The state of Wisconsin is awarding $7.3 million in grants and loans to 24 energy companies. The money is coming from the Wisconsin Energy Independence Fund, which is part of Gov. Jim Doyle's Clean Energy Wisconsin initiative.

The funds will be used to advance clean energy production in the state.

Area companies receiving funding include:

BEST Energies, Madison/Cashton, $500,000 grant and $500,000 loan for biodiesel production research.

Idle Free Systems, Watertown, $250,000 grant for development of its biofuel flow system.

Steinbine Development, Deerfield, $55,000 grant for development of a hydropower turbine.

Virent Energies, Madison, $500,000 grant and $500,000 loan for a pilot program to produce gasoline from biomass.

SolRayo, Madison, $250,000 grant to commercialize nanotechnology material to increase energy storage in ultra-capacitors.

Bio-Products Engineering Corp., Richland Center, $70,000 grant for a project to convert fatty acids into biogas.

C5-6 Technologies, Middleton, $350,000 grant for development of enzymes to increase ethanol yield in ethanol plants.

Silatronix, Madison, $243,000 grant for improving lithium ion batteries and ultra-capacitors.

GreenStone Technologies, Madison, $250,000 grant for development of a prototype solar window.

Great Lakes Ag Energy, Fitchburg, $250,000 grant for improving the conversion of natural materials into biofuel.

Bio-Energy & Environment, Madison, $100,000 grant for algae research and a prototype cultivation plant.