Green
Seattle firm wins innovation award from National Fluid Power Association
By Seattle Business Magazine December 2, 2011
Seattle-based Gentech Global is the recipient of the first National Fluid Power Association (NFPA) Innovation Award for its energy-efficient power-generation system that eliminates the need for auxiliary diesel engines on marine vessels, thereby reducing their carbon footprint.
The Gentech system was featured in the “Bright Idea” section of the August issue of Seattle Business magazine. The NFPA award cites Gentech founder Erling Skaar and his partner, Odd Arild Olsen, for engineering a system that uses fluid power technology in innovative ways.
Most marine vessels use a second engine to generate power for on-board electricity and other crew needs. Gentech’s add-on alternative uses the main engine to drive a hydraulic pump that powers a generator, eliminating the need for the auxiliary engine.
The Innovation Award includes a $1,000 cash prize. The NFPA, based in Milwaukee, promotes fluid power technology, which encompasses energy that is transmitted and controlled by means of a pressurized fluid, either liquid or gas.