PG&E, the Pacific Gas and Electric Company, announced this Monday the deployment of a top-notch technology solution for power generation in California; a “linear generator” which is a new mobile power generation technology that utilizes natural gas and directed renewable biogas to generate electricity.
The deployment of the solution was for Napa County, in California; at the company’s microgrid site. For the project, PG&E got NextEra Energy and Mainspring Energy as partners. Project’s goal would be to demonstrate the performance of new, cleaner electricity generation technology at a PG&E distribution microgrid; and ensure electrical resiliency for the community of Angwin.
According to the company’s statement, this pilot deployment follows months of collaborations between PG&E and Mainspring engineers. The linear generator will be paired with the onsite diesel generator to ensure reliable service for the community of Angwin. The generator is a hybrid solution, consequently, it will also help to reduce diesel use and emissions during emergencies or electric outages.
On the other hand, NextEra Energy Resources provided the financing for the deployment of the linear generator; as part of its recently announced $150 million purchase and financing agreement with Mainspring. However, the company will also procure biogas for the project by purchasing it from another location. According to the statement, the biogas will be injected into the existing gas distribution infrastructure, offsetting the linear generator’s usage of natural gas.
Also recommended for you: Ida’s toll on the energy sector; operators continue assessments. Click here to read.
PG&E to help customers during outages while reducing emissions
Moreover, Mainspring Energy provided the design of the device itself; after research conducted by the company’s co-founders at Stanford University. The generator converts motion along a straight line into electricity using chemical or thermal energy. Company’s design uses a low-temperature reaction of air and fuel to drive magnets through copper coils to produce electricity efficiently.
Jason Glickman, Executive Vice President, Engineering, Planning & Strategy for PG&E, said about the relevance of the deployment. “We know how important clean, reliable energy is to our customers and communities. We are excited to explore new technologies like the linear generator to help keep customers powered during larger outages; while also reducing the use of diesel backup generators. This is a low-emissions, resilient, and affordable alternative that holds a lot of promise for our future.”
Finally, Mainspring CEO Shannon Miller remarked. “Mainspring designed our platform to meet this challenge, and we’re proud that our product is now deployed to help PG&E and its customers to address these challenges and provide them with a cleaner, resilient, and affordable source of power.”
