Capstone Turbine Corp (CPTC) announced today that it has received an order for a nationally recognized health care facility totaling approximately $1.2 million of Capstone C65 Micro Turbine® energy systems. The multi-pac cogeneration energy system will be installed in one of their facilities in Southern California.

The 65-kilowatt systems are the latest generation of MicroTurbine energy systems developed by Capstone. In addition to a net power output of 65 kilowatts, the Integrated Combined Heat and Power (ICHP) systems have 80% electrical efficiency, and NOx emissions of less than 5 parts per million. [ more ]

Posted by Mark Anderson at 08:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Northern Power, a subsidiary of Distributed Energy Systems Corp (DESC), has signed an original equipment manufacturing (OEM) agreement with Elliott Energy Systems (Stuart, FL). The agreement gives Northern Power exclusive worldwide rights to incorporate Elliott technologies in the development of microturbine-based products for the oil and gas industry. Northern Power has also signed a distributor agreement with Elliott to sell and service its existing microturbine-based systems. [ more ]

Posted by Mark Anderson at 09:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Fuelcell Energy Inc (FCEL) and Capstone Turbine Corp (CPTC) announced that its patented Direct FuelCell/Turbine® (DFC/T®) achieved a record-setting performance -- establishing a mark of 56 percent electrical efficiency in the sub-megawatt (sub-MW) class for 800 continuous hours during initial testing.

This significantly exceeds the electrical efficiency of other distributed generation technologies of similar size. For example, gas engines have an electrical efficiency of 30 to 42 percent, low temperature fuel cells have an electrical efficiency of 30 to 35 percent and microturbines have an electrical efficiency of 25 to 30 percent. [ more ]

I always love when these small companies get together and build something that is better than their indvidual efforts alone. The system they have built takes directs the excess heat that is generated by the fuel cell and powers a modified Capstone microturbine.

Posted by Mark Anderson at 07:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Capstone Turbine Corp (CPTC) announced that Capstone-branded products have been approved by the General Services Administration (GSA) and are now on the GSA Schedule.

"As a result of our continuing efforts to place Capstone MicroTurbine® products into large market potentials, we have now created an avenue for the sale of Capstone-branded microturbine products to the U.S. government," said Capstone CEO John R. Tucker. "We are very pleased to receive this GSA approval and recognize the importance of being qualified as a GSA Schedule supplier. We have proactively taken this step, and created this opportunity, to provide Capstone products to one of the largest potential distributed generation buyers worldwide." [ more ]

Shares of Capstone rose 11% yesterday on this news and the stock is up another 1% in pre-market trading this morning.

Posted by Mark Anderson at 08:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Capstone Turbine Corp (CPTC) announced that next month the company will begin shipping an enhanced line of 65-kilowatt microturbine models that will replace its popular C60 series of power and heat generators.

The new natural gas fueled C65 and C65-ICHP (with factory-integrated heat recovery) will deliver higher electrical and thermal output without any change to the product's weight and dimensions, which are much lighter and more compact than similar capacity generators. This reduces footprint requirements and enables greater flexibility in indoor, outdoor and rooftop setting. [ more ]

Capstone also released news that the new C65 model will also be retrofitted so that it can use waste gases from landfills and sewage treatment plants as an alternative to natural gas. The stock gapped up this morning over 6% and looks like it is trading nicely off the current near-term support levels of $3.50.

I will be adding to my current holdings of this stock this morning in the Marketocracy mutual fund. This will bring my total up to 2/3rds of my planned holdings for this stock.

Posted by Mark Anderson at 09:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Shares of Capstone Turbine Corp (CPTC) are rising sharply this morning with high volume and gapped up with a gain of over 35% this morning. There is currently no news to cause this increase today and I will be digging deeper to find out what is going on. This is good news for the stock and also the portfolio. My holdings are now up over 50% in about 10 days.

If you were thinking of buying the stock now, you should wait till some news confirms this move.

Update at 12:15 EST: The only news I can find on the this move is from the Yahoo message boards and an expected announcement of Wall Mart working with United Technologies to supply the PureComfort CHP system for a store in Colorado. The UTX system utilizes the Capstone microturbine. I place zero reliance on message board posts and feel that this news is not the reason. I will keep digging.

Update at 1:25 EST: The Wall Mart story has been confirmed. At least the rumour of a potential big purchase by Wall Mart story has been confirmed. Well even message board posters can get it right sometimes.

Shares of Capstone Turbine Corp (CPTC) , a maker of microturbine generators powered by natural gas, jumped 36 percent on Tuesday on a television report that Wal-Mart Stores Inc. will place a big order for the company's machines. [ more ]

Update at 5:30 EST I should have known this was a Jim Cramer induced rally. He was the one that floated the Wall Mart rumor last night on his TV show. I don't watch him and don't like his hype. The hype is great for traders because it create volatility. So I fully expect this stock to settle back down over the coming weeks as large owners take profits. If you don't have a position in the stock and want to own it for the long term, I would wait and buy below the $3.00 level. I do believe in this company and I have no plans to sell my holdings, I just would not be a buyer at this price level.

Posted by Mark Anderson at 09:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This morning I purchased shares of Capstone Turbine Corp (CPTC) in both my personal portfolio and the mutual fund. I have been waiting for the stock to show some strength after its recent declines. The stock appears to have some nice support at the $2.25 level as a bottom. They will be announcing quarterly earnings on November 10th.

Capstone Turbine developments and manufactures microturbine generators. The company’s microturbines can also be used as generators for hybrid electric vehicle applications. It also offers Model C60 integrated combined heat and power systems (CHP). A one third stake have been purchased at an average price of $2.75.

DISCLAIMER: I am not a registered investment advisor. The information and trades that I provide here are for informational purposes only and are not a solicitation to buy or sell any of these securities. Investing involves substantial risk and you should evaluate your own risk levels before you make any investment. Past results are not an indication of future performance. Please take the time to read the full disclaimer here.

Posted by Mark Anderson at 10:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

My nine year old daughter still receives Highlights magazine in the mail on a monthly basis. If you have a child and have ever spent any amount of time in a pediatricians office, you have probably logged a fair amount of time flipping through this magazine while waiting to see the doctor.

This weekend I was at home flipping through the November issue of Highlights and was very surprised to find an article about Microturbines.

The introduction gives the basics of how a turbine works. Then the single page article give a very good description of how you can take jet engine technology and shrink it down to provide electricity.

Engineers had to solve several problems to squeeze a jet engine down to the size of a microturbine... Today, a microturbine can fit inside a cabinet the size of a big refrigerator. It makes enough electricity for 10 to 15 homes and helps heat them as well.

The amazing idea for me is that it wasn't an article about solar power, or even fuel cells. I understand they may have already covered those topics in past months, I was very surprised and happy to see an introduction to a small niche player in the alternative energy sector. It is also a good indication about this represents the wave of the future. This children's magazine is doing a good job about introducing new ideas and concepts to our children. We are starting to present the wonders of science and alternative energy to the next generation at a young age and I feel this is a great idea.

I'm sure Capstone Turbine Corp (CPTC) is pleased and maybe Keith can let me know if they had a hand in helping to write the article (hint?)

Posted by Mark Anderson at 07:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Capstone Turbine Corp (CPTC) shares closed the day with a loss of 11.38%. The company said it may end its OEM partnership agreement for its microturbine products with UTC Power LLC (United Technologies UTX.)

From MarketWatch:

Capstone cited certain breaches, including UTC's failure to meet its sales targets for the year, as reason for the potential termination of their OEM deal. Capstone said it has notified UTC that it has 90 calendar days to cure the breaches. [ more ]

The first question that you may ask is, why would this affect Capstone?

The first way to answer this is that Capstone is in the business of developing and manufacturing their microturbine technology. They realized that their core competency was in creating the products, they were not in the business of marketing and commercializing it. This is why they partnered with United in the first place. If they cancel the partnership with UTX, where are they going to sell their products and who is going to be selling it? They could have the most wonderful and most valued products in the world, but if they can't sell them then the current valuations on this stock are too high. Hence the large decline today.

An even simpler explanation is that, this stock has been a huge mover over the last couple of months. It could be as simple as taking profits on your 500% gain from this month?

I still believe in this company and it has been on my short list for purchase. I was just looking for a good entry point. I'm not sure this is it, since it could go much lower. I would love to hear from them about a potential replacement to UTX if it comes down to it. Right now the notice has been sent and they have 3 months to fix any problems so this could all be just posturing.

I will be closely looking at the trading of this stock on Monday after this news and any additional news is digested over the weekend. We shall see.

Posted by Mark Anderson at 04:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Capstone Turbine Corp (CPTC) said third parties have recently expressed interest in taking over the company. The company said its board has adopted a stockholder rights plan to ensure equal treatment in the event of a takeover attempt. It said its goal is not to prevent an acquisition but to deter coercive takeover tactics. [ more ]

Posted by Mark Anderson at 11:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Capstone Turbine Corp (CPTC) received orders for 2.4 megawatts of its 60-kilowatt microturbine systems from the company's Brooklyn sales and service office for customers in New York and New Jersey.

These most recent orders are direct sales for Capstone, which will supply, commission and service the systems destined for several locations in the New York and New Jersey region. These units will fulfill various application requirements such as baseload power for daily energy cost reduction, combined heat and power (CHP), back-up power, direct exhaust for food processing and high-pressure steam generation. [ more ]

Posted by Mark Anderson at 08:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Capstone Turbine Corp (CPTC) announced a follow-on order from its distributor in France for 2.8 megawatts of its 30-kW biogas-fueled microturbine products. The new order from Soffimat (www.soffimat.com) is the second major order from the Paris-based energy systems distributor. The previous order seven months ago was for one megawatt of Capstone MicroTurbine(TM) energy systems. [ more ]

Posted by Mark Anderson at 02:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Capstone Turbine Corp (CPST) announced follow-on orders from distributors in Italy and in Russia amounting to 3.2 megawatts of its 60-kW microturbine products.

Capstone's distributor in Russia, BPC Energy (www.capstone.ru), has issued an order for 1.8 megawatts of self-starting, stand-alone microturbine power systems to be deployed at a prestigious ski resort near St. Petersburg. The microturbines will be the sole source of power and heat for a luxury hotel and other facilities of the remote, off-grid resort. The array is anticipated to be online later this year in time for the ski resort's high season. [ more ]

Posted by Mark Anderson at 09:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Samsung Corporation placed an order for 1.5 megawatts of microturbines with Capstone Turbine Corp (CPTC) in a deal worth more than $1 million.

Samsung Corporation, the Korean distributor of Capstone MicroTurbine(TM) combined heat and power systems, will install four C60 models at their Samsung Plaza headquarters, 11 at a hospital and 10 at a high-rise apartment complex. Two Capstone C30 units will be deployed in a biogas application project.

Posted by Mark Anderson at 06:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

FPL Group Inc (FPL) announced that it is working in cooperation with the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and the state's Tomoka Correctional Institution to study microturbine energy technology. The project places a microturbine at the Tomoka Correctional Institution in Daytona Beach.

Microturbines are small combustion generators that efficiently create heat and electricity on-site, conserving grid power. About the size of a refrigerator, the natural gas fueled microturbine at Tomoka has extremely low emissions of smog-forming NOx and other pollutants compared to other energy sources. The Tomoka project is grid-connected to FPL's electric system. It will heat water for the laundry area at the correctional facility. [ more ]

Posted by Mark Anderson at 08:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Keeping an eye on next generation energy technologies a pair of Aussies are now producing micro turbines that can be used to generate power for many MEMS systems. [ full story at theage.com.au ]

You can learn more about micromachines and microturbines at the following Economist.com link. [ Micromachines: The Engines of Lilliput ]

Posted by Mark Anderson at 01:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)