After completing a post-doctorate appointment at MIT, in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Ryan Wartena founds Growing Energy Labs Inc (GELI) in California. His goal is to help the world install renewable energy systems with natural growth methods and technologies.

While consulting for a Los Angeles battery start-up company, Ryan Wartena builds the first Community Energy Storage system with 21kW of Power and 50kWh of Energy Storage for the City of Anaheim.

Dr. Wartena dedicates his full time to developing the technologies and tools to build the Energy Computer™ for the home and the hardware and software for the Internet of Energy.

GELI introduces the Energy Computer 1 (EC1) with 4kW of power and up to 14kWh of energy storage, 6 channel local energy switching and network communications. The build takes place at the Sugar Shack in LA, where Ryan Wartena and housemate Brent Heyning and crew complete the system in eight weeks, from concept to final product.

Also, at this time, Erin Shaw joins GELI as executive assistant par excellence. She handles business affairs for the startup company, from patent applications, resellers’ permits, accounting, and more.

GELI unveils the EC1, demo’ed with a 1 kW Sol Blossom Solar System, at the San Francisco Green Fest.

Cris Wagner joins GELI as chief technology officer. A former colleague of Ryan’s in Cambridge, Cris brings GELI the rare ability to mesh hardware, software, and the Internet technologies into a platform.

Jeff Yee, president of BASS Electric, provides space in his company’s garage, in San Francisco’s SOMA district, to house the EC1. (The system is currently running solar electricity around the clock.) Shortly thereafter, Jeff offers GELI additional space at BASS to use for ongoing product development and an office.

GELI introduces the Energy Computer 2 (EC2), which incorporates an energy storage module, power conversion, and information technology, into a single platform. Its clear acrylic cabinet is small enough to fit through a standard door and rolls around on wheels for easy transport. (Nonprofit Global Inheritance takes the system on tour across the nation to street and music festivals, as part of their Energy Playground.)

GELI submits its first patent application for the Energy Router: “Method and System of Dynamic Nested Electrical Utility Networks with Common Energy Exchange Channels (CEEC)”. CEEC technology enables the company’s Energy Computers to send energy to home appliances and/or through an electrical grid to other locations.

Ryan and Cris design the Energy Operator System V1.0. The EOS integrates Internet communications and GELI’s hardware and energy programs into a platform for operation of the Energy Computer Network.

Amphora Energy Systems licenses the GELI Energy Module 250 (GEM 250), for off-grid, solar LED video applications. The GEM 250 houses energy storage, Li-ion battery charging, solar charge control, regulated voltage output, onboard energy routing, and communications.

GELI delivers two GEM 250s to Amphora for testing in its products.

Ted Beatie and Margarita Colmenares join GELI as vice presidents of operations and business development.

Ted brings 20 years of experience in computer networking and an aptitude for building teams in startup environments. A Stanford educated engineer, Margarita has extensive experience in Fortune 500 companies and has been an appointee in two presidential administrations in Washington, DC.

The USPTO grants GELI the trademark for Energy Computer.

GELI develops the API that integrates the Energy Computer with the Heart Transverter. The Heart Transverter enables the platform to accept power from anywhere – such as solar PV or the grid – and to store it, use it, and/or feed it back into the Grid.

GELI closes a deal with a Japanese firm to develop and manufacture mobile Energy Computers. These systems replace expensive and noisy diesel generators on construction trucks for use in road work during for the Japanese rebuild.

GELI introduces the third generation energy storage module–the GELI Energy Module 500 (GEM500). The GEM500 is rolled out when Global Inheritance commissions a second EC for festival touring.

GELI develops the Energy Operator System 2.0 software program, with graphical energy visualization.

GELI releases the first-generation GENI (Global Energy Network Interface) and its software program for financial analysis — the Energy Composer.

Dr. Wartena organizes and moderates a webinar on Solar + Energy Storage Finance, the Next Wave in Renewable Energy with leaders from solar finance & solar installation industries and in energy, legal and financial policy.