One Naperville Company Working on Prototype
Packer Engineering Hopes New Gasifier Will Create Jobs

Bales of hay could lead to bales of green, and loads of jobs coming to the Area according to Naperville based Packer Engineering.

Scientists at Packer are designing a system that they say will help the 2 million farms in the U-S create energy out of waste. The input is crop waste; the output is electricity and heat. Officials say that can be used on the farm, sold back into the power grid through net metering, or used to produce fertilizer.

Officials say both forms of energy can be used on the farm, sold back into the power grid through net metering, or used to produce fertilizer. Local organizers are hoping to set up green depots for the city so they could make their own biomass, such as yard clippings, into gas for fleet vehicles.  The vehicles use less gasoline, a fossil fuel and non renewable resource. They’ll also emit less harmful exhaust.

Peter Schubert, Senior Director at Packard Engineering, and other leaders think this invention can save municipalities money too. Naperville City Councilman Bob Fieseler is one of the people trying to lead the green charge. 

Fieseler says if Naperville adopted the new technology, the city would find several rewards.

“It’s good for environment, lower greenhouse gasses and pollutants,” Fieseler says. “It’s good for education. Packer hires College of DuPage interns; we’ve talked with districts 203 and 204 to get their curriculum involved as well. And we’ll see economic benefits; we’re looking towards job creation and establish new businesses.”

Packer Engineering has already received several grants, including a $1 million US Department of Agriculture Grant for Research. Schubert says they’re working on another prototype for farmers to use.  Within three years, he hopes the gasifier will be mass produced and distributed.

“This is supporting the President’s vision for economic growth in alternative energy for this country.” Schubert says.

The gasifier is still in its early stages. But councilman Fieseler says he’s energized at the possible growth the product could bring to Naperville, and he thinks residents will agree.

“I think if we can convince residents that we need this and can do this economically, then they can take that leap of faith,” Fieseler says.

Lindsey Theis Reports.