Capstone to provide 600 kW microturbine for RNG station

The Capstone C600S microturbine will be configured for dual-mode operation using the high-pressure natural gas on site. (Photo: Capstone Green Energy)

Lone Star Power Solutions, the exclusive distributor for Capstone Green Energy Corp. in Texas, Arizona and the Gulf States, has secured an order for a 600 kW microturbine system for installation at a renewable natural gas station in the U.S. state of Kansas.

The new system, which is expected to be commissioned in August 2022, will power gas compression operations at a remote site at which no electricity is available. At the heart of the system is a natural gas-fueled Capstone C600S microturbine configured for both grid-connected (50/60 Hz) and standalone (10 to 60 Hz) operation using the high-pressure natural gas available on site. The C600S supplies up to 600 kW of electric power and 400/480 VAC from a compact, modular, ultra-low emission package.

Because the installation is in an unstaffed, remote location, operational reliability and low maintenance were key factors in the decision to go with the C600S, Capstone reported. According to the company, the microturbine delivers high electrical efficiency over a wide operating range, high availability with part load redundancy plus remote monitoring and diagnostic capabilities. The unit’s ability to run on biogas, or RNG, was also an important consideration for the customer.

“Capstone was a natural fit for this unstaffed site both because the turbines are extremely reliable and they require very little maintenance,” said Doug Demaret, president of Lone Star Power Solutions. “The Capstone products are the cleanest power generation combustion technology available today, which our customers value.”

Capstone’s ability to deliver and install the new system in weeks rather than months was also a significant draw for the customer.

“Providing reliable power at remote sites is a hallmark of Capstone microturbine-based systems,” said Darren Jamison, president and CEO, Capstone Green Energy. “Our microturbines deliver a range of benefits that other power generation systems simply can’t — from ultra-low emissions without aftertreatment and minimal maintenance to speed-to-implement and system scalability. We firmly believe that our microturbines are a practical and often cost-effective path to the clean energy future.”