Capstone Turbine and Phoenix Contact Complete Development of New Family of PowerSync Microturbine Controllers

Feb. 14, 2018
Capstone Turbine Corporation (www.capstoneturbine.com) (Nasdaq: CPST), the world's leading clean technology manufacturer of microturbine energy systems, and Phoenix Contact, a leading manufacturer of industrial automation, interconnection and interface solutions, announced today the completion of the new family of PowerSync controllers used for Capstone microturbines.

Capstone Turbine Corporation (www.capstoneturbine.com) (Nasdaq: CPST), the world's leading clean technology manufacturer of microturbine energy systems, and Phoenix Contact, a leading manufacturer of industrial automation, interconnection and interface solutions, announced today the completion of the new family of PowerSync controllers used for Capstone microturbines.
Phoenix Contact and Capstone have been conceptualizing, developing and qualifying the new microturbine controllers over the last three years in a joint effort to improve on-site controls and integration with end-use customer facilities.
The main objectives of developing the new PowerSync controller line were to further increase system reliability, availability and make Capstone microturbines easier to use for both end-user customers as well as Capstone distribution partners.
The new controller line is based on Phoenix Contact’s AXC 3050 PLC, and further increases the reliability and availability of the Capstone microturbines by utilizing a self-healing Ethernet ring to eliminate single points of failure in its control network. The new controllers also provide seamless transfer capabilities, ensuring the end-users’ loads do not experience any interruption to their operation in the event of a utility power outage. The new PowerSync controllers include algorithms to maximize overall system efficiency and adjust the operation of individual microturbines to align with their predicted scheduled service dates. The PowerSync controllers are intuitive, easy to use, provide for secure remote communications, and can be customized to integrate with site-specific balance-of-plant equipment.
Phoenix Contact not only helped to develop the new PowerSync controller but also uses a Capstone C1000 microturbine at its facility in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The C1000 is a combined cooling heat and power (CCHP) installation, utilizing a 5,000-BTU heat exchanger and a 300-ton absorption chiller. This enables Phoenix Contact to utilize the thermal energy from the exhaust for the building’s hydronic heating loop, providing heating and cooling to the facility. The C1000 will also reduce their emissions by over 3,100 tons of carbon per year, equivalent to removing 2,200 cars from the road for one year. The site won the Pennsylvania Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence in 2015 for its efficiency and innovation.
“The new PowerSync line of controllers improves the overall performance and reliability of our innovative clean and green microturbine systems. In addition, they are simpler to program and more intuitive to use for our distributors and end-user customers lowering the amount of time required to commission a complete CHP or CCHP system,” said Darren Jamison, President and Chief Executive Officer of Capstone. “Phoenix Contact has proven to be a great development partner for Capstone as well as a successful customer,” added Mr. Jamison.
“Since we installed the Capstone C1000 in 2014, we have cut our energy bill by about $300,000 per year, but just as importantly, we are eliminating a huge amount of emissions,” said Jack Nehlig, President of Phoenix Contact USA. “We are excited to be part of Capstone’s latest solution so that other facilities can reduce their carbon footprint and see energy-saving results just as we have,” added Mr. Nehlig.

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