HDR Engineering's "Onions-to-Energy System" Wins 2010 EEA Grand Conceptor Award
HDR Engineering's groundbreaking waste-to-energy system fueled solely from onions was named the year's most outstanding engineering achievement at the 44th Annual Engineering Excellence Awards Gala.
HDR Engineering worked with the Oxnard, Calif.-based Gills Onions — the world's largest processor of fresh-cut onions — to develop the Advanced Energy Recovery System (AERS), which converts 200,000 pounds of daily onion waste (peels, stems, and tops) into biogas which powers 300 kilowatt fuel cells to supply plant operations.
The AERS satisfies 60 percent of Gills Onions' annual power needs — an estimated $1.1 million savings — and promises to alter how food processing waste is treated in the future.
More than 500 attended the 2010 black-tie EEA Gala in April which recognized 163 projects from throughout the world and was held during the ACEC Annual Convention in Washington, D.C.
Known as the "Academy Awards" of the engineering industry, the Gala applauds the accomplishments of private engineering firms in an elegant celebration attended by industry leaders, Members of Congress, federal agency officials and the media.
The 2011 EEA Gala will be held on Friday, April 1, 2011 at the Grand Hyatt in Washington, D.C. Deadline for submissions to the 2011 Engineering Excellence Awards is January 7, 2011.
Submissions
All submissions must be entered through your respective state Member Organization. For state deadlines and entry requirements, please contact your nearest Member Organization. Click here for Member Organization contact information.
If you have any questions, please contact Daisy Nappier at 202-347-7474 or via e-mail dnappier@acec.org.
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