Capstone Turbine Corporation (NASDAQ:CPST), a manufacturer of low-emission, clean-energy systems, revealed that its C200S ICHP microturbine is heading to the Antarctic, after Arctic Energy, Capstone's exclusive distributor in Alaska, secured a new order.
The follow-on order comes along with a 20-year factory protection plan (FPP) from the National Science Foundation (NSF) as part of a multi-phase modernization plan at the McMurdo research station in Antarctica.
The remote station serves scientists supported by the US Antarctic Program (USAP) and agencies such as National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
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"Recorded temperature extremes have been as low as minus 50 degrees Centigrade at McMurdo, which is why their engineers continue to specify Capstone as their energy solution of choice," said Darren Jamison, Capstone's president and CEO.
"The reliability of Capstone's clean and green solutions in some of the most remote and harsh environments in the world makes Capstone a leading solution for customers with highly critical loads and limited infrastructure.
"The lack of lube oil, grease, and coolants is a huge advantage for the Capstone technology, whether it is One Vanderbilt in the middle of Manhattan or McMurdo station in Antarctica."
In a statement, Capstone said the new microturbine will be delivered in 2020 and is expected to be commissioned in February 2021.
Plans to modernize the 100-building McMurdo station began in 2013 with an increased focus on reducing energy costs and carbon emissions.
Capstone's innovative technology was selected for its ultra-low emissions, low maintenance, and high reliability.
Its microturbine will run on a special jet fuel blend called AN8, unique to the Antarctic and Arctic.
The new combined heat and power (CHP) system is scheduled to operate 24/7/365 in grid connect mode and projected to maximize local heat recovery usage and ensure power and heat availability for several of the buildings at the research facility.
Capstone offers a comprehensive product line-up, providing scalable systems focusing on 30 kWs to 10 MWs that operate on a variety of gaseous or liquid fuels.
So far, the company has shipped over 9,000 units to 73 countries and has saved customers an estimated US$253 million in annual energy costs and 350,000 tons of carbon.
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Contact the author at giles@proactiveinves