The University of Alabama in Huntsville is lending its expertise to a state program that helps Alabama manufacturers cut utility costs by using renewable energy.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs announced a $56,084 grant so that UAH can continue providing technical and promotional support to ADECA’s Biomass Energy Program.
The program reimburses up to $75,000 in interest payments for companies to install systems that use wood waste to power manufacturing processes.
University experts will visit companies with an interest in the program to observe existing equipment and operations and determine if conversion to a wood-waste system is feasible.
Once a conversion is completed, the experts will return to ensure the new equipment is operating properly.
The university also will collect and analyze energy-savings data for each conversion project.
UAH will prepare case studies documenting the experience of companies using wood waste for energy production and will participate in renewable-energy conferences and events hosted by manufacturing and forestry associations.
ADECA’s Biomass Energy Program has helped Alabama manufacturers save $22.4 million in utility costs in the last eight years.
The program also reduced waste disposal costs and demand for fossil fuels.
ADECA is administering the grant from the state oil overcharge fund which is supported with money awarded to Alabama and other states in the 1980s as restitution from oil companies for violations of federal price controls.
Dr. David Williams, president of UAH, was notified that the grant had been approved.
