Micro Turbines Promise Breakthrough for Hybrid/EV Range Extenders

This looks to be an important piece of the mosaic we need to allow EV's the range necessary to garner more use in the "real world" as we know it.

Good step forward! I would still love to see a Hybrid diesel on a small 4 door 4x4 pickup or wagon that will handle a daily commute efficiently and be capable of hauling "stuff" or

pull a trailer with "stuff".

Filed under: Diesel, Emerging Technologies, Hybrid, USA

Capstone demonstrates turbine compliant with 2010 EPA and CARB diesel standards

by Domenick Yoney on Mar 31st 2009 at 4:46PM

Capstone Turbine Corporation, maker of the micro turbines that are being used as a power source in some hybrid buses, has announced that they have demonstrated that their 30 kW microturbine is compliant with the new EPA and CARB standards that will come into effect in 2010. Makers of some internal combustion diesel engines have been having some difficulty meeting the criterion without the implementation of lots of expensive add-ons, usually exhaust treatment systems. These additions will add to running costs even as the price of the fuel is dipping below that of gasoline in places.

The C30 microturbine use "lean premix combustion technology" to burn gaseous and liquid fuels and now CTC's engineers have altered the way the fuel is is injected. This allows for a cleaner burn without having to pre-treat fuel or require exhaust aftertreatment. While the 30 kW (40 hp) engine may not have the output to move an eighteen-wheeler over hill and dale, it seems a good match for the Designline hybrid buses (now with Altairnano batteries) it is being used in. Hit the jump for the official press release.

[Source: Green Car Congress]

PRESS RELEASE:

Capstone Successfully Demonstrates CARB 2010 Diesel Engine Emissions

CHATSWORTH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar. 30, 2009-- Capstone Turbine Corporation (NASDAQ:CPST), the world's leading clean technology manufacturer of microturbine energy systems, today announced that it has demonstrated with its 30kW microturbine emission levels compliant with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resources Board (CARB) 2010 requirements for Heavy Duty Diesel Engine (HDDE). Tests were conducted at Capstone's development test facilities in Van Nuys, California.

Internal combustion diesel engine manufacturers have been challenged for the last several years to develop technology improvements that reduce emissions to levels specified by the EPA and CARB 2010 standards. Many manufacturers are incorporating exhaust aftertreatment which increases both upfront equipment costs, life cycle costs and may reduce overall engine efficiency.

Capstone microturbines incorporate lean premix combustion technology which offers clean burning exhaust emissions operating on gaseous and liquid fuels. To achieve the emissions improvements, Capstone's team of engineers developed new fuel injection methods that resulted in significantly lower emissions. Testing demonstrated compliant nitrogen-oxide (NOx) and carbon-monoxide (CO) emissions from part load to full load operation. The proposed EPA and CARB 2010 standards reduce nitrogen-oxide (NOx) emissions over 80% from the current EPA and CARB 2007 standards. The resulting system requires no fuel pretreatment or exhaust aftertreatment to meet these stringent standards.

"We are excited about the applications this technology breakthrough opens up for the Capstone microturbine product," said Jim Crouse, Capstone's Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing. "We look forward to the results of third party test evaluation and ultimately certification which is planned for later this year."

"With today's announcement, Capstone solidifies its position at the forefront of eco-friendly power generation. The new 2010 compliant turbine is the next step in the long-standing Capstone/DesignLine partnership. DesignLine currently employs the CARB 2007 Capstone turbine to produce a hybrid vehicle that lowers emissions, improves fuel economy and reduces noise pollution. The 2010 compliant Capstone turbine further reduces our emission profile while maintaining its other advantages and will serve as the centerpiece of our efforts going forward," said Brad Glosson, DesignLine's Chief Executive Officer.

About Capstone Turbine

Capstone Turbine Corporation (www.capstoneturbine.com) (NASDAQ:CPST) is the world's leading producer of low-emission microturbine systems, and was the first to market commercially viable microturbine energy products. Capstone Turbine has shipped more than 4,000 Capstone MicroTurbine(R) systems to customers worldwide. These award-winning systems have logged millions of documented runtime operating hours.

Capstone Turbine is a member of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Combined Heat and Power Partnership, which is committed to improving the efficiency of the nation's energy infrastructure and reducing emissions of pollutants and greenhouse gases. A UL-Certified ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 14001:2004 certified company; Capstone is headquartered in the Los Angeles area with sales and/or service centers in the New York Metro area, Mexico City, Milan, Nottingham, Shanghai, Singapore and Tokyo.

"Capstone Turbine Corporation" and "Capstone MicroTurbine" are registered trademarks of Capstone Turbine Corporation. All other trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

This press release contains "forward-looking statements," as that term is used in the federal securities laws, about compliance with certain governmental regulations, expanded market opportunities and the environmental advantages of our product. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as "expects," "objective," "intend," "targeted," "plan" and similar phrases. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties described in Capstone's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission that may cause Capstone's actual results to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied in such statements. Capstone cautions readers not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. Capstone undertakes no obligation, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to release any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Source: Capstone Turbine Corporation

Tags: Altairnano, C30 microturbine, C30Microturbine, Capstone, Capstone microturbine, Capstone Turbine Corporation, CapstoneMicroturbine, CapstoneTurbineCorporation

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Micro Turbines Promise Breakthrough for Hybrid/EV Range Extenders

Capstone demonstrates turbine compliant with 2010 EPA and CARB diesel standards