Draft:Mainspring Energy

Mainspring Energy, Inc.

Company type	Private
Industry	Electric generator
Founded	2010 (2010)
Headquarters	Menlo Park, California
Website	[1]

Mainspring Energy is an American manufacturer of novel electric generator systems. It produces a type of linear alternator which is made out of standard materials. It has only two moving parts (two pistons) and operates without the use of oil or complex engine mechanical systems, using air as its lubricant. The company has developed 78 patents for its novel linear generator technology. The company was established in 2010 under the name of EtaGen. It changed its name to Mainspring Energy in 2021, and is currently headquartered in Menlo Park, California.

Linear generator mechanics

Mainspring's linear generator uses a low-temperature, uniform, exothermic chemical oxidation that maintains peak temperatures well below the levels in which NOx forms (1500°C), resulting in near-zero NOx emissions. It utilizes two pistons in a horizontal configuration, with the two piston heads butted to each other. As combustive gas is introduced into the small volume between the two piston heads, the ensuing low-temperature explosion pushes the pistons apart, where they compress air at the opposite ends of the pistons, which compressed air acts as springs to push the two pistons back together again, repeating the cycle. It is very fuel flexible and can burn many different gasses, including methane, hydrogen, ammonia and propane. The generator continuously adjusts compression and expansion, allowing it to dynamically adjust for varying fuel quality and different types of fuels without stopping operation. The oscillation of the pistons is coupled to magnets moving through coils, which produce an alternating current. This current is then rectified and converted to standard 120 Volt alternating current. The patented innovations produce upwards of 46% energy conversion efficiency for the generator.

History

Mainspring was founded in 2010 by three Stanford University engineers seeking a new approach to generating clean, resilient, affordable electricity. In 2022 their CEO won the United States Department of Energy C3E Women in Clean Energy Award Their research into high-efficiency methods of converting fuel to electricity led to the founding of the company and the development and prototype of their first linear generator.

As a private company, it has enlisted financial support from many parties, including Khosla Ventures, Bill Gates, Fidelity Fine Structure Ventures, Princeville Climate Fund, Lightrock, etc., as well as strategic partners such as NextEra Energy and American Electric Power. Mainspring Energy has recently raised $468 million in additional funding, including $290 million in a Series E round. Global growth equity investor Lightrock led the Series E, joined by Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments), Shell Ventures, Hanwha Group subsidiary Hanwha Power Systems, and other new private investors.

Their first commercial product reached the market in 2021, and they have since established a working track record of numerous successful operations on a commercial basis, with many units in operation in numerous locations. Mainspring Energy is building another linear generator manufacturing facility, in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. This facility is scheduled to produce 1000 generators annually, upon completion.

External links

• Official website