Using Used Vegetable Oil to Generate Power

I learned about the Vegawatt Power Generation System from the Smart Planet blog which I subscribe and link to over here. The units throw out several very interesting possibilities especially for India and the Middle east, all countries where a lot of fried food is consumed and where the used oil almost invariably goes down the drain. Needless to say, these are also nations with severe electricity shortages. The system could be used to supplement power generation in large hotels and possibly also on a community collection basis. I need to find out more - I'll shoot these guys an e-mail and report back. Some very interesting stuff here!

A Shining Example Set by Westchester County, New York

Today's New York Times has this excellent piece about an initiative by the authorities in Westchester County, New York, to collect used frying oil and process it into biodiesel: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/08/nyregion/westchester/08greasewe.html?partner=permalink&exprod=permalink Under normal circumstances, in the USA, restaurants have to pay to get rid of used cooking oil. Under this new system, the county collects it free and uses it to drive several of its vehicles.

While I always think of parrallels to SOuth Asia, in India, at least, the oil would go down the drain to happily pollute ground water. Unfortunately, that doesn't drive the soot-belching Indian buses or trucks. Maybe there is a lesson to be learned here - but is India ready to learn it? I have my doubts.