News

Capstone's Pre-Microturbine Excels in Beta Testing

June 22, 2004 by Jeff Shepard

Capstone Turbine Corp. (Chatsworth, CA), a leading microturbine power systems manufacturer, announced that its first beta C200 system surpassed a 1,000-hour operating milestone. The beta unit was installed and commissioned May 3, 2004, at the National Fuel Cell Research Center and Combustion Lab at the University of California, Irvine (UCI). Continuous, full-load operation began two days later.

The 200 kW system was developed in conjunction with the US Department of Energy's Advanced MicroTurbine System program. The 200 kW natural-gas-fueled power system has many of the unique features for which Capstone's 30 kW and 60 kW commercial microturbine products are renowned: a single moving part, built-in grid interconnection functionality, no gearbox, no lubricants or other hazardous fluids, and low emissions without any exhaust treatment chemicals or devices.

Following several more months of continuous full-load duty testing of beta C200s at UCI, at Capstone's research and development facility, and at the United Technologies Corp. Research Center, the company will evaluate launch plans based on beta unit performance at the end of the year.