Defense contractor signs agreement to work in cooperation with Cirque Energy.
Cirque Energy Inc., Detroit, has entered into a joint development agreement with the defense contractor Northrop Grumman Corp. to develop what the two companies are calling “a deployable gasification unit.” Cirque is a sustainable energy development company focused on distributed generation projects and waste stream optimization.
Cirque Energy has already created a conceptual Deployable Gasification Unit (DGU) on behalf of Northrop Grumman. The DGU is capable of converting byproducts or wastes generated at military installations, natural disaster locations or commercial or industrial sites into electricity and recoverable heat. The units use low temperature, starved air gasification technology coupled with conventional reciprocating engine technology.
The two companies are now working to produce the first working DGU prototype for testing and demonstration for military, government and commercial customers. Cirque expects the prototype to be complete in 2014.
“This development agreement greatly advances the Northrop Grumman mission of offering a solution that provides beneficial use and disposal of wastes, while achieving reduced fossil fuel dependence and lower energy costs,” says Phil Coker, director of integrated platform solutions with Northrop Grumman Information Systems. “Cirque Energy provides the team with cutting-edge technology, innovation and experience.”
Under the agreement, Cirque Energy will lead development, manufacturing and testing of the initial demonstration DGU, with input from Northrop Grumman. Upon successful demonstration, Northrop Grumman will manufacture DGUs for exclusive sale by Northrop Grumman and Cirque Energy.
“Having Northrop Grumman as part of the Cirque Energy team will help us provide an unparalleled level of product development for implementation of small scale gasification and combined heat and power,” says Joseph L. Durant, CEO of Cirque Energy. “We see endless opportunities to implement the DGU in commercial and industrial settings to provide customers with energy independence. Our research indicates that the potential market exceeds several billion dollars.”