Microturbines For Taiwan Biogas Project

Capstone Turbine Corp. said it has secured its first C1000 Signature Series order for a biogas project in Taiwan.  Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC), Capstone’s distributor for Taiwan, secured the order.

The biogas-fueled microturbine will be installed at a large piggery. Pig waste is processed through an anaerobic digester to make methane-based biogas, which is then utilized as a renewable fuel by the Capstone microturbine. The microturbines were selected for the project due to their high reliability, low maintenance requirements, low emissions and use in other biogas applications across the globe, Capstone said.

According to Capstone’s website, the C1000S has a 1000 kW rating, electrical efficiency LHV of : 33% and combined heat and power efficiency up to 90%.  It has a voltage range of 400 to 480 VAC, 50/60 Hz frequency.  The unit is 117 in. (3.0 m) wide, 360 in. (9.1 m) deep, with a height of 114 in. (2.9 m)  

The unit net heat rate LHV of 10,300 BTU/kWh (10.9 MJ/kWh), with a exhaust temperature of 535º  F  (280 ºC) and an exhaust gas flow of 14.7 lbm/s (6.7 kg/s).  The unit can operate on  natural gas, liquid fuels (ultra-low sulfur diesel #2), biogas (landfill, digester), associated gas, sour gas, LPG.

 “AIDC has a successful history of developing the biogas market in Taiwan, and this project further reinforces them as the go-to solution provider for biogas projects in the region. Additionally, with the government’s focus on incentivizing biogas energy projects on these farms, we feel AIDC is well-positioned in the marketplace for further success,” said “We are excited to see our first Signature Series order in Taiwan,” said Jim Crouse, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Capstone.

According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), in 2015 Taiwan imported nearly 98% of its energy needs. On February 20, 2017, as part of the government’s efforts to reduce dependence on imported power, Taiwan announced an $84 million government project to promote and subsidize the production of biogas in piggeries with at least 5000 or more pigs. Pig farming is a major sector of Taiwan’s agricultural industry, with more than 7600 piggeries nationwide.

“This order is significant as it continues to demonstrate our penetration into the expanding biogas market in Taiwan which is government-backed,” said Darren Jamison, president and chief executive officer of Capstone Turbine. “Last year the biogas or renewable energy market made up about 7% of our total revenue but this year’s market success of our new Signature Series product could drive additional revenue in this key market vertical,” added Mr. Jamison.

For more information:  www.capstoneturbine.com