FORGOTTEN TECHNOLOGY BROUGHT BACK TO THE FUTURE

2008-10-20 15:05:12 - Parkway Electric sheds new light on renewable energy sources in "Energy is Everywhere" power lunch seminar

A global energy crisis looming over head has sparked a green energy campaign in Michigan that has quickly grown to grand-scale proportions. Michigan government officials, construction companies and consumers alike are voicing their desire to reduce dependency on fossil fuels and in turn, reduce the crippling cost of energy.

To facilitate awareness of the availability and practicality of alternative energy sources, Parkway Electric has taken initiative to offer free information to those who seek it through their power lunch seminar series. On October 9, Parkway Electric hosted sustainable energy experts, Stephen Hamstra, Vice President of GMB Architect/Engineers and Dave Prouty, President and Owner of Heat Transfer International (HTI) at Parkway Electric's new Grand Rapids location.

The speakers outlined the proper execution, benefits and possible set-backs of supplementing or replacing traditional fuels with geothermal energy or biomass gasification to a captive audience. Addressing attendees first, Stephen Hamstra shared his expertise in geothermal technologies. Geothermal energy, as Hamstra described, is derived from naturally occurring heat contained in dry, hot rock, molten rock or water below the earth's surface that can be harnessed to generate electricity and to heat and cool buildings.

'Over time, geo-exchange greatly reduces heating and cooling costs for our clients. Waste energy from one process becomes the source for another process,' said Hamstra. 'With Geothermal energy, we have the ability to heat and cool an entire university without the use of fossil fuels and doing so could cut heating costs by 40-50% and cooling costs by 15-20%.'

Although the prospect of eliminating our use of fossil fuels is just starting to gain momentum, this seemingly modern technology echoes from the past. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, archaeological evidence of the first use of geothermal resources in North America dates back more than 10,000 years with the settlement of the Paleo Indian tribe at hot springs.

Next to take the floor, HTI President and Owner, Dave Prouty explains Biomass Gasification and how it too, is a forgotten technology resurrected from literary archives of previous generations. 'We've had knowledge of this technology since the 1930's, but after World War II, fossil fuels were so readily available that we forgot how to be conservative,' said Prouty.

Heat Transfer International manufactures custom designed process equipment, specializing in biomass gasification and electric power generation systems that convert solid and semi-solid biomass, such as animal manures, agricultural waste, hazardous waste materials and waste from landfills into a combustible syngas used to power generators and heating and cooling equipment.

According to Dave Prouty, the energy produced by HTI's equipment is 'carbon neutral,' environmentally friendly and can process 7,000 pounds of waste material in an hour without requiring supplemental heat. 'Anything that was ever alive and can burn can be used for energy. We're making waste useful and creating a huge potential for new jobs in Michigan,' said Dave.

After Governor Granholm signed the renewable energy efficiency legislation on October 6, 2008, a new standard in energy has been established. The bill specifically listed geothermal and biomass technologies as acceptable sources of renewable energies that will carry Michigan to the forefront in clean, sustainable energy technology.

Bringing these experts together, Parkway Electric is a 110-person team of electricians, technicians, engineers, estimators, project managers, management and designers. Parkway specializes in power, communications, and controls and offers services ranging from building and design to service and maintenance.

For additional information on how to RSVP for Parkway Electric's upcoming, 'Harvest Light' seminar, please visit www.parkwayelectric.com or call
616-820-1180.
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