Umpqua Energy named top energy innovator by DOE
By Christina Williams
Sustainable Business Oregon
Umpqua Energy took home the DOE's energy innovator award for its technology to reduce tailpipe emissions while improving performance.
A Medford-based startup was named Friday one of three winners of the U.S. Department of Energy's "America's Next Top Energy Innovator" competition.
Umpqua Energy, which has a technology that reduces the emissions from internal combustion engines, worked with Argone National Laboratory to develop its technology and was selected as a winner from a field of 14 startups by public vote.
Umpqua's co-winners were IPAT, a company in Iowa working with metals manufacturing technology from Ames Laboratory, and Vorbeck Materials, a Maryland company working with technology from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory for more efficient battery technology.
The three companies will be featured at the ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit in Washington, D.C., later this month.
"I congratulate these innovative startup companies as they lead the way in creating new businesses based on discoveries made by our world-leading national laboratories,” said Energy Secretary Steven Chu in a press release. “Through the America’s Next Top Energy Innovator Challenge, we are unleashing startup companies to do what they do best: create new products, new industries and new jobs.”
Umpqua Energy, which is based in Medford and also has an office in Spokane, employs seven people but is looking to ramp up manufacturing of its catalyst, which boasts traits including increased gas mileage and the elimination of about 95 percent of emissions.
Sound too good to be true?
"That's what I thought," said William Evans, Umpqua Energy's director. "But we kept testing it."
He said the technology can be installed in everything from a car's tailpipe to a power plant.
"We're going to be able to cover a large area and eliminate a lot of greenhouse gasses."
Evans said the company has raised $1.5 million from a single investor so far but he expects the DOE's award announcement will open the door to other potential partners and investors.
@SustainableBzOR | christinawilliams@bizjournals.com | 503.219.3438
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