The Maine Technology Institute has awarded $500,000 to two Maine companies in Biddeford and Wiscasset engaged in developing clean energy technology through the Maine Clean Energy Innovation Challenge.
The two companies receiving the awards are Farmhand Automation of Biddeford, which is developing low-cost electric farming robots to help local farmers, and Peregrine Turbine Technologies of Wiscasset, which is developing renewable power storage technology. Each company will receive $250,000.
“MTI supports Maine’s environmental and clean energy sector, including efforts to diversify it,” said Brian Whitney, MTI’s president. “This innovation challenge was an opportunity for MTI to take an active role in helping to identify promising and innovative technologies to help address the climate and clean energy goals of the state. And, it’s a model that we can continue to replicate to help catalyze other sectors in our state.”
The Maine Clean Energy Innovation Challenge is a joint initiative of the Maine Technology Institute and the Governor’s Energy Office. It was created to support companies with products or technologies that reduce carbon emissions, increase renewable energy, and grow Maine’s clean energy economy. Maine Gov. Janet Mills has set a goal of doubling Maine’s clean energy jobs to 30,000 by 2030.
“Innovative companies across Maine are leading the transition to a clean energy future,” said Governor Mills. “Farmhand Automation and Peregrine Turbine exemplify the ingenuity Maine needs to diversify our economy, create good-paying green-collar jobs, and combat climate change. I congratulate them on winning our Clean Energy Innovation Challenge, and I thank them for their contributions to our state.”
