of creative and innovative companies who have been inspired by our groundbreaking environmental policies and are putting people to work right here in California. It’s great news for our economy, our environment and our energy future.”
Schwarzie forgot to to add that its also great news for the eco-Hummer he has wanted so badly for so long.
