Kieran's ‘eggcellent' energy-saving invention!

A CLONAKILTY engineer has come up with an innovative and eco-friendly product that allows people to use their food waste to create a free source of energy for cooking in the home. 

Kieran Coffey, a well-known inventor, has designed the product and prototype that received funding from the SEAI (Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland) last year   and is now seeking funding to commercially produce what he has called ‘My Gug.’ 

This is the first domestic product to empower homeowners to convert household food waste into energy and can contribute to the lowering of carbon emissions on a global scale and significantly reduce costs of energy consumption in the home.

‘Through the process of anaerobic digestion, the prototype – a micro egg shaped digestor – located in the garden has the capacity to dispose of all food waste, cooked and raw and use it to generate clean and usable cooking gas,’ said Kieran, who installed it at his home in January.

‘SEAI funding dedicated to the support of new products that contribute to a greener economy enable the creation of this uniquely designed product which not only reduces waste but also eliminates odours and hazards associated with storing food waste at home.’

Kieran designed and built the prototype in Clonakilty using local suppliers and expertise and it produces the equivalent of 4.5 cylinders of butane gas per year which he says is a great saving for him and his family.

‘It is going through vigorous testing at present and the results are very positive with the micro egg digestor happily dealing with the food waste produced by a family of five and in turn producing a plentiful supply of cooking gas that has reduced energy costs in our home.’

• For more information on ‘My Gug’ see www.mygug.eu or email Kieran on [email protected]