New Home Generator Might Unhook Us From Power Lines

1998 - Volume #22, Issue #4, Page #13

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A new farm-size mini power plant has the potential to revolutionize the way the world generates electricity, say backers of Capstone Turbine Corporation's new "MicroTurbine".
Investors in the new company include the world's richest man, Microsoft's Bill Gates, and Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen. In the 1980's, these men said every home would have a computer but no one believed them. Now they're saying the same thing about Capstone's new do-it-yourself generator and no one's sure quite what to think.
People who have seen it say that Capstone's MicroTurbine is an engineering marvel.
The compact, drum-shaped unit weighs 870 lbs. and measures 45-in. long, 26-in. wide and 84-in. high. It has just one moving part - a shaft that spins on a cushion of air at 96,000 rpm's. What makes it unique is that virtually no lubrication or regular maintenance is required.
The unit can be turned on or off without fear of overheating or wear and tear.
The first units built are sized to power a farm or small factory, or a number of average-sized houses. It can be fueled by gasoline, diesel, or natural gas. Up to 80 percent of the fuel is turned into electricity.
Research on prototypes over the last three years suggests that the unit produces power at 4 1/2 to 5 cents per kW hour, compared with an average cost of 7 cents for commercially-produced power in the U.S., the company says.
Besides generating electricity for homes and shops, microturbines can also be used to power vehicles. One unit is already being tested in a hybrid electric bus.
Commercial availability of the microturbine is expected late this year. Different-sized units will be available and price will depend on configuration and application. Industry watchers have suggested that while the mini-generators may produce cheaper electricity at first, if they catch on they will force power companies to lower their rates, which would eliminate the price advantage of the home generators. Of course, their price may drop, too, as demand in-creases.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Capstone Turbine Corporation, 18700 Oxnard Street, Tarzana, Calif. 91356 (web site: www.capstoneturbine.com).

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New Home Generator Might Unhook Us From Power Lines ENERGY Alternative Fuels 22-4-13 A new farm-size mini power plant has the potential to revolutionize the way the world generates electricity, say backers of Capstone Turbine Corporation's new "MicroTurbine". Investors in the new company include the world's richest man, Microsoft's Bill Gates, and Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen. In the 1980's, these men said every home would have a computer but no one believed them. Now they're saying the same thing about Capstone's new do-it-yourself generator and no one's sure quite what to think. People who have seen it say that Capstone's MicroTurbine is an engineering marvel. The compact, drum-shaped unit weighs 870 lbs. and measures 45-in. long, 26-in. wide and 84-in. high. It has just one moving part - a shaft that spins on a cushion of air at 96,000 rpm's. What makes it unique is that virtually no lubrication or regular maintenance is required. The unit can be turned on or off without fear of overheating or wear and tear. The first units built are sized to power a farm or small factory, or a number of average-sized houses. It can be fueled by gasoline, diesel, or natural gas. Up to 80 percent of the fuel is turned into electricity. Research on prototypes over the last three years suggests that the unit produces power at 4 1/2 to 5 cents per kW hour, compared with an average cost of 7 cents for commercially-produced power in the U.S., the company says. Besides generating electricity for homes and shops, microturbines can also be used to power vehicles. One unit is already being tested in a hybrid electric bus. Commercial availability of the microturbine is expected late this year. Different-sized units will be available and price will depend on configuration and application. Industry watchers have suggested that while the mini-generators may produce cheaper electricity at first, if they catch on they will force power companies to lower their rates, which would eliminate the price advantage of the home generators. Of course, their price may drop, too, as demand in-creases. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Capstone Turbine Corporation, 18700 Oxnard Street, Tarzana, Calif. 91356 (web site: www.capstoneturbine.com).

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