
Verdagy and Mainspring Launch California’s First Hydrogen-Powered Linear Generator Demo
May 29, 2025Verdagy and Mainspring Energy are turning up the heat on hydrogen innovation with the first-ever commercial-scale demo of a linear generator running purely on green hydrogen. Set to kick off in summer 2025, this project will live at Verdagy’s Moss Landing, California production facility and tap directly into on-site hydrogen made through cutting-edge alkaline water electrolysis (AWE).
But this isn’t just a fuel swap—it’s a bold move to showcase how on-site hydrogen production and power generation can work hand-in-hand. The goal? A self-sustaining, zero-emission energy system that’s resilient, reliable, and ready for everything from strained grids to mission-critical operations.
Why This Project Stands Out
- It’s the first commercial-scale use of Mainspring’s linear generator running solely on hydrogen—no backup fuels, just clean power.
- The aim is to prove a scalable, repeatable blueprint for local, clean, and resilient energy systems.
- Backed by a real-world track record: Verdagy’s site has clocked over 20,000 operating hours and produced more than 200 tonnes of clean hydrogen.
- It’s a powerful example of how hydrogen production and flexible power generation technologies can play off each other.
The Tech Making It Happen
Verdagy’s advanced AWE systems are dialed in for the ups and downs that come with renewables. Unlike older electrolyzers, these can ramp up or down quickly without wearing out—perfect for syncing up with solar or wind.
Meanwhile, Mainspring’s linear generators take a different approach to power. Instead of the usual spinning parts, they use a linear motion to convert chemical energy into electricity directly. They’re super efficient, fuel-flexible (hello, pure hydrogen), and ideal for off-grid or decentralized setups.
Why Moss Landing Is the Perfect Test Site
This coastal California town has long been tied to energy infrastructure and marine science—but these days, it’s making waves in clean energy. Verdagy’s facility is already a hub for green hydrogen innovation, and now it’ll also be the launchpad for this end-to-end, hydrogen-powered system.
What This Means Strategically
- This project tackles two big challenges at once—grid congestion and decarbonization. It’s a smart solution for an increasingly electrified world.
- Mainspring’s $258 million Series F funding shows major investor confidence in flexible, local power generation—and underscores just how much is riding on this demo.
- Producing hydrogen right where it’s used cuts delivery costs and avoids some of the headaches around storage and long-distance infrastructure.
The Bigger Picture
This isn’t just about tech—it’s about what that tech enables. This hydrogen-only setup is tailored for users who absolutely can’t afford power outages: think data centers, military bases, and massive industrial sites. It’s also a real-world example of zero-emission technology delivering both performance and sustainability.
If this approach scales, it could push the envelope on hydrogen infrastructure policy, set new design standards for clean microgrids, and tip the balance for companies waiting on the sidelines to go green.
Final Thought
What Verdagy and Mainspring are building in Moss Landing goes way beyond a flashy demo. It’s a glimpse into a future where green hydrogen and smart tech team up to create clean, dependable power—no compromises, no carbon. As the world races toward net-zero, projects like this could show us the clearest path forward.