Interview to the President
STG has designed, built, and patented a generator with cutting-edge technology that produces electricity. Can you tell us more about it?
The idea of developing a generator that produces electricity arose from several considerations.
The first concerns the growing market demand for electricity consumption.
The second relates to the need to avoid potential blackouts due to electricity shortages, as predicted by our federal representatives in their various media appeals.
The third is that the energy produced should come from renewable sources as environmentally friendly as possible. In January 2022, the EU executive established criteria for green activities.
It is now official: gas and nuclear energy are included in the Green Taxonomy, making them eligible for financing. However, a new development, specifically requested by Germany, is that fossil gas must gradually be replaced by renewable and low-carbon sources.
The transition from fossil gas to biogas in power plants must reach at least 30% biogas by 2026, increasing to 55% by 2035.
How could municipalities play a role in this transition?
Municipalities that can produce sufficient biogas through separate waste collection and wastewater management, for example, could use it to power charging stations for electric vehicles—both cars and boats—with evident economic benefits.
What are the potential economic advantages?
If autonomous production costs less than CHF 0.05 per kWh, and the selling price at charging stations to end users ranges from CHF 0.50 to CHF 0.90 per kWh, the calculations are clear.
In Southern Switzerland alone, we’re talking about hundreds of millions of francs. In Italy, with its extensive coastline, a comprehensive network of dual-purpose charging stations (for maritime and terrestrial use) powered by the STG generator and managed directly or indirectly by municipalities, could generate revenue streams sufficient to support enhanced public services.
What makes this opportunity so significant?
We are literally sitting on a “green gold” mine. We need to realize this and maximize biogas and hydrogen production through a circular economy, thus restoring public finances where necessary.
Can you explain how your generator works?
Our generator runs on biogas or hydrogen, preferably produced locally. After years of research and testing, our engineers have developed a generator that meets these needs.
Despite its cutting-edge technology, the STG generator is simple to manufacture, requires minimal maintenance, is compact and lightweight, and can be assembled easily thanks to its small number of components.
Its features enable low-cost electricity production. As highlighted in the technical comparison table on our website, it has double the efficiency of current generators on the market and consumes half the fuel.
What are some applications of the STG generator?
We have envisioned its use in various sectors, such as automotive (as a range extender), off-grid charging stations, and the nautical industry, among others. These align with the market’s increasing shift toward electric mobility.
Can you elaborate on its application in the automotive sector?
The transition from combustion engines, which have dominated for over 100 years, to electric engines, driven by international environmental agreements, requires significantly more electricity production.
For instance, Powerloop, an energy-sector association, has proposed creating a network of around 2,000 small biogas-powered power plants across Switzerland. This would address electricity shortages, especially in winter, while ensuring adequate charging infrastructure for electric vehicles—a critical role for our generator.
The STG generator powers off-grid charging stations for electric vehicles. It can store surplus energy and inject it into the grid during peak demand.
Are there additional potential uses?
Certainly. On our website, the “Applications” section features graphics and videos showcasing its potential. I see opportunities in hydrogen production, future buildings, and developing countries, among other areas.
How could this help developing countries?
In industrialized countries, the average household consumes around 6 kWh daily, compared to about 0.30 kWh in underdeveloped countries.
A single STG generator can store over 30 kWh, totaling 720 kWh per day—enough for approximately 120 households in industrialized countries or ten times that in underdeveloped ones.
The generator can be powered by biogas from circular economy sources (plant waste, wastewater, wood scraps, etc.) or hydrogen produced via photovoltaics in regions with large open spaces (e.g., Africa, India, China, the Americas). On the other hand, we find large open spaces for example on the roofs of industrial and commercial buildings.
Locally produced electricity would enable internet access in developing countries, connecting communities to universal goods like education and knowledge. This would also eliminate costs for poles, excavations, and other infrastructure to transport electricity.
What are your next steps?
As highlighted on our website, we’ve collaborated with international engineering firms to validate our generator and provide the technical-scientific basis for pre-industrial prototypes. We are now moving toward industrial production to meet market demands.
Where are you in the process?
We’ve built the prototype and initiated contact with potential business partners to launch industrial production. In areas where component manufacturing may be challenging, we plan to supply assembly kits (around 170 parts in total, including 100 for the internal combustion system and 70 for the electrical system).
By assembling generators locally with low labor costs, we can avoid significant investments in machinery and production lines, making electricity more affordable.
We are also open to granting licenses globally, allowing companies with appropriate expertise to independently build or assemble the STG generator for various applications.
Are your designs protected by patents?
Yes, we have filed patents both in Switzerland and internationally through specialized firms.
What is the future of the STG generator?
Technology is always evolving. We plan to establish a technology hub, managed by a foundation, focused on continuously updating the generator to keep pace with advancements and providing remote assistance for installed units worldwide.
When can we expect the STG generator to hit the market?
Thanks to the technical and scientific expertise we’ve developed and the finalized designs, constructing the industrial prototype in just a few months is feasible. I hope it will debut as early as 2025.