Tech Showcase II will highlight energy innovations-Region’s companies to have products on display

The SIRTI folks are calling next week’s public event Tech Showcase II. Another title could be: Plugging into a New Economy.

Tom Sowa
Staff writer

The showcase, Thursday at 4:30 in the WestCoast Grand Hotel, will shed light on several area efforts to develop cutting-edge energy technology.

The event is part of continuing plans by SIRTI — the Spokane Intercollegiate Research and Technology Institute — to link resources and accelerate development of strong companies in the region.

SIRTI is a state-funded business incubator charged with finding ways to help new companies create new products or improve their business plan.

The products on display Thursday include:

•Washington State University’s micro-power electricity generator engine, called the P3.

•A free-piston Stirling engine from the University of Idaho that enhances efficiency of biomass combustion plants.

•New technology from InnovaTek, a Tri-Cities company, that converts hydrocarbon fuels to pure hydrogen for use by fuel cells.

•Energy-saving technology systems from Spokane-based PCS UtiliData.

PCS UtiliData, which was started by president Tom Wilson in the 1980s, has developed a system called Adaptive Voltage Control.

Wilson contends the system can cut customer’s electricity bills by as much as 31/2 cents for every dollar spent while at the same time reducing the emission of greenhouse gases responsible for global warming by nearly 150 million tons a year nationwide.

Adaptive Voltage Control is being marketed to power utilities. Wilson has a beta project in progress with Inland Power for its north Spokane-area feeder station.

It has also sold the system to the Clatskanie Public Utility District in Oregon, Wilson said.

Its technology, with patent pending, allows utilities to better monitor distribution systems. It also allows end-users and customers the ability to operate power devices or machines at voltages just slightly lower than 120 volts, said Wilson.

Wilson and SIRTI officials have agreed to enter a partnership that will help PSC Utilidata continue to develop its products and better market them.

The company has 14 employees but has had a difficult 2002, Wilson said.

"We are also unwilling participants in the current downturn," he said.

Admission to the showcase is free, and refreshments will be served.

Those wanting to attend should register by visiting http://www.sirti.org or contacting Theresa Timms at (509) 358-2035.

•Business writer Tom Sowa can be reached at (509) 459-5492 or at [email protected]

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