Capstone Turbine secures microturbine order with maker of solar-power system that operates 24-7

Capstone Turbine Corporation (NASDAQ:CPST) announced Monday it has secured an order for two C200S microturbines with 247Solar Inc, which has developed a solar-power system that operates every hour of the year. 

The project will utilize the microturbines in combination with 247Solar’s technology to produce one of the world’s most versatile, reliable, zero-carbon power generation systems, Capstone said in a statement.

“There is continued emphasis to deploy renewable energy solutions around the world, and this collaboration with 247Solar provides Capstone with a path to participate in the solar energy market, which is expected to reach $57.3 billion by 2022, according to Zion Market Research,” said Jim Crouse, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Capstone. 

READ: Capstone Turbine pens long-term Factory Protection Plan contract with oil and gas customer

Capstone’s technology roadmap, announced in October 2018, includes the development of not only ultra-low emissions that meet Environmental Protection Agency guidelines on liquid fuels but also, new fuel capabilities like butane, hydrogen, and hydrogen blended fuels. 

In addition, Capstone said it is also working in conjunction with innovative technology developers like 247Solar to produce future Capstone zero-carbon energy solutions.

The 247Solar system uses mirrors, or heliostats, to focus sunlight onto a solar receiver. The solar receiver heats airflow through it, which is then used to drive the Capstone microturbines to produce electricity. 

That heated airflow can also be directed to a thermal storage system, and then transferred back into the Capstone microturbines at night when solar irradiance is not available. 

As a result, the uniquely designed 247Solar system is capable of supplying power over extended periods of time as needed, not just when the sun is out.

Each Capstone C200S microturbine will be modified to include a higher temperature heat exchanger to capture the energy from the solar receiver or thermal storage system. This heat exchanger is constructed using the Capstone recuperator design and uses ultra-high temperature metal alloys designed to operate at extreme temperatures. 

Energy transferred into the microturbine will replace the turbine’s standard combustion system, so there is no fossil fuel consumed during operation on heat input from the sun or the thermal storage system.

Turbine’s technology low maintenance

Capstone noted that the turbine’s technology is also extremely low maintenance, requiring only 4 to 6 hours of maintenance a year. This equates to high system availability and aligns with the overall objective of 24/7 renewable power.

The first installation is scheduled for mid-year 2020 and is located in Ouarzazate, Morocco, in collaboration with Masen, the Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy. Masen is responsible for managing renewable energy in Morocco, with a goal to secure 52% of the country’s energy mix from renewable sources by 2030.

Capstone, based in Van Nuys, California, offers a product line-up of microturbines that can produce anywhere from 30 kilowatts to 10 megawatts of power, operating on a variety of gaseous or liquid fuels. To date, Capstone has shipped over 9,000 units to 73 countries.

Contact the author: [email protected]

Follow him on Twitter @PatrickMGraham

Story by ProactiveInvestors