Lathrop Irrigation District has been providing electrical power to River Islands’ schools, residents, and commercial buildings since 2013. A public utility, LID was formed as an elected board made up of residents of River Islands, has no shareholders, and is not run for profit.
In May, representatives of LID, River Islands Development, the City of Lathrop, and Mainspring Energy held a public dedication of ten linear generators. These generators represent the first phase of LID’s plan to deliver clean, high-efficiency, reliable power through the direct conversion of a fuel source like gas into electricity through linear motion—via Mainspring Energy’s linear generators. The net effect is outstanding power conversion efficiency and low carbon emissions.
LID has spent the last 18 months looking at viable options to meet California’s ISO (Independent System Operator) requirements to provide proof of “resource adequacy” – ensuring that there is enough capacity and reserves for LID to maintain a balanced supply and demand across the electric system.
“LID is always looking toward the future”, said Curtis Bryant, recently retired General Manager of Lathrop Irrigation District. “Our future is green, dependable, and free of fees from outside agencies. By taking on a project like the Mainspring Linear Generators, we are moving toward establishing a system that can be transitioned to using 100% renewable fuels as they become available.”
Susan Dell’Osso, River Islands president, said, “River Islands is always looking ahead for smart solutions to long-term sustainability. Our track record for building a strong infrastructure, from our levee system to our lift stations to the size of the conduit in the streets for future internet needs, has been a part of the planning and development of our community from the very beginning.”
She continued, “This installation by LID of state-of-the-art equipment to provide our residences, schools, and businesses with clean, green, reliable power is a perfect complement to our story.”
