Kalamazoo, MI (March 17, 2010) – Pro Renewables, a new Michigan-based energy solutions company, launched today at Kalamazoo Valley Community College, will lead the Midwest deployment of the Green Machine, an innovative technology that turns waste heat into usable electricity.
The company, a joint venture of The Windquest Group, an investment management firm, and Pro Services, a specialized trades contractor, holds the rights to sell, install and maintain the Green Machine in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Kentucky and West Virginia.
“We are pleased to announce this new venture bringing the Green Machine to the Midwest,” said Dick DeVos, president of The Windquest Group. “This region generates plenty of waste heat. It is a basic byproduct of industry. The Green Machine technology will help our customers capitalize on this free and abundant source of energy, increase efficiency and produce clean electricity.”
Waste heat is energy that escapes from, among other sources, inefficient machines and industrial processes. Approximately two-thirds of the fuel burned to generate power in America is lost as heat. This is particularly true in the American Midwest which has a broad base of energy intensive industrial activity. In fact, Midwest states and communities could meet many of their current energy innovation goals simply by recovering the waste heat produced by the region’s manufacturing plants, according to U.S. Department of Energy research.
The Green Machine Advantage
Pioneered and manufactured by Nevada-based ElectraTherm, the Green Machine is the most economically viable technology in the global marketplace capable of capturing waste heat to generate electricity. The technology enables industrial customers to dramatically increase energy efficiency, reduce consumption of costly fuel and decrease air emissions.
The demonstration unit unveiled today at the community college’s Michigan Technical Education Center is the first Green Machine installed in Michigan and the Midwest. The cost of purchasing and installing the Green Machine ranges from $150,000 to $200,000 depending on the complexity of the installation. The payback period ranges from two to five years depending on electric rates and available financial incentives. Six machines currently are installed worldwide in a variety of applications, including boilers, stationary engines and geothermal and solar thermal systems.
“Waste heat is the largest untapped energy source in the Midwest,” said Chris Schauer, chief executive officer of Pro Services. “With its short payback period, an investment in the Green Machine makes good business sense and it’s the right thing to do for the environment.”
The Midwest Market
The Midwest is an ideal location for the Green Machine. Waste heat is abundantly available in the region’s factories, power plants, paper and steel mills, food processing facilities and other heavy industry. Michigan alone produces enough waste heat to power tens of thousands of Green Machines, according to a recent study by the Natural Resources Defense Council.
ProRenewables anticipates high demand for the technology as a growing number of businesses and manufacturers aim to cut costs, use energy more efficiently and safeguard the environment. The company currently is working with ElectraTherm to develop a production schedule that best meets the needs of the Midwest market.
“The Midwest has the manufacturing facilities, the labor pool and the demand to apply the Green Machine in a wide range of applications, including stationary engines and boilers as well as geothermal and solar sites,” said Bill Olson, ElectraTherm’s vice president of business development. “Pro Renewables will be a major driver in the U.S. renewable energy market. We are proud to call them partners.”
Contacts
Andrea Groom or Andy Guy
Wondergem PR for ProRenewables and The Windquest Group
(616) 235-7467
andrea@wondergem.com or andy@wondergem.com
Celeste Dodge
Corporate Communications Manager
ElectraTherm, Inc.
775-398-4680 or cdodge@electratherm.com
Background
The Case for Gray Power
By Lisa Margonelli, The Nation
February 15, 2010
Will Waste Heat Be Bigger than Solar?
By Michael Kanellos, GreenTech Media
January 24, 2009
Why aren’t we harnessing waste heat?
By Moises Velasquez-Manoff
October 8, 2009
Energy Future: A Green Energy Alternative for Michigan
Natural Resources Defense Council
Combined Heat and Power: Effective Energy Solutions for a Sustainable Future
U.S. Department of Energy
Additional Background
About Pro Renewables
Pro Renewables, LLC is a clean energy solutions company committed to providing leadership to advance sustainable business practices. Our goal is to promote responsible use of resources, minimize environmental impact and build long-lasting relationships with our customers. We operate primarily in the greater Great Lakes region and we specialize in sales, installation and maintenance of cutting-edge technology that produces electric power from waste heat. For more information please visit www.prorenewables.com.
About ElectraTherm, Inc
ElectraTherm, Inc., provides fuel free power generation systems to industry worldwide. The company’s proven, patented Twin Screw Expander enables its line of heat to power generating systems to make electricity from low to mid temperature heat that would otherwise go to waste. ElectraTherm’s fuel-free, emission-free and low cost ‘Green Machines’ offer the industry’s shortest payback period on investment. For more information on ElectraTherm and its clean tech, green power products, please visit www.electratherm.com.
About Pro Services
Pro Services, Inc. is a trades contractor specializing in pipefitting, plumbing, rigging, electrical and other self performing trades. We serve the greater Great Lakes region and strive to build long-term customer relationships by providing exceptional construction and maintenance service. For more information please visit www.proservices.biz.
About The Windquest Group
The Windquest Group, Inc. is a privately-held, Michigan-based investment management firm with diversified holdings in technology, manufacturing and other sectors. Its clean technology investments focus on solutions that are both environmentally and economically sustainable. In particular, Windquest seeks out distributed technologies that increase the productivity of our energy and natural resources, enabling industrial, commercial and residential customers to get more out of what they already use.
