Dive Brief:

• A Silicon Valley startup is trying to bring distributed generation technology to market that uses sound to convert natural gas to electricity at high efficiency rates.
• The Nirvana Energy Systems micro-combined heat and power product is based on “thermoacoustic” technology developed by Xerox and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
• “The Power Stick, which can operate continuously, will allow customers to lower their energy bills by creating both their own electric power and sufficient heat for domestic water and space heating purposes,” said James Gibbons, the Chairman of Nirvana Energy.

Dive Insight:

Silence is golden? Not to Nirvana Energy Systems. The company aims to make money by helping people produce their own power. It's a startup with plenty to prove, but another sign that utilities are being challenged like never before.