Why a California company chose Pittsburgh for its clean energy arm

A landmark federal grant could transform Pittsburgh into the place to be for clean energy. 

In a major milestone for the landscape, Mainspring Energy, an innovative linear generator developer based in Menlo Park, California, was awarded $87 million by the Department of Energy (DOE). This funding, the largest of its kind among 14 November awards across the country, will go toward creating Mainspring’s first high-volume linear generator manufacturing facility in Allegheny County. 

And Mainspring’s commitment to Pittsburgh’s long-term economic growth extends beyond job creation. 

Kelly Yee, director of public partnerships at Mainspring, shared a personal connection to the region, particularly to McKees Rocks, a community once at the heart of Pittsburgh’s coal industry. 

“My grandparents raised four children, including my father, in McKees Rocks,” Yee said. “The community is ideally situated: close to the city, walkable, access to public transportation … Providing sustainable economic growth to the community would be great to see.”

With an investment of $175 million, the plant will help power the region’s clean energy future. Expected to break ground in 2025, it will offer low-emission, fuel-flexible generators that support everything from microgrids to industrial operations. 

The soon-to-be-built 300,000-square-foot facility in Allegheny County will produce up to 1,000 linear generators annually, creating over 600 jobs.

“We’re excited to partner with organizations like the Community College of Allegheny County and Community College of Beaver County,” Craig Gordon, head of global policy and regulatory affairs at Mainspring Energy, told Technical.ly, “which will help us develop training programs for apprentices and employees.”

Unlike traditional power sources such as engines, turbines or fuel cells, this generator converts linear motion directly into electricity without burning fuel. It operates through a flameless reaction between air and fuel, moving magnets through copper coils to generate electricity efficiently and with low emissions.

Pittsburgh’s national reputation as a leader in manufacturing

Despite being based across the country, Mainspring says Pittsburgh was a clear frontrunner for this new facility.

The decision to set up shop in Pittsburgh followed a meticulous search process that highlighted the region’s unique assets.

A few key things stood out to Mainspring: a well-trained workforce, proximity to elite research institutions like Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh and a presence within the DOE-funded ARCH2 Hydrogen Hub. The hub, which facilitates the production, storage, and distribution of clean hydrogen energy, is critical infrastructure that aligns with Mainspring’s strategic goals. 

By locating in Pittsburgh, Mainspring seeks to harness the city’s workforce expertise in manufacturing, engineering and energy. Pittsburgh is home to more than 40,000 tech professionals, plus another 85,000 workers in the manufacturing industry.

“Pittsburgh is central to several emerging hydrogen and clean fuel projects and is poised to be a key player in this growing sector,” Gordon said.

The construction phase alone of the new Mainspring facility will generate nearly 300 jobs, with a wide range of positions across production, quality assurance, supply chain management and operations. 

Mainspring has committed to hiring workers from Pittsburgh’s existing manufacturing base, particularly those impacted by the decline of traditional industries like coal.

A clean energy option that can rely on multiple power sources 

One of the key advantages of the linear generator is its versatility. It can switch between different fuel sources, including natural gas, biogas, hydrogen and ammonia. This adaptability makes it well-suited for a power grid that increasingly depends on renewable energy. 

“To achieve a carbon-neutral grid, we need reliable and flexible power solutions to support solar and wind energy,” Gordon said. The linear generator plays a crucial role in this transition, offering dependable, long-lasting energy that helps maintain stability and affordability throughout the year, he said.

The new facility will nearly double Mainspring’s manufacturing capacity for linear generators, enabling the company to scale its production to meet the growing demand for clean, firm, long-duration energy solutions.

Mainspring’s linear generator adds to the clean energy mix, alongside wind, solar, hydropower and geothermal. Unlike these, which can be intermittent, the linear generator is fuel-flexible. 

Mainspring’s plans to become a part of the local community 

Mainspring is also working closely with workforce development organizations such as Partner4Work and Southwest Corner Workforce Development to help recruit workers from coal-impacted communities. 

Gordon emphasized the importance of these partnerships in ensuring that the local workforce is ready to transition into clean tech roles.

“We recognize that Pittsburgh’s history is deeply intertwined with coal, and many communities are still recovering from the economic decline of traditional industries,” Gordon said. “Our goal is to be part of the region’s ongoing revitalization.”

As part of ensuring its growth benefits all segments of the local population, the company has engaged BEAM Collaborative to identify contracting opportunities with minority-owned businesses and is partnering with Riverside Center for Innovation to support small business development. 

Mainspring will also work with Mooncrest Neighborhood Programs to deepen community engagement, particularly in areas with high rates of economic need.

“Our goal is to establish long-term, two-way relationships with the communities we operate in,” said Gordon. “We’re dedicated to making sure our impact extends beyond jobs and into meaningful economic development, ensuring that Pittsburgh’s energy future benefits all.”