Engenious Engineering started as Energy Conversions Inc. in 1986, founded to design an experimental diesel locomotive conversion for a Class I railroad. The idea was simple in concept: fuel costs were rising and natural gas was much cheaper.

However, making it viable wasn't so simple. While the initial prototype EMD 567 engine was a success, the locomotive was limited due by engine derating. To operate without pre-detonation, which could damage or destroy the engine, it could only run at 75% of the engine's rated horsepower.

With a better understanding of what was possible, ECI and the railroad went back to the drawing board. Their next project would use a turbocharged EMD 645 engine had several new goals, including:

• Ability to withstand long-haul locomotive operating conditions
• Retain a full power diesel only mode
• Achieve 90% diesel-rated horsepower in dual-fuel mode

ECI displayed engineering ingenuity, delivering a locomotive in 1991 that could run at full rated power in both dual-fuel and diesel modes along the railroad company's most difficult coal lines.

Following this success, ECI moved to expand the possibilities of their diesel conversions beyond the railroad market. While developing a more economical conversion retrofit for rail, they converted offshore oilrig gensets and peak power generating units. With conversions made for CAT 399 gensets, their technology proved to work on more than just EMD engines.

ECI's engineering prowess would result in the creation of two more conversion offerings. The first full conversion to spark-ignited natural gas would go into commission in 2003, allowing the Napa Valley Railroad to maximize their savings. Later the same year, ECI finished development on the Economizer Conversion System, a cost-effective conversion that fits virtually any 4-stroke diesel engine.

In 2018, Peaker Services, Inc. acquired ECI to help bring diesel engine conversions to more applications. Now as Engenious Engineering, development in Tacoma continues, moving beyond natural gas to include conversions to ammonia and propane. The group also helps provide quality support to Peaker's customers with dual-fuel engines, giving us greater technical ability to address fuel injection in these unique prime movers.