The Great Green Energy Machine

Enlarge Image Image Gallery An outside view of the GEM3T120. Courtesy of IST Energy

Two goals of the green movement are reducing waste and finding ways to produce clean, efficient energy. If a product can accomplish one of these tasks, it’s a good one. But what about one that does both simultaneously? Well, that would be a real gem.

To be more specific, it would be a GEM3T120.

This revolutionary waste-to-energy conversion system transforms trash in the form of paper, plastic, food, wood and agricultural waste into clean energy. The GEM eliminates 95 percent of waste (5 percent turns into “innocuous ash” according to the IST Energy website), and can process up to three tons daily. According to a recent press release from IST Energy, the manufacturers of the GEM, one system could produce enough energy “to power and heat a 200,000-square-foot building housing more than 500 people.” For a machine that is roughly the size of a Dumpster—8 feet tall, taking up about the same space as three parking spots—that’s impressive.

So how does this miracle machine work?

Waste is fed into the GEM and eventually converted into fuel pellets. These pellets are then gasified (not burned), which creates synthetic gas to power the generator, which in turn produces electricity.

Are there any negative side effects?

According to the same press release, “the GEM is eco-friendly and carbon negative, significantly diminishing greenhouse gases by 540 tons annually. The GEM also powers itself with the clean energy it produces, supplying users with a self-sustaining alternative energy source.”