Capstone microturbines to power Colombian natural gas companies

Capstone Turbine Corporation, a manufacturer of microturbine energy systems, recently received multiple orders from two natural gas service companies in Colombia that total two MW of prime power generation. The first of the two new orders secured by Capstone Distributor Supernova Energy Services was for the purchase of two Capstone microturbines -- a C1000 and C200 -- which will be used in a combined heat and power (CHP) application for a large gas treatment plant near Yopal, Colombia.

The energy generated will provide 100 percent of the power for the facility, and the heat will be utilized in the gas treatment process. The Capstone microturbine will enable the facility to increase the volume of gas treated while generating reliable power. The installation and commission of the units will coincide with the installation of the plant in late 2012.

A second microturbine order Supernova recently secured is for a Capstone C800 Power Package by a large natural gas transportation company based in Barranquilla, Colombia. The installation is the first of its kind for the Colombian oil and gas industry. The package was purchased to generate reliable onsite power at a remote compressor station.

To be commissioned in August, the C800 will replace five antiquated Caterpillar diesel gensets and produce 800 KW of clean electricity using natural gas directly from the pipeline. The electricity will power auxiliary equipment like coolers, motors, pumps, compressors and lights that enable the compressor station to push 737 million cubic feet of natural gas per day through the pipeline, which is 43 percent of the country's natural gas supply.

To meet the demand for a modular, reliable, and cost effective power system to replace the high maintenance diesel generators, the Capstone C800 Power Package will supply 100 percent of the facility's power even during fluctuating power loads each season. Compared to the former gensets at the compressor station, the C800 will operate at 99.1 percent availability, resulting in an estimated annual 20 percent cost savings.