JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas – The Department of the Air Force is testing a 250-kilowatt fuel-flexible linear generator for Travis Air Force Base, California, that can run on multiple gaseous fuels to provide installations a reliable electricity source without limitations of fuel type.
DAF recently awarded Mainspring Energy, Inc. a prototype agreement to analyze the free-piston generator’s fuel efficiency, power output, consumption, and emissions data for each fuel type tested. The generator can run on natural gas, biomethane, syngas, ammonia, propane, and hydrogen to ensure adaptability to future fuel landscapes.
The project is a joint effort between the Air Force Office of Energy Assurance (AF OEA), the Air Force Civil Engineer Center’s energy directorate, and the 60th Civil Engineer Squadron.
“DAF’s reliance on any single fuel type presents a supply chain risk. A generator capable of running on multiple fuel types reduces vulnerability to fluctuating fuel standards, availability, or price shifts, providing resilience without the need for costly equipment replacement,” said Kirk Phillips, Air Force Office of Energy Assurance director.
“This announcement demonstrates an innovative solution to a rapidly evolving energy environment,” Phillips said. “With their multi-fuel capability, these generators won’t become obsolete as available fuels change and evolve. This increases resilience and directly aligns with the Administration’s vision under Executive Orders 14154 and 14156 to unleash American energy and dominate for mission effectiveness across the defense enterprise.”
“Travis AFB welcomes this prototype demonstration,” said David Lin, 60th Civil Engineer Squadron Deputy Base Civil Engineer. “The contract explores an innovative response to the Department’s directive to increase flexibility and reduce single points of failure in mission energy infrastructure.”
Mainspring competed for this opportunity via the Tradewinds Solutions Marketplace which streamlines procurement by emphasizing innovation, scalability, and mission impact.
“The Air Force is leading the way in energy resilience, and this demonstration could accelerate critical capability adoption across the DoD,” said Adam Simpson, Mainspring co-founder and chief commercial officer.
The AF OEA innovation team led by Chief Innovation Officer Dr. Richard Hartman, played a key role in identifying and shaping this rapid prototype effort. The team continues to examine innovative multi-fuel technologies which achieve Air Force energy resilience and reliability standards.
To cut through traditional acquisition barriers, AF OEA is leveraging 10 USC 4022 prototyping authorities, showing how alternative contracting mechanisms can fast-track defense energy solutions. These efforts are aligned with Executive Order 14265 on Modernizing Defense Acquisitions, as well as the more recent Executive Orders 14154 and 14156, which call on federal agencies to unleash the full potential of domestic energy resources and modernize infrastructure in support of mission effectiveness.