From biogas to electricity

A Chico firm, Makel Engineering Inc., has received a $300,000 grant from the California Energy Commission. The research and development grant will help the company design and create an alternative to the internal-combustion engine by creating electricity from biogas.

The project is part of the Renewable Energy Secure Communities initiative and is aimed at pushing California forward in terms of lowering emissions, through the use of Homogenous Charge Compression Ignition technology.

“Any investment in our Northern California communities that can lead to new jobs and new opportunities is welcome,” state Sen. Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley) said in a statement.

The goal of the project will be to develop a market-ready 200-kilowatt generator that will create electricity from biogas for less than 8 cents per kilowatt hour.